Medical students in Wales deliver a quality improvement project to make carbon and financial savings.
Background
The healthcare sector contributes heavily to climate change, producing 4.4% of global carbon emissions. Medical students in the UK must engage in Quality Improvement Projects (QIP) and projects that reduce carbon emissions have the potential for financial, environmental and public health benefits.
With the increasing digitisation of healthcare, more electricity will be required to power computers which contributes to the energy requirements of the healthcare system, a major source of carbon emissions. Computer usage can be optimised to reduce the electricity required to function, particularly reducing screen brightness.
Method
Electricity consumption of the computer model used throughout the hospital was measured with a voltmeter and different screen brightness energy requirements were recorded in Kilowatt hours (kWh). Computer screens in a hospital ward and library were reduced to 40% brightness and the difference in energy use was measured.
Summary of results
Of the 30 computers reviewed, 23 were reduced to 40% brightness, with the remaining 7 at 40% or lower. A total daily saving of 2.76kWh was achieved, equating to 1006.67kWh annually. Using hospital specific figures, this intervention saved approximately 311.06Kg of carbon emissions and £281.87 annually.
A staff survey demonstrated no resistance to the intervention or detrimental impact on screen visibility or patient care.
Discussion and conclusion
This simple project is easily replicable and requires no financial input. The staff survey suggested no negative effects of reducing the computer screen brightness, though this may vary depending on computer model and target level of brightness.
When the findings were presented by medical students at the hospital’s weekly open teaching session, consultants were enthusiastic to replicate the QIP trust-wide, potentially reaching 10,000 computer monitors.
As the project was led by medical students, it demonstrates the potential for students to inspire and deliver change in areas that clinicians may not have sufficient time to explore.
Take-Home message
Medical students are in a unique position to perform sustainable QIPs, can be pioneers whilst on clinical placements and advocate for a transition to a sustainable healthcare system.
- Contributors: Genevieve Wateridge, Raphael Seccombe, Emily Balls, Shiraz Khan, Matthew Lee, Tuqa Tahir (Undergraduate Medical Students). Words by Raphael Seccombe, edited by Genevieve Wateridge and Matthew Lee.
- Institution: Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, Wales.