WSU professors improve hospital energy consumption
A pair of Wichita State manufacturing engineering professors and their undergraduates are helping hospitals conserve energy.
Professors Michael Overcash and Janet Twomey focused their research on how patient care can be maintained while lowering the carbon footprint.
The team researched at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Wesley Medical Center and Cypress Women's Imaging from 2008 to 2012. Research was aimed at helping radiology departments better use energy for CT scans, MRIs, X-rays and ultrasounds.
It was found that reducing materials used during imaging tests helped. When reusable items such as surgical gowns and drapes were used instead of disposable materials, there was as much as a 700 percent improvement in energy use.
Twomey said the diagnosis of some patient conditions can be done with interchangeable, lower-energy tests such as a CT scan.
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