Exploring Sustainable Device Energy Management in Surgery

Canadian perioperative team implemented an ultrasound power-down protocol, cutting machine energy use between cases by 81% without added workflow delays.

The intervention targets routine device-standby behavior that leaves machines ready—and drawing power—between cases. Powering down removes that idle draw while preserving clinical readiness; integration into perioperative workflows was straightforward in the pilot.

The team measured device-level energy across routine cases during a multiweek pilot and reported an 81% reduction. Workflow impact was assessed with boot/restart timing and staff observations; boot times were brief and staff reported no meaningful delays, which supports operational feasibility.

Practical steps tested in the pilot include a short, case-based power-down checklist tailored to local case mix, assigning responsibility to an anesthesia technician or circulating nurse for powering down/up, and testing boot and restart times.

Safety observations showed measured boot times remained short and standard cleaning and equipment-handling protocols were unchanged. Local testing before rollout is still recommended to confirm device-specific readiness and any site-level workflow implications.

Key Takeaways:

• Powering down between cases reduced ultrasound energy use by 81%—a clear operational conservation opportunity.
• Implementation requires minimal training and assigns clear responsibility to existing perioperative staff roles.
• Next steps: run local pilots to quantify savings, measure workflow impact, and align results with institutional sustainability targets.