Download Refurbished Medical Imaging Equipment

Refurbished Medical Imaging Equipment:
Sustainable, Safe, and Effective
Andrew Northup, Director, Global Affairs, MITA
T
he Medical Imaging Technology Association (MITA) promotion of good
refurbishment practices for medical imaging equipment stresses the
benefits for patients and healthcare providers.
This is for good reason: a large, regional hospital focused on
neurology or cancer treatment may opt to purchase the latest
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography
(CT) scanner every few years, even though the “old” equipment
is still completely capable of providing high-quality diagnostic
images and may have up to a dozen or more years left if in its
expected service life.
The environmental benefits of refurbishing medical imaging
equipment are certainly worth touting as well. By extending the
useful life of medical imaging equipment, from 5–7 to 10–14
years or even more, refurbishment is a form of reuse and waste
prevention, contributing to a circular economy.1
Refurbishment saves the energy and the materials used to
produce new equipment. Considering the energy and materials
used in the manufacturing, safety testing, and regulatory
compliance processes of imaging scanners, it is important, from
an environmental standpoint, to extend their service life as
much as possible.
Consequently, when a manufacturer properly refurbishes a
used system, the end result is a medical imaging device that is
as safe and effective as new. In turn, high-quality refurbished
systems represent a viable diagnostic imaging upgrade option
for hospitals seeking to stretch their budgets to purchase stillexceptionally good equipment.
Standardizing Safety
This inspired MITA to draft NEMA/MITA 1-2015 Good
Refurbishment Practices for Medical Imaging Equipment. When
medical imaging equipment is refurbished in accordance with
NEMA/MITA 1-2015, medical device regulators, healthcare
providers, and patients can be assured that the patients will be
safe and the doctors will have high-quality images to help direct
their care.
Extending the life of devices and preserving valuable
resources has resulted in CO2 savings of 150,000
tons over the past 10 years.
As an example, a modern MRI scanner can weigh 13 tons,
including huge magnets and highly advanced and intricate
technological components, as well as plastic and metal
coverings, patient gantries, and other supporting equipment.
There are some 25,000 MRI systems installed worldwide.
By refurbishing these scanners and extending their service
life, the return on the initial investment of energy and
materials is maximized. The majority of the components
A circular economy refers to an industrial economy that produces no waste and pollution.
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NEMA electroindustry • March 2016
New Era of Sustainability
stay in place. This is in contrast to recycling the parts and
materials of decommissioned equipment. Approximately 90
percent of material for a system undergoing refurbishment
can be re-used; only 10 percent of material has to be recycled,
which is done using environmentally-friendly processes by a
network of facilities specializing in reclaiming rare, valuable,
and hazardous materials. Extending the life of devices and
preserving valuable resources has resulted in CO2 savings of
150,000 tons over the past 10 years.
Addressing Global Sustainabiity
The largest, most mature markets for refurbished equipment
are North America and Europe; both regions are capable of
efficiently reusing advanced technology components at the end
of the equipment’s service life. MRI and CT, technologies that
demand the most resources and materials in their manufacture,
are also the most widely refurbished.
However, refurbished medical imaging equipment is banned
outright or tightly restricted in emerging global markets that
could benefit the most. New global regulations threaten to
bar the shipment of used medical electrical equipment for
refurbishment or end-of-life disassembly and recycling.
Refurbishment of medical imaging equipment in accordance
with NEMA/MITA 1-2015 offers a better way forward. By
replacing bans on refurbished equipment with a regulated
approach based on standards such as NEMA/MITA 1-2015,
countries can expand access to advanced medical technology
while guaranteeing patient safety and environmental
sustainability. By allowing export of used medical devices,
developing countries can sell high-quality medical equipment
for refurbishment at attractive price points.
MITA and our member companies know that a strong market
requires a variety of options, but, like safety, sustainability
is increasingly considered essential. Patients, doctors, and
regulators can rest assured that medical imaging equipment
refurbished in accordance with NEMA/MITA 1-2015 will not
compromise on safety, diagnostic quality, or environmental
sustainability. ei
Mr. Northup ([email protected]) is responsible
for MITA’s refurbishment and global regulatory programs.
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