Research from Philips and Vanderbilt shows how decarbonizing
healthcare also helps to reduce cost
November 29, 2023
Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Chicago,
USA – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX:
PHIA) a global leader in health technology, and Vanderbilt
University Medical Center (VUMC), home to top-ranked adult and
pediatric hospitals in the Southeastern U.S., today announced
initial results of a research collaboration to decarbonize the
health system’s radiology department. The project, which was
initially announced in May 2023, shows that sustainable initiatives
can be both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The
assessment indicated that circular business models, such as
upgrades, can reduce total cost of ownership of an MR system by up
to 23% and carbon emissions by 17%, and for CT, refurbished systems
and equipment upgrades can contribute to reducing costs of
ownership by up to 10% and 8% respectively, and reducing carbon
emissions by 6% and 4% respectively.
Philips and Vanderbilt assessed 13 diagnostic imaging devices
including MR, CT, ultrasound and X-ray, which account for an
estimated 12,000 patient scans per month and found that, over a
period of 10 years, they emit the CO₂ equivalent of approximately
1,000 gas cars driven for one year. In addition, the energy use of
scanners accounted for more than half of the total emissions
released from diagnostic radiology. Other generators of carbon
emissions within the department included the use of medical
disposables, PACS (picture archiving and communication system) and
linen production and laundry.
The assessment showed that both technology and healthcare
practitioners play a significant role in reducing overall
greenhouse gas emissions. For example, 44-75% of energy is consumed
outside of patient scanning time, therefore the research emphasized
the importance of working with staff to improve patient scan
efficiency and industry partners to develop techniques to reduce
carbon emissions between scans. Improving scanning efficiency with
technology including those that are AI-enabled may conserve energy
and reduce unnecessary scan repetition.
“Human health is closely connected to the health of the
environment, and we need to take care of both, which is why we feel
a great sense of urgency to address our carbon emissions and
develop a more sustainable and healthier path forward,” said Diana
Carver, PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiology & Radiological
Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Our collaboration
is leveraging our team’s collective knowledge and expertise to
reveal key learnings that will direct our efforts to cut
emissions.”
Along with implementing a set of prioritized interventions
defined by Philips and VUMC that will support the carbon footprint
reduction of the radiology department, the two organizations intend
to share their findings in a scientific publication, with the
objective of facilitating knowledge sharing and enabling further
improvement of environmental strategies throughout the healthcare
industry.
“It is imperative that healthcare acts quickly, collectively,
and globally to mitigate climate impact. This study challenges
conventional thinking that sustainability increases costs when it,
in fact, does just the opposite. Energy-efficient, circular,
digital and cloud-based technologies can help address climate
change and this research shows that individual behavioral changes
can also play an important role in speeding up global efforts
towards decarbonization,” said Jeff DiLullo, Chief Region Leader,
Philips North America. “Our teams continue to work closely to
define an approach and model that VUMC can leverage, anticipating
results of this research will inspire others to take action.”
During #RSNA23, Dr. Carver presented initial results of this
research in the session “Exposing Sustainable Imaging
Strategies: The Role of Practitioners in Reducing Carbon
Footprint.” Today, Dr. Cassandra Thiel, a lead researcher
on the project, will outline additional research insights in
“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.”
Philips also hosted a virtual Symposium session –
Sustainable Radiology: From Aspiration to Action –
moderated by Jeff DiLullo, featuring leading industry experts
including John Scheel, MD, Professor of Radiology & Radiology
Sciences and Vice Chair of Global Health and Sustainability at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who presented best practices
to help improve care for patients and the planet.
At RSNA, Philips is launching its new ‘care means the world’
brand campaign, highlighting that improving human health and
environmental health go hand in hand. With sustainability embedded
in everything the company does, Philips is leading the way in
innovation to enable healthcare that is connected, inclusive,
accessible and sustainable. Visit Philips at RSNA 2023 for more
information.
For further information, please contact:
Avi DinesPhilips North AmericaTel: + 1 781 690 3814Email:
avi.dines@philips.com
Mark GrovesPhilips Global Press Office Tel: +31 631
639 916 Email: mark.groves@philips.com
Vanderbilt Radiology Communications:Derek
Scancarelli, MASenior Communications
Specialistderek.scancarelli@vumc.org
Jackson Hicks, MSAssociate Communications
SpecialistJackson.hicks@vumc.org
About Royal PhilipsRoyal Philips (NYSE: PHG,
AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on
improving people's health and well-being through meaningful
innovation. Philips’ patient- and people-centric innovation
leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer
insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and
professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their
patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the
Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging,
ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise
informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2022
sales of EUR 17.8 billion and employs approximately 70,700
employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News
about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is the largest
comprehensive research, teaching and patient care health system in
the Mid-South region, with the highest ranked adult and children’s
hospitals in the Southeast by U.S. News & World Report.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, VUMC sees more than 3.2 million
patient visits per year in over 180 ambulatory locations,
performs 91,000 surgical operations
and discharges 79,000 inpatients from its main-campus
adult, children’s, psychiatric and rehabilitation hospitals
and three regional community hospitals. The Medical
Center is the largest non-governmental employer of
Middle Tennesseans, with nearly 40,000 staff, including more
than 3,000 physicians, advanced practice nurses and scientists
appointed to the Vanderbilt University faculty. For more
information and the latest news follow VUMC
on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and in
the VUMC Reporter.
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