Jennifer Gregory argues that investment in single-use endoscopes could help tackle issues around meeting demand, in the wake of the backlog, as well as addressing concerns over infection transmission. She tackles potential concerns around sustainability and highlights some recycling pilot projects that are due to begin this year.
In an NHS struggling with patient backlogs it is hard to imagine that issues as simple as supply of endoscopes can negatively impact busy procedural lists but, unfortunately, they do. The impact this has on delivering patient care is concerning. Despite efforts to improve waiting times, the fact remains that they are still far higher than pre-COVID.1
The NHS faces a substantial backlog in completing patient treatments within the recommended 18-week period but, unfortunately, many patients in need fall short of the NHS's own operational standard. Bed capacity management for inpatients is a key challenge, with delays in endoscopy procedures contributing to the issue. Patients on wards often wait for weekly endoscopy lists, increasing length of stay and aggravating cost burdens related to transportation, administration, and other operational requirements.
The use of reusable endoscopes in the Endoscopy Unit relies on complex infrastructure, resource-intensive staffing, and costly maintenance contracts. However, demand surpasses the capacity - prompting a need for innovative solutions to alleviate diagnostic and therapeutic backlogs.
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