Sustainable bulk anonymisation technology helps reduce electricity consumption
Healthcare is responsible for around 4.4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to non-governmental organisation Healthcare Without Harm. Imaging departments powered by energy-intensive PACS contribute a significant share of this, says Rosenfield Health. Short-lived hardware cycles and high electricity consumption increase carbon burden, so initiatives that streamline data processing and extend equipment lifespans are vital in steering radiology towards net zero targets, the company says.
The increasing volume of imaging studies and requirement to manage sensitive patient data has meant that bulk anonymisation has emerged as a compliance necessity and an environmental opportunity.
Traditionally, anonymising images has been a time-consuming task that consumes a lot of power and electricity. Bulk anonymisation can automate this process across thousands of images, enabling PACS managers to reallocate their workload to clinical priorities. Such automation minimises the need for repeat processing, reducing server run-time and lowering energy consumption. By centralising anonymisation profiles, it also improves consistency and auditability across multi-site operations.
Solutions such as the BriX Anonymiser enable true bulk anonymisation, processing thousands of images in a single, automated workflow. A tool like PRIX can help reduce energy consumption and extend hardware lifespan by distributing processing loads efficiently and minimising peak computing cycles, Rosenfield states.
Read this report on page 16 of the August 2025 issue of RAD Magazine.
