Health technology leader Royal Philips and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), renowned for its top-ranked adult and pediatric hospitals in the Southeastern U.S., have dis...
Health technology leader Royal Philips and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), renowned for its top-ranked adult and pediatric hospitals in the Southeastern U.S., have disclosed initial findings from their collaborative research aimed at decarbonizing the health system's radiology department. The project, initially unveiled in May 2023, highlights the dual benefits of sustainability initiatives – being both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The evaluation demonstrated that circular business models, such as upgrades, can slash the total cost of ownership of an MR system by up to 23% and carbon emissions by 17%. Similarly, for CT, leveraging refurbished systems and equipment upgrades can lead to a reduction in costs of ownership by up to 10% and 8%, and carbon emissions by 6% and 4%, respectively.
In their assessment, Philips and Vanderbilt scrutinized 13 diagnostic imaging devices, encompassing MR, CT, ultrasound, and X-ray, which collectively conduct an estimated 12,000 patient scans monthly. The results revealed that over a decade, these devices emit the CO₂ equivalent of approximately 1,000 gas cars driven for one year. Notably, scanner energy usage accounted for more than half of the total emissions released from diagnostic radiology. Additional contributors to carbon emissions within the department included the utilization of medical disposables, PACS (picture archiving and communication system), and linen production and laundry.
The assessment underscored the pivotal roles of both technology and healthcare practitioners in curbing overall greenhouse gas emissions. With 44-75% of energy being consumed outside of patient scanning time, the research emphasized the importance of collaboration with staff to enhance patient scan efficiency. Moreover, partnering with industry stakeholders to develop techniques for reducing carbon emissions between scans was identified as a crucial aspect. The integration of technology, including AI-enabled solutions, was proposed as a means to improve scanning efficiency, conserve energy, and minimize unnecessary scan repetition.
Diana Carver, PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiology & Radiological Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, emphasized the interconnectedness of human health and the environment. Recognizing the urgency to address carbon emissions and pave the way for a sustainable future, Carver stated that their collaboration with Philips aims to leverage collective knowledge to uncover insights guiding emission reduction efforts.
The partnership involves the implementation of prioritized interventions, as defined by Philips and VUMC, to reduce the carbon footprint of the radiology department. The organizations also plan to disseminate their findings through a scientific publication, aiming to foster knowledge sharing and encourage the healthcare industry's adoption of improved environmental strategies.
Jeff DiLullo, Chief Region Leader at Philips North America, underscored the need for swift, collective global action in healthcare to mitigate climate impact. Challenging the notion that sustainability increases costs, DiLullo highlighted the potential of energy-efficient, circular, digital, and cloud-based technologies in addressing climate change. He expressed optimism that the research's results will inspire others to take action, emphasizing ongoing collaboration to define an approach and model for VUMC to leverage.
At #RSNA23, Dr. Carver unveiled the initial findings of this research during the session titled "Exposing Sustainable Imaging Strategies: The Role of Practitioners in Reducing Carbon Footprint." Today, Dr. Cassandra Thiel, a key researcher on the project, will present additional research insights in sessions titled "Spinning Radiology Resources: Balancing environmental and economic considerations with circular business models" and "Shedding Light on Sustainability for Radiologists - A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a Diagnostic Radiology Department."
Furthermore, Philips organized a virtual Symposium session, "Sustainable Radiology: From Aspiration to Action," moderated by Jeff DiLullo. The session featured prominent industry experts, including John Scheel, MD, Professor of Radiology & Radiology Sciences and Vice Chair of Global Health and Sustainability at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Scheel shared best practices aimed at enhancing patient care while also addressing environmental concerns.