What You Should Know:
– Philips and Jackson Health System have released the findings of a collaborative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) demonstrating the substantial sustainability benefits of transitioning to Philips’ next-generation monitoring solutions.
– The study, conducted at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center, and Jackson South Medical Center, revealed a significant reduction in carbon emissions and waste, showcasing the potential for patient monitoring to become a vital part of health systems’ carbon reduction strategies.
Key Findings:
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Philips IntelliVue and EarlyVue monitors helped decrease Jackson Health System’s patient monitoring carbon footprint by 508 tons of CO2e across their entire lifecycle.
- Battery and Paper Savings: Additional reductions of 177.1 tons of CO2e were achieved through the elimination of disposable AA batteries and paper wavestrips.
- Cost Savings: The transition to Philips monitors is estimated to save Jackson Health System $1.2 million over a 10-year device lifetime.
- Sustainable Practices: Jackson Health System has embraced sustainable procurement, trading in legacy monitors for refurbishment and reuse, promoting circularity, and responsibly recycling paper and batteries.
Innovative Technology and Workflow Optimization
The study focused on 2,887 patient monitors, evaluating their environmental impact from production to disposal. The findings highlight the advantages of Philips’ innovative technology and streamlined workflows:
- Rechargeable Batteries: Philips telemetry monitors operate on rechargeable batteries, eliminating the need for hundreds of disposable AA battery replacements each week.
- Digital Wavestrip Workflow: Automated digital wavestrips replace manual paper-based processes, reducing waste and saving clinician time.
“At Jackson Health System, we are committed to sustainable practices that support human and environmental health,” said Rosa M. Costanzo, Chief Supply Chain and Procurement Officer at Jackson Health System. “By transitioning to Philips patient monitors, we can reduce our carbon footprint and bring lasting benefits in materials and costs. This assessment illustrates that health systems can balance the need for advanced technology with environmental sustainability.”