Medical imaging is one of the biggest energy consumers in hospitals. CT and MRI scanners in particular are very carbon-intensive because they need to be cooled continuously and often remain operational 24/7, even when not in use. However, new research shows that this is not always necessary. By strategically switching off scanners, a hospital can save considerable energy and costs without compromising on the quality of care.
Medical imaging is one of the largest consumers of energy in a hospital. MRI and CT are particularly carbon-intensive, partly because they need to be cooled continuously. Hospital staff typically leave these devices running 24 hours a day, as they are often needed for emergency scans. In addition, switching them off and on again, especially for short periods, also consumes a lot of energy.
Successful field test
Researchers collaborated with the clinical lead for imaging at New South Wales Health Net Zero and tested the effect of smart shutdown in a large public hospital with three CT scanners. One of these scanners was mainly used during the day, but remained on in the evenings and at weekends. By switching off this “surplus” scanner, energy consumption fell by 32 per cent, a saving of around 140 kWh in one week, comparable to the average consumption of a household.
Equally important is the fact that there were no negative consequences for workflow or patient care. Radiologists were able to carry out their work undisturbed, and the hospital also benefited from lower energy costs. This practice has now been implemented in the hospital itself and adopted by other hospitals in the region.
Sustainable care in practice
The project is part of a broader sustainability agenda within the healthcare sector, which aims to reduce CO₂ emissions without compromising quality. Other initiatives focus, for example, on reducing anaesthetic gases, pharmaceutical waste and disposable materials in operating theatres.
Healthcare contributes approximately 2 gigatons to annual CO₂ emissions worldwide. Hospitals and healthcare institutions are therefore faced with the challenge of making their processes more sustainable. This research shows that concrete steps can be taken that yield both financial and ecological benefits.
Towards scalable change
According to the researchers, there are many opportunities for primary and secondary care professionals, who experience the waste and environmental impact of current working methods on a daily basis. With a solid evidence base, changes can be implemented structurally and scaled up.
The results, published in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences show that a net-zero healthcare system is achievable: a system that continues to deliver high-quality patient care, but with significantly less impact on the environment.
Sustainable CT scanners from Philips
One of the global market leaders in MRI scanners and technology, Philips, also offers a much more sustainable and cost-effective alternative with its BlueSeal MRI scanners. More than 1,100 helium-free BlueSeal MRI scanners have now been installed worldwide. First introduced in 2018, this technology is estimated to have already saved 1.9 million litres of liquid helium, a scarce and expensive gas that is traditionally indispensable in MRI technology. Conventional scanners consume up to 1,700 litres of helium, much of which is often lost. BlueSeal magnets, on the other hand, require only 7 litres, which is fully retained even in the event of malfunctions.
In addition to sustainability, the technology also offers practical advantages: the scanners are 900 kilograms lighter and therefore suitable for locations that are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, such as Puerto Rico, where the 1,111th scanner was installed, earlier this year. The innovative EasySwitch technology enables controlled switching on and off, ensuring efficient use of energy and raw materials. The global acceptance of BlueSeal MRIs underlines how sustainable innovations not only contribute to better diagnostics, but can also significantly reduce the ecological footprint of the healthcare sector.
