Knowledge base document Kitnewcare

Report Description: KitNewCare Milestone 6 Knowledge Base This report, developed under the KitNewCare project, details Milestone 6, a significant achievement in advancing environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral healthcare systems. Using kidney care as a demonstrator, the document outlines the development and deployment of a comprehensive knowledge base and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database. These resources are designed to evaluate environmental, social, and clinical impacts across healthcare pathways, offering a transformative framework for sustainable innovation. The report emphasizes a four-factor LCA model that integrates environmental, social, clinical, and cost dimensions to identify sustainability hotspots, assess intervention impacts, and provide benchmarking tools. Key areas include the life cycle analysis of peritoneal and haemodialysis pathways, waste and water management strategies, and travel reduction initiatives. By leveraging real-world datasets from multiple European regions, this resource delivers actionable insights for healthcare providers, LCA practitioners, and policymakers. Stakeholder collaboration and transparent data collection were central to the methodology, ensuring the report addresses real-world challenges and facilitates evidence-based decision-making. The knowledge base is positioned as a dynamic and continuously evolving resource that supports the EU’s broader goals of reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainable healthcare practices. This report represents a vital step in aligning healthcare delivery with environmental stewardship and patient-centered care, serving as a blueprint for extending sustainable practices to other clinical pathways globally.