Bracco's latest move marks a step toward improving sustainability in radiology
Bracco Diagnostics Inc. is taking a step toward enhancing its sustainability efforts with its latest update to how it delivers some of its products.
The healthcare giant announced the launch of its new "Mini" packaging for its VARIBAR oral suspension products, widely used in Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS). The new packaging aims to improve efficiency in healthcare settings by reducing product waste.
Bracco says that the smaller-volume packaging expands the product’s use to settings with more diverse clinical needs. The compact and biodegradable design also saves storage space and improves transportation efficiency, lowering emissions.
Amy King, Director of Sustainability, commented on its role in reducing waste and the environmental impact of radiology departments.
"This new packaging minimizes product waste, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of healthcare procedures," King said in a release on the announcement. "Compact packaging optimizes storage space and transportation efficiency, further reducing consumption and emissions."
The new packaging will be available for Bracco Diagnostic’s VARIBAR NECTAR (barium sulfate) oral suspension, VARIBAR THIN HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension, VARIBAR HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension and VARIBAR PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste.
The move comes as advocates continue to increase their efforts to improve sustainability in radiology, which has gained a sense of urgency in recent years. Results from a 10-year study out of Vanderbilt presented during the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America revealed that their hospital-based radiology practice emits as much greenhouse gases as nearly 1,100 petroleum-powered cars in a single year.
Vanderbilt's study is one of many that have pulled back the curtain on imaging's environmental impact. Numerous other studies also have analyzed how radiology departments impact an organization’s carbon footprint. And while most of radiology’s carbon emissions come from powering imaging equipment, use of materials during certain exams—barium swallow studies and contrast-enhanced CT imaging, for example—also impact sustainability.
Bracco’s new mini packaging is now available for order.
Learn more about sustainability efforts in radiology below.
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.