Reducing the environmental impact of the radiology department
This project aims to reduce the environmental impact of medical imaging. Radiology, or medical imaging, has a significant environmental impact, including through energy consumption, and the production of medical waste like contrast media. The project aims to address these impacts by increasing awareness among health professionals and implementation of sustainable practices.
Suggested citation
El-Jalbout, R. , Rypens, F, Abi-Gosn, J, Arnoldo, J, Boucher, D, Machane S. Implementation of a program to reduce the environmental impact of the radiology department. CASCADES (Creating a Sustainable Canadian Health System in a Climate Crisis). September 2024. Available from https://cascadescanada.ca/resources/reducing-environmental-impact-radiology-department
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Other topics
Care pathways
Key actions can minimize the environmental harms of medications throughout their lifecycle and address increased medication-related risks due to climate change.
Many opportunities exist to address the resource intensity of perioperative care while ensuring and promoting high quality care.
Comprehensive person-centered primary and community care can support health and wellbeing and reduce the need for more resource intensive services.
Practitioners across specialties can take meaningful steps to reduce the environmental impacts of their practice and safeguard patient and population health.
Health services can promote health, including by delivering healthy food, effective chronic disease management, and climate-adapted clinical care.
System enablers
Sustainability is intrinsically linked with both quality care and patient safety and can be embedded within these efforts.
Leadership and good governance are needed to develop and deliver effective climate and sustainability strategy.
The shift to climate resilient and sustainable health systems requires accurate assessment of healthcare’s environmental impacts.
Health systems can leverage their purchasing power to influence vendors and shape markets for sustainable and resilient health sector products and services.
Healthy food, digital innovation and effective waste management are among the key enablers of low-carbon, sustainable and climate-resilient health systems.