The Effect of Increased Emergency Ultrasound Use on Carbon Emissions Reduction at a Single Teaching Hospital in Taiwan

The Effect of Increased Emergency Ultrasound Use on Carbon Emissions Reduction at a Single Teaching Hospital in Taiwan

Healthcare significantly contributes to global carbon emissions and diagnostic imaging plays a substantial role. To align with the global initiative for carbon neutrality, this study determines the carbon footprint for computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound scans in the emergency department of the study hospital and determines the environmental impact of promoting ultrasound. Data collected from a single teaching hospital in Taiwan between 2021 and 2023 are analyzed.
Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions are calculated for CT and ultrasound scans, based on power consumption. A strategy that prioritizes ultrasound over CT for specific clinical indications is implemented to manage the increase in patient volume. The average CO2e emissions are estimated to be 9.2 kg CO2e per CT scan and 0.000043 kg CO2e per ultrasound scan. ED patient volume increases by 24% over the study period but the use of ultrasound increases by 156.1%, and CT use remains relatively stable so the department accommodates the increased patient load without a proportional rise in imaging-related carbon emissions.
The strategic shift towards increased ultrasound use in emergency diagnostics results in substantial carbon emission mitigation. This method allows for an increase in patient care capacity in an environmentally sustainable way and is a viable model for reducing the carbon footprint for healthcare.