"EcoRadiology"--pulling the plug on wasted energy in the radiology department

We sought to evaluate the power consumption of various devices around the radiology department, audit our use of recycling, and review efforts by vendors to reduce the environmental impact of their products.

Using a readily available power monitor, we calculated the power consumption of different devices around our department. In particular, we calculated the financial and environmental cost of leaving equipment on overnight and/or at weekends. When it was not possible to measure energy usage directly, we obtained and reviewed relevant technical manuals. We contacted vendors directly to document how the environmental impact of new technology and decommissioning aging technology is being tackled.

We found that 29 of 43 desktop computers and 25 of 27 picture archiving and communications system (PACS) reporting stations were left on needlessly overnight and/or at weekends, resulting in estimated electrical running costs while not in use of approximately $7253 per year, and CO2 emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of over 10 passenger cars. We discovered that none of our PACS reporting stations supported energy-saving modes such as "sleep" or "hibernate." Despite encouraging staff to turn off computers when not in use, a reaudit found no improvement in results.

Simple steps such as turning off computers and air-conditioning units can produce very significant financial and environmental savings. Radiology can lead the way in making hospitals more energy efficient.