{
  "abstract": "Introduction Endoscopy departments are recognised as high-carbon producers within NHS trusts, with paper use representing a modifiable source of environmental impact. The Joint Advisory Group in GI endoscopy has highlighted the importance of sustainable interventions in endoscopy and progress towards greener endoscopy is considered as part of its annual assessment of units. Locally, several sustainable interventions have already been made and, most recently, we have tried to move towards digital patient information leaflets to reduce paper waste.Methods This was a single-centre pilot initiative and quality improvement project. The number of paper information leaflets for 6 common gastrointestinal conditions (colonic polyps, diverticulosis, Barrett’s oesophagus, reflux, coeliac disease and Helicobacter pylori) given to patients following their endoscopic procedure was recorded over a 2-week period. A QR code was then created for each leaflet taking patients to the relevant webpage and allowing them to download it on their mobile device. These QR codes were displayed in patient recovery areas with posters explaining the greener endoscopy initiative. A second 2-week data collection was then completed where the number of paper information leaflets given out and QR codes scanned was recorded.Results In the first collection period, a mean of 14 (range 8-20) paper leaflets were handed out per day. Following the intervention, the daily number of paper leaflets given out was significantly reduced to a mean of 9 (range 4-17, p < 0.05), whilst the overall provision of patient information (as paper leaflet or QR code) remained the same (mean 14, range 10-21, p = 0.76) ( figure 1). The observed paper reduction corresponds to an estimated annual carbon saving of ~10-15 kg CO2e. Initial cost savings for this pilot intervention are calculated at around £325 per annum.Conclusion This pilot initiative, introducing QR code-based digital patient information, significantly reduced paper leaflet use within an endoscopy service without restricting patient access to this information. It is anticipated that, with further staff and patient education, uptake of digital information could be further increased amongst endoscopy users. The project supports ongoing environmentally sustainable practice and is a low-cost, scalable intervention that can be readily expanded within the endoscopy department as well as to other outpatient services within the Trust. Whilst cost savings were not the primary objective, further uptake of this kind of initiative within ‘paper-heavy’ departments, has the potential to result in significant financial benefits as well as contributing to the overall net zero NHS goal.Abstract P454 Figure 1Daily provision of patient informatio",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Endoscopy Department, Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Henilkumar Patel"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Endoscopy Department, Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Kelly Freeman"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Endoscopy Department, Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Benjamin Crooks"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P454 Progress towards greener endoscopy in a district general hospital: provision of digital patient information - a pilot initiative",
  "uid": "13614e00-f35a-5535-9b1e-682183e245de"
}