Less Waste, Better Care: HMH Tackles Plastic from CT Scans as Part of Broader Green Mission

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is highlighting its commitment to environmental responsibility by exploring innovative ways to reduce waste, part of a broader effort to lessen the healthcare industry's environmental impact.

The healthcare sector, in its mission to heal, paradoxically contributes to environmental challenges. Hospitals and clinics generate a significant amount of waste, a large portion of which is plastic from single-use devices that often ends up in landfills. Recognizing this, health systems are increasingly looking for ways to operate more sustainably. One such innovation involves using bulk CT contrast injectors to cut back on plastic waste.

When patients undergo computed tomography (CT) scans, they often receive a contrast solution to improve image clarity. Traditionally, this contrast is administered using single-use plastic syringes. For a large health system performing hundreds of thousands of these scans annually, the plastic waste from these syringes adds up quickly.

By switching to bulk injectors, a single large container of contrast solution can be used for multiple patients, drastically reducing the number of discarded plastic syringes. Estimates show that converting a fleet of CT scanners to this technology could eliminate nearly 80,000 pounds of plastic waste and save hundreds of thousands of dollars in disposal costs each year. This change can also make the scanning process more efficient, reducing wait times for patients.

"In our imaging departments, we are constantly seeking innovations that enhance both patient care and our own efficiency,” explains Michael Horton, VP of Radiology for Hackensack Meridian Health. “It allows us to significantly reduce our plastic waste stream while streamlining the imaging process for our team. Ultimately, this means we can get patients through their scans more quickly and comfortably, all while being more responsible with our resources. It’s about delivering smarter, higher-quality care."

This type of forward-thinking solution aligns perfectly with Hackensack Meridian Health's system-wide commitment to sustainability. While the healthcare industry has a long way to go, HMH is actively taking steps to reduce its own environmental footprint.

Here are some of the ways HMH is making a difference:

• Reprocessing Medical Devices: The health system has successfully diverted 40,000 pounds of waste from landfills by reprocessing medical devices, a move that also resulted in $1.71 million in savings.
• Investing in Renewable Energy: In a major infrastructure investment, HMH is installing 50,000 solar panels across its 18 hospitals. This project aims to reduce carbon emissions by 10% and decrease electricity costs by 25%.
• National Recognition for Sustainability: Four of HMH's hospitals were the first in the nation to receive a sustainable healthcare certification from The Joint Commission, a testament to their leadership in creating and implementing plans to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
• Greening a Range of Practices: From using certified green cleaning products to investing in energy-efficient upgrades, HMH is integrating sustainability into many aspects of its operations.

These efforts are part of HMH's broader pledge to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The journey to a fully sustainable healthcare system is long, and there is much more work to be done. However, each of these steps, from reducing plastic waste to investing in clean energy, represents a meaningful move toward a healthier planet for all.