Focusing on sustainability and a circular economy in healthcare

Establishing a more sustainable environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are critical priorities for countries and various industries around the world. This imperative for sustainability arises from the necessity to avert the exhaustion of natural resources in the future. However, human activities are responsible for almost all the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the last 150 years.^[1] To create a more sustainable society, individuals and industries are working collaboratively to be socially responsible and focus on environmental protection for a healthier planet and its inhabitants.

Moving towards a circular economy in radiology and across healthcare

The healthcare sector is concerned about reducing its current contribution to worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Healthcare facility operations necessitate on-site energy consumption for heating fuels and electricity but also depend on energy-intensive services like medical imaging devices. These devices necessitate substantial energy inputs throughout their manufacturing, transportation, and operational phases, but leaders in medical imaging are pioneering changes for a more sustainable future.

Supporting a circular economy and focusing on sustainability initiatives in radiology requires planning and foresight. There’s often a balance that’s needed within this focus, while prioritizing important clinical goals of providing high-quality care and improving patient outcomes, along with integrating sustainable practices.  The development, application, and implementation of successful sustainability initiatives throughout the medical imaging industry can help hospitals and care providers improve efficiency, while potentially reducing costs. 

In an engaging panel discussion presented by GE HealthCare, Kelvin Sanborn, ESG Program Leader at GE HealthCare, shed light on the company's ongoing commitment to sustainability, specifically within the medical imaging industry. Over the past two decades, GE HealthCare has been proactive in applying the principles of the circular economy, helping to influence innovation across its approach to lifecycle management. Recently, GE HealthCare shared its key focus areas and future goals in its inaugural Sustainability Report since becoming an independent company in January 2023.

"In the realm of environmental stewardship, GE HealthCare's commitment to the circular economy is a holistic philosophy,” said Sanborn. “From crafting dependable and easily maintainable equipment to orchestrating a streamlined service infrastructure, fortifying a resilient and sustainable supply chain, to the active engagement in recycling, refurbishing, and reselling pre-owned equipment, every facet is meticulously aligned with our sustainability goals. Embracing this approach not only defines our environmental responsibility but reaps tangible rewards, evident in the reduction of our carbon footprint. Through innovative measures such as upgradable imaging platforms, remote access and maintenance capabilities, we’re creating a greener and more efficient future."

Collaborating for a sustainable future in medical imaging

Michael Schmit, the Director of Lifecycle Solutions Technologies at GE HealthCare, emphasized the important need for the company's collaboration with industry organizations and governance bodies to drive the sustainability conversation globally. Keeping in close contact with trade associations like the Global Diagnostic Imaging Trade Association, AdvaMed, the Remanufacturing Industries Council, and the World Economic Forum, GE HealthCare continually shares its sustainability initiatives within working groups and workshops to both influence and align with the evolving standards and expectations set by these important entities.

“Globally, we see a significant increase in standards development as well as working groups and workshops as it relates to sustainability,” said Schmit. “They’re asking us to share information on our sustainability statistics, initiatives, and goals. And it’s critically important that there’s consistency and transparency when it comes to sustainability metrics.”

Optimizing future forward environmental design to minimize environmental impacts

As the discussion delved deeper into designing for environmental sustainability, Zhu Li, the General Manager of the Global 1.5 Tesla Segment for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at GE HealthCare, highlighted how environmental impact is at the forefront of GE HealthCare’s product development strategy.

“Consideration of environmental impact is definitely a centerpiece of GE HealthCare’s product development,” said Li. “Not only are we looking at designing our products for extended product life cycles, but we’re also aiming to reduce the waste throughout the product’s life. For example, in our SIGNA™ Hero 3T MRI, we were able to reduce as much as 67 percent of the helium needed for the system*, which is a very rare natural resource.”

Additionally, Li explained the intelligent magnet technology weight was halved, resulting in a savings of transportation energy. This commitment to eco-design also extends to packaging, with the use of recyclable materials for packaging contrast media, helping to reduce greenhouse gases and energy consumption.

Innovating to extend the life of medical imaging systems

A major focus of GE HealthCare's sustainability efforts lies in extending the lifecycle of its equipment. Siva Balakrishnan, the General Manager of Lifecycle Solutions for GE HealthCare, emphasized the role of upgrades and lift programs in achieving this goal.

“Upgrades and lifts are great ways for us to extend our product life,” Balakrishnan explained. “With recent advances in our technology and design, we are able to provide a variety of upgrade and lift programs that are not only able to extend the product’s life, but also enhance the product life to further improve the clinical outcome.”

With the company’s SIGNA™ MRI platform, customers can access on-site and in-room upgrades to installed SIGNA™ systems that would allow a transformation of their older systems with entirely new system electronics, coils, and workstations. The system’s bore size can also be increased, giving patients extra room during the scanning process.

“Upgrading a system,” explained Balakrishnan, “without removing the magnet can allow customers the ability to access our latest applications, coils, and clinical offerings in a very cost-effective and efficient way.”

Installing a transformed MR system means minimal disruption to daily practice with less downtime, so providers can remain focused on patient care.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning image reconstruction technologies are also available as an upgrade to existing installed systems, so users can access state-of-the-art technology and image reconstruction without having to purchase new systems.

Sustainability and life cycle management

The panel also highlighted the significance of the refurbished and certified equipment programs in supporting a circular economy. GE HealthCare's Gold Seal program, with certified pre-owned options, has been a cornerstone serving the industry for over 30 years. By remanufacturing and refurbishing products, GE HealthCare provides customers with value-conscious options, minimizing environmental impact and meeting sustainability goals.^[2]

In addition to its refurbishing efforts, nearly 75,000 installed systems are repaired globally, supported by components that have been harvested from systems being replaced, contributing to the extension of both equipment and component lifecycles. The company is actively working towards minimizing landfill waste, with 90 percent of materials returning through recycling processes, thus contributing to the broader goal of a sustainable and circular healthcare economy.

Leading the way to a more sustainable healthcare economy

GE HealthCare's dedication to sustainability goes beyond rhetoric, manifesting in concrete actions that echo throughout its approach. From eco-conscious design principles to innovative upgrade programs and a robust system for refurbishing and recycling, GE HealthCare is not only contributing to a circular economy in healthcare but is also setting an inspiring example for creating a more sustainable future.

RELATED CONTENT

View the exclusive presentation: Focusing on Sustainability and Circular Economy in Radiology.

DISCLAIMERS

Not all products or features are available in all geographies. Check with your local GE HealthCare representative for availability in your country.

*Based on Hero 3T data on file (2021).

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