Sustainable endoscopy: Würzburg University Hospital reduces CO2 footprint

In a pilot project, the University Hospital of Würzburg has succeeded in significantly reducing the CO2 footprint in endoscopy. The focus was on consumables. Prof. Alexander Meining initiated the project together with his colleague Dr. Dorothea Henniger.

In an interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, he describes the procedure and results of the project. He also gives an outlook on what further improvements are possible in the field of consumer goods.

Prof. Meining, what measures were implemented through the project?

Prof. Alexander Meining: The first step was to collect data to record the current CO2 footprint at the beginning of the project. The annual CO2 footprint at our department was 63 tonnes.

We examined three areas. For energy, there is a value of zero, because the university hospital uses 100 percent green electricity. For heating, we came up with a value of 36 tonnes of C02 equivalents per year in our department and decided to reduce the room temperature by two degrees.

In the third area, we examined 359 consumer goods that cause around 27 tonnes of CO2. To collect this data, we had to send extensive questionnaires to 40 companies, because there was no data for these indirect emissions. In addition, we developed a calculation tool to determine the CO2 footprint.

What effect did these steps have?

Meining: We discovered that about 70 percent of the consumables such as protective gowns, hoses, slings and wires come from the Far East. With a consulting firm, the material was examined for the proportions of steel, plastic and paper. We also looked at the packaging and transport.

If there was an alternative from a European or German supplier, we switched. For many products this was not possible. After an initial assessment, the effort was worth it, because we were able to save an estimated four to five tonnes of CO2. I think that a savings potential of 30 to 40 percent would be possible.

Why is the focus on measures related to consumer goods?

Meining: There is almost no data on CO2 pollution here. On the other hand, there is huge potential, especially if we look at the whole of Germany. In our hospital, about 8,000 endoscopies are performed annually; nationwide, there are eight million.

There is a sustainability concept at the university hospital and the younger doctors in particular were very interested, as were other departments and hospitals, by the way. One consequence of our work is that we want to make the calculation tool for determining CO2 pollution available online. Manufacturers have also enquired about the calculation tool.

Should there be any changes beyond that?

Meining: Yes. It would be more sustainable if we switched more often to manufacturers of consumer goods in Europe. The CO2 footprint through transport from the Far East alone is about ten times that for Europe.

By switching manufacturers, we could reduce the amount of waste by 16 percent. Despite waste separation, we produce about 70 kilograms of hospital waste per day, only about five kilos are recyclable. With changes in hygiene guidelines, we could reduce hospital waste. Since the pandemic, we have a high proportion of disposable protective clothing and should check whether this really has to be incinerated as hospital waste after every patient contact.

Were there any problems due to the change of supplier for consumables?

Meining: We also recorded complications. The change from one familiar instrument to another did not result in any increased complications, all things considered there were even fewer. So, the integrity of this department has not suffered in any way due to the changes.