Nurses' Perception of Introducing Single-Use Gastroscopes in an Operating Theatre

Background Introducing new medical technologies in clinical settings affects workflows and staff experiences. Nurses, as stakeholders, are often impacted by changes in equipment and processes. Understanding these effects is important in the context of global nurse shortages, where improving working conditions may be essential for retention. This study aimed to assess how transitioning from a reusable-only gastroscope setup to a hybrid setup implementing single-use gastroscopes impacts nurses’ perceived organizational conditions. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among nurses working in gastrointestinal operating theatre at Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Denmark. Eligible participants had experience handling both reusable and single-use gastroscopes. The survey, based on the organizational impact framework by Roussel et al., included closed-ended questions across nine domains such as workflow, training, communication, safety, and logistics. Responses were scored on a 0–10 scale and converted to percentages. Paired t-tests were used to compare perceptions between reusable-only and hybrid setups, with significance set at p<0.05. Results Of the 30 nurses invited, 27 (90%) initiated the survey, and 25 completed it and were included in the final analysis. Across all assessed domains, the single-use gastroscope/hybrid setup was rated more favorably compared to the reusable-only endoscope/setup. Work processes (77% vs. 43%, p<0.0001), Cooperation and Communication (80% vs. 53%, p<0.0001), Vigilance and Monitoring (90% vs. 45%, p<0.0001), Logistics (85% vs. 37%, p<0.0001), Training Requirements (60% vs. 45%, p=0.0037), Working Conditions and Safety (73% vs. 37%), and Patient Flow (52% vs. 47%, p = 0.0437). Conclusions Nurses perceived the introduction of single-use gastroscopes as a supplement to the reusable gastroscopes as offering substantial organizational advantages. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating medical devices beyond clinical performance, incorporating organizational and workforce perspectives to support sustainable healthcare delivery. Hybrid implementation models may contribute to improved working conditions and nurse satisfaction, which are critical in addressing workforce challenges.