Reducing single-use plastic in endoscope cleaning

Over six months in 2023, our Insight Team conducted a real-world evaluation of PlasmaTYPHOON+. We worked closely with frontline staff to assess impact across three key areas:

• Sustainability: How much energy did the innovation use? How much plastic waste did it generate?
• User Experience: Did staff find the innovation easy to use? What training needs did they have?
• Operational impact: Did it speed things up and improve patient care?

To get the full picture, we compared PlasmaTYPHOON+ with two other systems, collecting data through energy monitoring, plastic waste audits, staff interviews, and workflow observations.

What did we find?

PlasmaTYPHOON+ delivered some impressive results.

• Faster drying times meant fewer delays and smoother workflows.
• Staff found it easier to use, with fewer service failures and better team collaboration.
• Workplace stress dropped, with fewer reports of repetitive strain injuries and chemical exposure.

The sustainability benefits really stood out. PlasmaTYPHOON+ used 22 times less electricity than traditional cabinets, saving 4,505 kWh a year - enough to power a typical UK home for over a year. It also cut out 2,623 kg of single-use plastic waste in just 10 months compared to similar products and importantly, saved £107,856.59 during the 2023–24 financial year.

How did our findings bring about change?

The evaluation gave PENTAX Medical solid evidence to tackle implementation challenges at other sites. Even more powerfully, these results are already shaping broader change. As the innovator pushes for updates to existing regulatory guidelines, our evaluation gives them the hard evidence they need to support their case.