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GE HealthCare showcases commitment to sustainable innovation at RSNA 2024

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GE HealthCare (GEHC) showcases its commitment to sustainability at RSNA 2024, highlighting progress in reducing environmental impact while advancing patient care. The company achieved a 13% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 and recovered 7,375 imaging machines, resulting in over 15 million pounds of reused material.

Key sustainable innovations include the CT motion syringeless injector, which reduced plastic waste by 84.6% at UW-Madison, and energy-efficient systems like Revolution Apex with Energy Saving Mode 2.0, cutting power consumption by up to 80%. The company also introduced a manganese-based MRI contrast agent as an alternative to gadolinium, addressing environmental concerns.

GE HealthCare (GEHC) dimostra il proprio impegno per la sostenibilità durante l'RSNA 2024, evidenziando i progressi nella riduzione dell'impatto ambientale e nel miglioramento della cura dei pazienti. L'azienda ha ottenuto una riduzione del 13% delle emissioni di gas serra nel 2023 e ha recuperato 7.375 macchine per imaging, portando a oltre 15 milioni di libbre di materiale riutilizzato.

Le principali innovazioni sostenibili includono l'iniettore senza siringa per la tomografia computerizzata (CT), che ha ridotto i rifiuti di plastica del 84,6% presso l'UW-Madison, e sistemi ad alta efficienza energetica come il Revolution Apex con la modalità di risparmio energetico 2.0, che riduce il consumo energetico fino all'80%. L'azienda ha anche introdotto un agente di contrasto per la risonanza magnetica (MRI) a base di manganese come alternativa al gadolinio, affrontando le preoccupazioni ambientali.

GE HealthCare (GEHC) demuestra su compromiso con la sostenibilidad en el RSNA 2024, destacando los avances en la reducción del impacto ambiental mientras mejora la atención al paciente. La empresa logró una reducción del 13% en las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero en 2023 y recuperó 7,375 máquinas de imagen, resultando en más de 15 millones de libras de material reutilizado.

Las principales innovaciones sostenibles incluyen el inyector sin jeringa para tomografía computarizada, que redujo los desechos plásticos en un 84.6% en UW-Madison, y sistemas energéticamente eficientes como el Revolution Apex con Modo de Ahorro de Energía 2.0, que reduce el consumo de energía hasta en un 80%. La empresa también introdujo un agente de contraste para MRI a base de manganeso como alternativa al gadolinio, abordando las preocupaciones medioambientales.

GE 헬스케어 (GEHC)는 RSNA 2024에서 지속 가능성에 대한 의지를 보여주며, 환자 치료를 개선하면서 환경 영향을 줄이는 데 있어 진전을 강조합니다. 이 회사는 2023년에 온실가스 배출량을 13% 줄였습니다와 아울러 7,375대의 이미징 기계를 회수하여 1500만 파운드 이상의 재사용 가능한 재료를 발생시켰습니다.

주요 지속 가능한 혁신으로는 UW-Madison에서 플라스틱 폐기물을 84.6% 줄인 시리니다를 사용하지 않는 CT 모션 주입기와 에너지 절약 모드 2.0을 갖춘 Revolution Apex와 같은 에너지 효율적인 시스템이 포함되어 있으며, 전력 소비를 최대 80%까지 감소시킬 수 있습니다. 또한 환경 문제를 해결하기 위해 가돌리늄 대신 망간 기반 MRI 조영제를 도입했습니다.

GE HealthCare (GEHC) met en avant son engagement envers la durabilité lors du RSNA 2024, soulignant les progrès réalisés dans la réduction de l'impact environnemental tout en améliorant les soins aux patients. L'entreprise a réussi à réduire de 13% les émissions de gaz à effet de serre en 2023 et a récupéré 7 375 machines d'imagerie, ce qui a entraîné la réutilisation de plus de 15 millions de livres de matériaux.

Les principales innovations durables comprennent l'injecteur sans seringue pour la tomographie par ordinateur, qui a réduit les déchets plastiques de 84,6 % à l'UW-Madison, ainsi que des systèmes à haute efficacité énergétique tels que le Revolution Apex avec le Mode Économie d'Énergie 2.0, réduisant la consommation d'énergie jusqu'à 80 %. L'entreprise a également introduit un agent de contraste à base de manganèse pour l'IRM en tant qu'alternative au gadolinium, répondant aux préoccupations environnementales.

GE HealthCare (GEHC) demonstriert sein Engagement für Nachhaltigkeit auf der RSNA 2024 und hebt die Fortschritte bei der Verringerung der Umweltbelastung und der Verbesserung der Patientenversorgung hervor. Das Unternehmen erzielte 2023 eine Reduzierung der Treibhausgasemissionen um 13% und rettete 7.375 Bildgebungsgeräte, was zu über 15 Millionen Pfund wiederverwendetem Material führte.

Wesentliche nachhaltige Innovationen umfassen den spritzlosen Injektor für die Computertomografie, der den Plastikmüll an der UW-Madison um 84,6% reduzierte, sowie energieeffiziente Systeme wie den Revolution Apex mit Energiesparmodus 2.0, die den Stromverbrauch um bis zu 80% senken. Das Unternehmen führte außerdem ein manganbasiertes MRT-Kontrastmittel als Alternative zu Gadolinium ein, um Umweltbedenken anzugehen.

Positive
  • 13% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023
  • Recovered 7,375 imaging machines leading to 15+ million pounds of reused material
  • CT motion injector demonstrated 84.6% reduction in plastic waste at UW-Madison
  • Revolution Apex platform achieves 80% power consumption reduction in low power mode
Negative
  • None.

Insights

The sustainability initiatives highlighted in this article, while commendable from an ESG perspective, have minimal immediate financial impact on GE HealthCare's market position. The 13% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and recovery of 7,375 machines demonstrate operational efficiency but don't significantly affect near-term financial performance.

The most tangible business impact comes from cost-saving innovations like the CT motion syringeless injector, which reduced plastic waste by 84.6% at UW-Madison. Energy-efficient products like Revolution Apex with 80% power consumption reduction in standby mode could provide competitive advantages as healthcare facilities increasingly prioritize operational cost reduction.

However, these developments represent incremental improvements rather than transformative changes that would materially impact GEHC's financial outlook or market valuation.

The technological innovations presented show meaningful progress in healthcare sustainability without compromising clinical effectiveness. The manganese-based MRI contrast agent development is particularly significant, potentially offering an alternative to gadolinium - addressing both environmental and patient safety concerns.

The Energy Saving Mode 2.0 in the Revolution Apex platform and the efficiency improvements in other imaging systems demonstrate practical solutions to reduce healthcare facilities' operating costs. The End-tidal Control software's 44% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from anesthesia represents a notable advancement in reducing healthcare's environmental impact.

While these developments enhance GE HealthCare's competitive position in the medical technology market, they represent evolutionary rather than revolutionary changes in the industry.

  • Determined to reach net zero emissions by 2050, GE HealthCare’s portfolio features environmentally conscious product design, energy efficiency, and technology circularity while continuing to drive advancements in patient care

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As part of a companywide commitment to advance innovation that improves the health of patients and the planet, GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC) is highlighting several solutions with increased focus on sustainability at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2024 Annual Meeting, which is held Dec. 1-4 in Chicago, IL.

“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, 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 becoming an independent company, GE HealthCare has continued to strengthen its legacy of improving the quality of life of people around the world. In 2023, the company reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 13% as part of a strategy validated by the Science Based Targets initiative that seeks to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Additionally, that same year, the company also recovered 7,375 imaging, ultrasound, and surgery machines, leading to more than 15 million pounds of reused and recycled material.

Circulatory and environmentally conscious design
Through initiatives like the Circularity and Environmentally Conscious Design program, GE HealthCare works to extend the lifespan of products to serve customers and patients for as long as possible. For example, in many cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner magnets can be kept in place during equipment upgrades, eliminating the need for a new magnet and reducing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and transportation. When some systems have reached the end of their lifecycle, dedicated teams may be available to manage the recycling and refurbishing to help keep waste out of landfills.

Sustainable innovations in remote scanning and pharmaceutical diagnostics
GE HealthCare also offers technologies that enable remote clinician training and remote patient scanning, such as Digital Expert Access with remote scanning and nCommand Lite by IONIC Health (exclusively distributed by GE HealthCare), which help support sustainability initiatives of hospitals and health systems.

“By leveraging more remote collaboration and scanning options, such as Digital Expert Access and nCommand Lite by IONIC Health, radiology administrators can streamline workflows and increase efficiency,” said Rekha Ranganathan, senior vice president, general manager, Imaging Platforms and Digital Solutions, GE HealthCare. “Having an expert technologist who can support the optimization of scan parameters, as well as improve throughput and reduce patient rescans, could also contribute to energy efficiency in healthcare systems.”

In the pharmaceutical diagnostics space, the CT motion™ syringeless power injector for iodinated contrast media improves patient throughput and greatly reduces overall plastic waste and contrast waste through optimizing contrast administration. A large academic hospital, University of Wisconsin - Madison, compared CT motion with a typical syringe-based injector and found it reduced their plastic waste by 84.6% (~3 tons) and eliminated their contrast media waste (31.3L) over the course of 16 weeks.i*

Additionally, in October, GE HealthCare announced the completion of its Phase I clinical development program for a first-of-its-kind manganese-based macrocyclic MRI contrast agent. Along with its suitable image-enhancing properties, this manganese-based agent could be a viable option to gadolinium, particularly in light of perceived concerns relating to gadolinium retention and the potential impact of post-patient excreted gadolinium in the environment.

Supporting sustainability across the GE HealthCare portfolio
During RSNA, GE HealthCare is featuring innovations designed with sustainability in mind, including:

  • CT motion & MR Max 3™ syringeless power injectors for the CT and MR radiology suite, compatible with multiple contrast container sizes and/or concentrations. These syringeless injectors enhance workflow efficiency, lower plastic waste consumption, and enable contrast optimization through the efficient use of Imaging Bulk Packaging containers, thus further reducing overall departmental cost by reducing contrast waste.
  • SIGNA™ Champion this system is GE HealthCare’s smallest footprint and most power efficient 1.5T wide bore system. Enabling shorter scans times, the system reduces power demands, increases throughput, and enhances the overall patient experience. With its highly scalable platform, SIGNA Champion supports broader affordability, configurability, and upgradability to support services expansion for health systems.
  • Vscan Air this ultrasound system is designed to be refurbished, reused, or recycled at the end of its product life to minimize unnecessary waste. The product is manufactured in GE HealthCare’s Zipf, Austria, a facility that uses 100% renewable electricity.
  • Revolution™ Apex platform – now boasts Energy Saving Mode 2.0, which transitions the scanner into low power mode during extended periods of non-operation to help reduce power consumption by approximately 80% in unit kW, and can achieve over a 30% reductionii in daily energy consumption (in kWh).
  • Revolution™ Ascend platform and Revolution™ Maxima these CT systems within the Revolution family reduce energy consumption by up to 15% and lower indirect carbon emissions by 68% when using energy savings mode.
  • AMX™ Navigateiii this X-ray system battery charges from 0% to 100% in 4.5 hours and can take up to 350 images over 4.6 hours without being plugged into a power outlet.
  • Omni Legend PET/CT this system, when idle, reduces energy consumption by up to 50% when using the standby power mode. In addition, the replacement X-ray tube for the Revolution Maxima can recycle 47% of the mass of the X-ray tube, enabling savings on energy and natural resources.

Sustainability beyond RSNA
In addition to the products being showcased at RSNA, GE HealthCare is furthering its commitment to sustainability by pioneering new breakthroughs to lead the green anesthesia movement. Gasses commonly used for anesthesia are recognized greenhouse gasses that contribute to global warming and can damage the Earth’s ozone layer, and according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, one-quarter of a hospital’s operating room waste is from anesthesiaiv. GE HealthCare’s End-tidal Control** software automatically adjusts and maintains exhaled oxygen and exhaled anesthetic concentrations, with more accuracy in reaching the clinician’s target versus manual control. By significantly reducing anesthetic agent usage, End-tidal Control can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs, compared to conventional manual control. One study showed a potential 44% decline in the rate of greenhouse emissions when employing End-tidal Control software.v

For more information on GE HealthCare’s sustainability initiatives, and these innovative solutions showcased at RSNA, please visit Booth 7330, the company’s RSNA press kit or the GE HealthCare sustainability page.

*Results are unique to UW-Madison's analysis and may not be extrapolated or generalized to other settings.
**End-tidal Control in the United States is indicated for patients 18 years of age and older.

About GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.
GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, dedicated to providing integrated solutions, services, and data analytics to make hospitals more efficient, clinicians more effective, therapies more precise, and patients healthier and happier. Serving patients and providers for more than 125 years, GE HealthCare is advancing personalized, connected, and compassionate care, while simplifying the patient’s journey across the care pathway. Together our Imaging, Advanced Visualization Solutions, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics businesses help improve patient care from diagnosis, to therapy, to monitoring. We are a $19.6 billion business with approximately 51,000 colleagues working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and Insights for the latest news, or visit our website https://www.gehealthcare.com for more information.

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i
Toia GV, Rose SD, Brown Z, Dovalis D, Bartels CM, Bladorn RM, Schluter KL, Lubner MG, Szczykutowicz TP. Consumable Material Waste and Workflow Efficiency Comparison Between Multi-use Syringeless and Single-use Syringe-Based Injectors in Computed Tomography. Acad Radiol. 2023 Oct;30(10):2340-2349. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.05.038. Epub 2023 Jun 26. PMID: 37380534.
ii Energy saving 2.0 according to the COCIR SRI 2015 for CT, which simulate 24 hours of daily use with 20 patients scans and 12 hours in low power mode.
iii AMX Navigate Data Sheet, data on file (https://gehealthcare.box.com/s/s06lwq2w5svpqzzk57vu29qa54vmywzr)
iv https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31920201/
v Tay S, Weinberg L, Peyton P, Story D, Briedis J. Financial and environmental costs of manual versus automated control of end-tidal gas concentrations. Anaesthesia Intensive Care. 2013 Jan;41(1):95-101. doi:10.1177/0310057X1304100116. PMID: 23362897.

GE HealthCare Media Contact:

Karin Dalsin

Global Communications Director

M +1 612-219-2855

karin.dalsin@gehealthcare.com

Source: GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

FAQ

What sustainability goals has GE HealthCare (GEHC) set for emissions reduction?

GE HealthCare aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with their strategy validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

How much did GEHC reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in 2023?

GE HealthCare reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 13% in 2023.

What are the energy savings of GEHC's Revolution Apex platform?

The Revolution Apex platform's Energy Saving Mode 2.0 reduces power consumption by approximately 80% in unit kW and can achieve over 30% reduction in daily energy consumption.

How many imaging machines did GEHC recover for reuse in 2023?

GE HealthCare recovered 7,375 imaging, ultrasound, and surgery machines in 2023, resulting in more than 15 million pounds of reused and recycled material.

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