The conversation around sustainability in radiology is not a new one, but these talks have heated up in recent years. With the earth’s warmest March on record in 175 years barely in the rearview mirror, a team of radiology experts believes now is the time for the medical imaging field to step up its sustainability efforts.
Medical imaging is estimated to be responsible for 1% of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, Kate Hanneman, MD, MPH, deputy lead of sustainability at the Joint Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto General Hospital, and co-authors explained in an article published in Radiology Tuesday. But there are actionable steps that imaging departments can take to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions, all while potentially reducing departmental costs.
“The familiar concepts of reducing, re-using and recycling can be applied within radiology,” Hanneman said in a release.
Improving sustainability in radiology
The experts suggested that this will require a group effort, with departments establishing sustainability teams that include all relevant stakeholders, such as physicians, managers, IT personnel and technologists. This group will have the most knowledge about the department’s operating procedures and where improvements can be made.
One of the most effective ways an imaging department can reduce greenhouse gas emissions is by curbing the energy it consumes. Switching equipment to lower power modes while not in use could reduce emissions by as much as 33% for MRI systems and between 40% and 80% for CT equipment, the team advised.
Optimizing an exam schedule so that equipment does not sit in an idle mode for too long could help with this as well.
New technology's role
Further, using decision support tools to select an imaging exam that requires less energy and adjusting imaging protocols so that they are shortened, when clinically feasible, could also significantly impact energy consumption. Utilizing the growing availability of low-field MRI systems is one way to make this a reality, Hanneman suggested.
“Expanding clinical low-field MRI application will not only decrease use-phase emissions, but it can also potentially improve global access to MRI,” she said. “Low-field MRI units tend to be smaller and less expensive, and there’s growing recognition they can help address health inequities.”
Other tips include transitioning from disposable to reusable supplies when appropriate, powering down equipment that is not in use, adjusting climate control settings, deploying newer multi-use syringeless contrast injectors and utilizing refurbished equipment (when it is an option) instead of buying new imaging systems.
Of course, not every suggestion will be a feasible option for all departments, Hanneman acknowledged, before encouraging sustainability teams to think creatively about what would realistically work within their organization.
“We propose a coordinated approach and concrete actions radiologists can implement to help sustain the health of the planet and, in turn, improve the health of their communities and patients.”
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.