Optimizing Energy Use in CT and MRI: From Definitions and Measurement to Operational and Protocol Efficiency
Description
As healthcare systems place increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability, diagnostic imaging modalities – particularly CT and MRI scanners – represent a significant opportunity for reducing energy consumption. However, the terminology and implementation of energy-saving modes vary widely across vendors, making it difficult for medical physicists to assess appropriateness, compare, and optimize energy use in clinical practice. This session will define the various energy-saving modes available across major CT and MRI vendors, including how they operate, their naming conventions, and transition times between power states. Discussion will also include efforts toward developing a common nomenclature to promote a cohesive understanding of these modes and their practical integration into clinical workflows. Accurate measurement of system energy consumption is critical to identifying opportunities for improvement. The session will describe methods for installing and configuring energy meters, identifying appropriate collaborators for implementation, and ultimately quantifying energy consumption. Baseline measurements for common protocols and anatomical regions will also be presented. Finally, the session will address energy-efficient imaging strategies, demonstrating that substantial energy savings can be achieved without compromising diagnostic image quality. By improving awareness, harmonizing terminology, and sharing measurement and optimization methods, this session aims to equip medical physicists with practical tools to lead sustainability efforts in diagnostic imaging.