In healthcare facilities across the UK, the use of disposable medical devices is becoming increasingly common as part of an effort to reduce waiting times, costs and the transmission of infections. However, the use of disposable vaginal speculum in UK is associated with increased solid waste generation and may have negative effects on the environment, such as increased greenhouse gas emissions. This is because samples are not reusable and are thrown away after use.
Purpose of Disposable Vaginal Speculum in UK
We determined the carbon footprints of three different types of Disposable Vaginal Speculum in UK by applying the methodology from Life Cycle Assessment. These included a single-use model made of acrylic and two models made of stainless steel that served multiple different purposes together.
Study Design of Disposable Vaginal Speculum
The functional unit of the study was defined as the successful completion of 20 gynecological examinations using any type of disposable vaginal speculum in UK. Examination of the female vaginal area requires the use of specimens. For the purpose of investigating greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) over the entire life of a product, the SimaPro Life Cycle Assessment program was used. These stages include activities associated with material creation and manufacturing, transportation, use and reprocessing, and product disposal. After finishing this research, the results were later translated into carbon dioxide equivalents.
Results
It was found that reusable stainless steel grade 304 speculums had a smaller carbon footprint than reusable stainless steel grade 316 speculums or disposable acrylic speculums (different reprocessing processes, number of autoclave loadings/uses and efficiency ). This was the case regardless of how often the assumption was used. This was the case regardless of how often it was used. The material production and manufacturing phase was the phase that contributed the most to the total carbon footprint of an acrylic disposable vaginal speculum in UK over its lifetime. On the other hand, the consumption and reprocessing stage contributed the most to the carbon footprints of both types of stainless steel spec.
Conclusion
Although there is no clear difference in the therapeutic value of the two options, the use of disposable vaginal speculum in UK is associated with equivalent amounts of greenhouse gas emissions compared to reusable alternatives. This is despite the fact that there is no difference between the two options in terms of clinical value. These findings can be used to inform decision-making by health care systems. Similarly, analytical procedures can and should be applied to other components of the waste stream generated by the healthcare system. Because health care systems consider a wide variety of factors when making final purchasing decisions, these findings can be used to inform decision-making throughout the health care system.
