COCIR (the organisation that represents the European Medical Imaging, Electromedical and Healthcare ICT Industry has just launched new guidelines as part of its Self-Regulatory Initiative on eco-design, providing recommendations to users of Computed Tomography scanners on how to save energy. These recommendations come at a time when energy-saving is at the top of healthcare authorities’ agendas, both for environmental and economic reasons. The methodology, developed by COCIR, measures the energy consumption of CT equipment, which is then used to calculate available savings, following the recommendations.
The document is available free for download from the COCIR website. COCIR is confident that the new initiative will help purchasers make appropriate decisions on buying energy-efficient CT equipment and will help train healthcare professionals in using the equipment in a more energy-efficient way. Nicole Denjoy, COCIR Secretary General, added “COCIR’s study shows that energy use from medical equipment can be reduced by 50% if these guidelines are followed. Simple steps like using low power modes and switching equipment off overnight can save hospitals and clinics on their energy bills and their carbon footprint
Raising broader awareness of the medical imaging industry’s contribution to fighting cancer.
In a separate announcement, COCIR announced that it wanted to raise public awareness of what the sector (medical imaging and health ICT) is contributing to the fight against cancer,. This is generally through the provision of solutions for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of the devastating, ever-increasing chronic disease.
The improved treatment options and the increase in survival rates are largely due to the advances in diagnosing certain cancers at early stage. Not only do product and services delivered by COCIR industries support the early diagnosis of cancer, but these technologies play a paramount role in therapy control by enabling a range of less invasive,highly targeted therapies and by visualizing the patient’s response to it.
Nicole Denjoy, COCIR Secretary General, said: “Cancer is on the rise, with 3 million new cases diagnosed each year in the European Union. However, nearly 40% of all cancer cases could be prevented with healthier lifestyles and better treated by more systematic deployment of early detection systems. Innovation in medical technology is bringing new and efficient responses to citizens and cancer patients” she added,
COCIR,
Brussels, Belgium