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Switch It Off! Carbon, Financial and Health Service Impacts of Switching Off a Computed Tomography Scanner: A Quality Improvement Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Medical imaging has been identified as a carbon hotspot in health care, and demand for imaging services is increasing. This study investigated switching off a surplus computerised tomography (CT) scanner when not clinically required as a possible simple and scalable intervention to reduce healthcare emissions. METHODS: This before-after quality improvement study introduced a 'Switch it off' intervention where radiography staff switched off the power to a surplus CT scanner after hours (17:00-08:00) for 7 days ('intervention period': 07/7/2023-13/07/2023). Using a power data logger, power consumption (kilowatt hours, KWh) during the intervention period was compared to 7 days without the switch-off practice ('control period': 24/07/2023-31/07/2023). Financial and carbon emission impacts were calculated based on energy consumption. All CT radiographers working in the department were invited to undertake a pre and post intervention survey. Differences in quantitative data pre- and postintervention were analysed using chi-squared test for independent proportions. Free text survey responses were summarised into themes. RESULTS: e to the carbon budget. Of the 22 CT radiographers invited, 10 (45%) completed the survey, reporting no or trivial clinical impacts from switching off. The proportion of radiographers reporting switching off the scanner when not in use increased by 70% (95% CI: 39%, 100%; p = 0.002) from 10% (1/10) pre- to 80% (8/10) postintervention. CONCLUSION: Identifying and switching off surplus CT scanners in low use times is a simple and scalable intervention that can achieve significant power, financial and carbon savings with little to no impact on clinical workflow.

Source: Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences

DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.896

Authors: Nicholas Marks, Mya Abigail Acosta, Kristen Pickles, Scott McAlister, Katy J. L. Bell

Institutions: Hunter New England Local Health District, The University of Sydney, The University of Melbourne, University of Canberra

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,930