Have you ever thought about the need for sustainability in radiology? Healthcare plays a vital role in our society, but its high emissions harm the environment. The healthcare sectors of the United States, Australia, England, and Canada emit 748 million tons of carbon dioxide collectively. If this industry were a nation, it would rank seventh in emissions worldwide. In radiology, an MRI scanner running tests on 4141 patients emits as much as 28.5 four-person households.

Eco-conscious radiologists seeking radiology physician jobs may worry about their profession’s impact on climate change and seek ways to adopt greener practices. Today, we’ll explore how medical departments worldwide use cleaner technology to benefit both people and the planet.

Source: Photo by Owen Beard

The First Step Is Tracking

Eco-conscious individuals with a daily upcycling routine know that understanding a problem is the first step to becoming sustainable. The medical industry, especially radiology, has been slow to recognize its environmental impact, but this is changing. Systems nationwide are assessing energy consumption to reduce it.

Engineers at the University of Michigan attached communication cards to MRI and CT machines to monitor energy usage, including idle time. The University of California – San Francisco discovered hospitals could cut CT and MRI energy consumption by 15% to 20% by putting machines in standby, idle, or sleep mode when not in use.

This principle applies to other radiology equipment, including lights, computers, and air conditioning units. Using sleep mode for computers, installing motion-activated lighting, and separating air conditioning units by department can streamline energy consumption.

Patient Scheduling Plays a Role in Sustainability in Radiology

Efficient scheduling can also reduce energy consumption. Continuous patient blocks keep machines in use for a portion of the day, allowing them to idle or be in sleep mode when not needed. Machines can be powered on for emergencies. Radiology departments can work with hospital schedulers to use equipment more efficiently, ensuring patient care while reducing energy use.

Source: Photo by National Cancer Institute

Sustainability in Radiology – It’s Not Just the Machines

Like a consumer reducing household waste, radiology departments can make smaller changes. Most hospitals use single-use iodine bottles for contrast tests, generating thousands of pounds of waste annually. Dr. Reed Omary from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that using bulk iodine bottles and injectors saved his hospital $500,000 annually.

Investing in Energy Efficiency

The University of Michigan collaborates with Energy Star to assess the energy efficiency of MRI, CT, and ultrasound machines. By understanding energy efficiency, hospitals can replace older equipment with eco-friendly options that perform just as well. Although more efficient models have a higher upfront cost, the savings balance over time.

Radiology Departments Have Hard – but Essential – Decisions to Make

Being eco-friendly in medicine is challenging. Reducing low-value diagnostics, where doctors order unnecessary MRI or CT scans, is one option, but it must not compromise patient care. Radiology technicians can still drive change. Since the establishment of eco-radiology in 2014, with the waterhed article “Pulling the plug on wasted energy in the radiology department,” hospitals worldwide have been finding creative solutions. Collaborating with other radiologists and actively participating in equipment procurement can reduce medical waste and improve outcomes for everyone.

Sustainability in Radiology – In Conclusion

Sustainability in Radiology is essential for the future of healthcare. By adopting greener practices, radiology departments can reduce their environmental impact. Energy-efficient equipment, better patient scheduling, and less medical waste are key steps. These changes, driven by eco-conscious professionals, benefit the planet and save costs. As healthcare evolves, sustainability in radiology will ensure we support both patient health and the environment.