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Sustainability

Balancing People, Planet and Prosperity

At IQ Endoscopes, we understand that sustainability is a critical concern, particularly when it comes to single use medical devices. We are committed to continuously improving the lifecycle of our devices through thoughtful design, material innovation and responsible manufacturing. Importantly, our endoscopes will contribute to environmental efficiency in other key areas.

What do we mean by sustainability?

We have a vision of a world where everyone has easy access to safe, sterile endoscopy. Making decisions and actions that will benefit the environment is an important aspect of this. But our aim is to balance this with human sustainability. Maintaining the health and quality of life for present and future generations and ensuring access to healthcare is an equally important.

Sustainability Factors
TIME
CARBON
WATER
ENERGY
HUMAN RESOURCES
CHEMICALS
MATERIALS

The decontamination process

CHEMICALS
WATER
ENERGY
Although existing technology is reusable, the decontamination process for these endoscopes has a significant environmental impact due to its high consumption of chemicals, water and energy.
Reusable endoscopes require thorough cleaning and sterilisation after each use to prevent infections, but this process involves powerful chemical disinfectants that can be harmful to the environment if not properly managed. Large volumes of water are also required in the cleaning process and reprocessing units require substantial energy to operate. The continuous demand for these resources increases the carbon footprint of healthcare facilities, making decontamination a sustainability challenge.

Impact on hospital resources

TIME
HUMAN RESOURCES
Easing the strain on healthcare resources enhances sustainability by optimising the use of staff, facilities and supplies.
When patient care is more efficient, hospitals can free up resources for those in critical need. This leads to a more sustainable use of hospital beds, operating rooms and emergency services, preventing unnecessary admissions and reducing overall costs.

Patient pathways

TIME
CARBON
Improving patient pathways is a crucial step towards creating a more sustainable healthcare system.
By streamlining the care process through faster diagnosis, patients receive timely and effective treatment whilst reducing the need for multiple hospital visits. This then minimises patient travel, leading to lower carbon emissions from transportation.

Patient pathways

TIME
CARBON
Improving patient pathways is a crucial step towards creating a more sustainable healthcare system.
By streamlining the care process through faster diagnosis, patients receive timely and effective treatment whilst reducing the need for multiple hospital visits. This then minimises patient travel, leading to lower carbon emissions from transportation.

carbon benefits from single use endoscopy

CARBON

IQE commissioned a carbon impact evaluation* to compare the benefits of single use endoscopy vs. reusables in specific use cases. The report showed significant reductions in carbon emissions when using single use endoscopy across a range of use cases.

carbon savings

tonnes of CO₂ saved per year from single use endoscopy

302 tCO₂

498 tCO₂

1105 tCO₂

Anastomotic leak checks
Rectal bleed clinics
Off-unit ward savings
carbon reduction
reduction in carbon emissions from single use endoscopy vs current provision

11%

Anastomotic leak checks

48%

Rectal bleed clinics

57%

Off-unit ward savings

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technology
the need
use cases
ABOUT US
technology
the need
use cases
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