Uncovering the Evidence for Sustainability in Urology: A Scoping Review

This article focuses on the environmental impact of urology devices and procedures in hospitals and identifies practices that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with urology services.

A scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to find studies on the carbon footprint of urologic procedures and sustainable practices.

We identified 14 studies, 6 of which used life cycle assessments to compare the environmental impact of single-use and reusable urology devices. Three studies favored single-use devices, 2 favored reusable ones, and 1 found no significant difference, with the sterilization of reusable devices being a major carbon contributor. To enhance sustainability in urology, 8 articles suggested measures including day-case procedures, minimizing low-value care, drapeless cystoscopy, fluid management systems, using quick response (QR) codes in documentation, telehealth initiatives, and low-emission anesthetics.

Promoting sustainability in healthcare requires more than just using reusable equipment; it necessitates a comprehensive approach from manufacturing to disposal, including the carbon footprint of sterilization. Encouraging low-emission anesthetics, QR codes, and telemedicine can significantly reduce emissions in urology.