As part of its commitment to advancing innovation for the health of both patients and the planet, GE HealthCare is spotlighting several sustainability-focused solutions at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2024 Annual Meeting, held December 1-4 in Chicago, Illinois.
With a deep appreciation for the importance of sustainability, at GE HealthCare, we are managing our environmental footprint by integrating sustainability into our business while also decreasing operational costs through energy efficiency and waste reduction, said Roland Rott, president and CEO of Imaging at GE HealthCare. “More than one billion patients worldwide are touched by one of our products or care solutions annually—a responsibility we take very seriously, as the actions we take now will impact our planet and global population for decades and centuries to come.”
Since its separation as an independent company, GE HealthCare has bolstered its legacy of improving the quality of life worldwide. In 2023, the company achieved a 13% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions as part of a Science Based Targets initiative-backed strategy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Furthermore, the company recovered 7,375 imaging, ultrasound, and surgical machines that year, resulting in over 15 million pounds of reused and recycled materials.
Circularity and Environmentally Conscious Design
Through its Circularity and Environmentally Conscious Design program, GE HealthCare works to extend the life of its products, maximizing their utility for patients and healthcare providers. For instance, in many cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner magnets can remain in place during system upgrades, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing and transportation. Additionally, dedicated teams manage recycling and refurbishment for systems that have reached the end of their lifecycle, helping to keep waste out of landfills.
Innovations in Remote Scanning and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics
GE HealthCare also offers technologies that enhance remote collaboration and scanning, such as Digital Expert Access and nCommand Lite by IONIC Health. These solutions support sustainability initiatives by streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency for hospitals and health systems.
“By leveraging remote collaboration and scanning options like Digital Expert Access and nCommand Lite by IONIC Health, radiology administrators can optimize scan parameters, improve throughput, and reduce patient rescans,” said Rekha Ranganathan, senior vice president and general manager of Imaging Platforms and Digital Solutions at GE HealthCare. “This also contributes to energy efficiency in healthcare systems.”
In the pharmaceutical diagnostics arena, GE HealthCare’s CT motion™ syringeless power injector for iodinated contrast media improves patient throughput while significantly reducing plastic and contrast waste. A study conducted at the University of Wisconsin – Madison demonstrated an 84.6% reduction in plastic waste and the elimination of 31.3 liters of contrast media waste over 16 weeks when using the CT motion system compared to traditional syringe-based injectors.
In addition, GE HealthCare recently completed Phase I clinical trials for a manganese-based macrocyclic MRI contrast agent. This innovative agent could provide a sustainable alternative to gadolinium, addressing concerns about environmental impacts and patient safety associated with gadolinium retention.
Sustainability Across the Portfolio
At RSNA 2024, GE HealthCare is showcasing several innovations designed with sustainability in mind:
- CT motion™ & MR Max 3™: Syringeless power injectors compatible with various contrast container sizes. These systems enhance workflow efficiency, reduce plastic waste, and optimize contrast use, lowering departmental costs.
- SIGNA™ Champion: This 1.5T MRI system offers a compact footprint and exceptional energy efficiency. With shorter scan times and increased throughput, it reduces power demands while enhancing patient experiences. Its scalable platform supports broader affordability and upgradability for health systems.
- Vscan Air: Designed for refurbishment, reuse, and recycling, this ultrasound system minimizes waste at the end of its lifecycle. Manufactured in a facility powered by 100% renewable electricity, it exemplifies GE HealthCare’s sustainability goals.
- Revolution™ Apex platform: Featuring Energy Saving Mode 2.0, this system can lower power consumption by approximately 80% during idle periods and achieve over a 30% daily energy reduction.
- Revolution™ Ascend platform and Revolution™ Maxima: These CT systems reduce energy consumption by up to 15% and lower indirect carbon emissions by 68% when using energy-saving modes.
- AMX™ Navigate: This X-ray system charges fully in 4.5 hours and can capture up to 350 images over 4.6 hours without needing to be plugged in.
- Omni Legend PET/CT: In standby mode, this system reduces energy consumption by up to 50%. Additionally, its replacement X-ray tube enables recycling of 47% of the tube’s mass, conserving energy and natural resources.
Leading the Green Anesthesia Movement
Beyond RSNA, GE HealthCare is advancing sustainability through innovative breakthroughs in anesthesia technology. Commonly used anesthetic gases are significant greenhouse contributors, and GE HealthCare’s End-tidal Control software aims to address this issue. By precisely managing oxygen and anesthetic concentrations, the software reduces greenhouse gas emissions and costs. One study showed a potential 44% reduction in emissions when using End-tidal Control compared to conventional methods.
For more information on GE HealthCare’s sustainability initiatives and solutions featured at RSNA, visit Booth 7330, the company’s RSNA press kit, or the GE HealthCare sustainability page.
