{"title":"Carbon footprints in the urologic field: From diagnosis to surgery.","authors":"Jongsoo Lee, Miho Song, Jae Heon Kim","doi":"10.4111/icu.20250004","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change and its effects on society represent an increasingly critical concern. The healthcare industry contributes substantially to carbon emissions and bears responsibility for managing its environmental impact. This review examines recent progress, challenges, and future prospects in reducing the carbon footprint of diagnostic urology without compromising patient care, with particular emphasis on imaging. We analyze the environmental effects of urological procedures and devices, along with practices that can minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting sustainability in healthcare requires a comprehensive approach from manufacturing to disposal, including examination of sterilization-related carbon footprints. This work aims to analyze existing literature on urological carbon footprints, focusing on processes and practices within the field.</p>","PeriodicalId":14522,"journal":{"name":"Investigative and Clinical Urology","volume":"66 2","pages":"106-113"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11885924/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Investigative and Clinical Urology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.4111/icu.20250004","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"UROLOGY & NEPHROLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Climate change and its effects on society represent an increasingly critical concern. The healthcare industry contributes substantially to carbon emissions and bears responsibility for managing its environmental impact. This review examines recent progress, challenges, and future prospects in reducing the carbon footprint of diagnostic urology without compromising patient care, with particular emphasis on imaging. We analyze the environmental effects of urological procedures and devices, along with practices that can minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting sustainability in healthcare requires a comprehensive approach from manufacturing to disposal, including examination of sterilization-related carbon footprints. This work aims to analyze existing literature on urological carbon footprints, focusing on processes and practices within the field.
期刊介绍:
Investigative and Clinical Urology (Investig Clin Urol, ICUrology) is an international, peer-reviewed, platinum open access journal published bimonthly. ICUrology aims to provide outstanding scientific and clinical research articles, that will advance knowledge and understanding of urological diseases and current therapeutic treatments. ICUrology publishes Original Articles, Rapid Communications, Review Articles, Special Articles, Innovations in Urology, Editorials, and Letters to the Editor, with a focus on the following areas of expertise:
• Precision Medicine in Urology
• Urological Oncology
• Robotics/Laparoscopy
• Endourology/Urolithiasis
• Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction
• Female Urology
• Sexual Dysfunction/Infertility
• Infection/Inflammation
• Reconstruction/Transplantation
• Geriatric Urology
• Pediatric Urology
• Basic/Translational Research
One of the notable features of ICUrology is the application of multimedia platforms facilitating easy-to-access online video clips of newly developed surgical techniques from the journal''s website, by a QR (quick response) code located in the article, or via YouTube. ICUrology provides current and highly relevant knowledge to a broad audience at the cutting edge of urological research and clinical practice.