Philips partners with Jackson Health System to advance sustainable healthcare

USA—Royal Philips and Jackson Health System, one of the largest public health systems in the United States, have revealed the findings of a collaborative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that evaluated the sustainability impact of adopting Philips’ next-generation patient monitoring solutions.

The assessment was conducted across multiple Jackson Health facilities, including Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center, and Jackson South Medical Center in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

According to the study, transitioning to Philips’ patient monitoring systems, delivered through an Enterprise Monitoring as a Service (EMaaS) model, could lead to a 47% reduction in carbon emissions, equivalent to 685.1 tons of CO2e, compared to the previous monitoring systems.

This shift is also predicted to dramatically reduce the use of disposable AA batteries, eliminating the need for an estimated 420,000 units and saving 6.5 million sheets of paper.

Collectively, these improvements could save Jackson Health System approximately $1.2 million over the devices’ 10-year lifespan.

The results suggest that patient monitoring can be a critical component of healthcare providers’ broader carbon reduction strategy.

The LCA data showed that Philips’ IntelliVue and EarlyVue monitors alone could help lower the system’s carbon footprint by 508 tons of CO2e.

Additionally, the elimination of disposable batteries and paper use would further reduce carbon emissions by 177.1 tons.

Before this upgrade, Jackson Health System relied on legacy telemetry monitors powered by disposable AA batteries, which required frequent replacements.

In addition, clinicians had to print patient wave strips multiple times a day, only to later scan them manually into electronic medical records.

In contrast, Philips’ monitors use rechargeable batteries and offer a fully digital wave strip workflow, eliminating paper waste and allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.

In her address, Rosa M. Costanzo, Jackson Health System’s chief supply chain and procurement officer, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to sustainability.

She highlighted that adopting Philips’ patient monitors reduces the organization’s environmental footprint and offers long-term benefits in terms of material usage and cost savings.

This shift to more sustainable technology reflects the balance healthcare systems can achieve between adopting advanced tools and minimizing environmental impact.

Jackson Health System has also incorporated circular economy practices by trading in its outdated monitors to AllParts Medical, a Philips division, for refurbishment and recycling.

This strategy promotes responsible recycling and ensures that no equipment is sent to landfills. Furthermore, the health system has partnered with another organisation to recycle 100% of its paper and battery waste.

In addition, Jeff DiLullo, Chief Region Leader at Philips North America, praised Jackson Health System for its leadership in embracing sustainable healthcare technologies.

He noted that integrating digital solutions to reduce emissions and waste is also enhancing staff productivity and job satisfaction.

DiLullo expressed optimism that, together, these initiatives can improve patient outcomes while supporting a more sustainable future for the planet.

The LCA, which included data collecting, on-site interviews, and extensive analysis, evaluated 2,887 bedside, telemetry, transit, and spot-check monitors throughout their lifecycle, from manufacture to disposal.

The review considered the environmental implications of resource extraction, manufacture, transportation, usage, and end-of-life processes, offering a comprehensive overview of healthcare technology sustainability.

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