Radiology Workstations Driven by High Power Demand
New research from Worcester highlights energy efficiency challenges in PACS workstation power usage.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Energy
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Researchers at the University of Massachusetts found that Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) workstations consume significant energy, even when not in active use. The study analyzed 105 units to assess power consumption patterns across different operational modes.
Why it matters
As PACS technology becomes ubiquitous in healthcare globally, understanding the energy footprint of these systems is essential for developing more sustainable infrastructure in hospital radiology departments.
Researchers measured 105 workstations, observing a peak departmental consumption of 24.99 kW. Power usage dropped to 18.37 kW in logged-off states and 2.41 kW in powered-down states, a difference of up to 7.61-fold between modes.
The players
University of Massachusetts
This public research university in Worcester served as the site for the energy consumption study.
The details
The study revealed that PACS workstations require break-even times of 6.67 minutes when transitioning from a logged-off state to active, and 5.86 minutes from powered-down to active. These metrics provide a roadmap for optimizing energy settings without compromising clinical utility.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The research on PACS power consumption was officially published.
The Big Picture
This research follows the path established by the University of Massachusetts radiology energy efficiency research program. It marks a shift toward quantifying the environmental impact of standardized medical computing equipment.
Greater awareness of these power demands could lead to hospitals implementing automated power-saving protocols for workstations. This transition may eventually lower operational costs for radiology departments while improving overall energy sustainability in local healthcare facilities.
The takeaway
Optimizing workstation power settings can significantly reduce electricity waste in high-demand hospital environments. Administrators should consider the 5 to 7 minute break-even windows when configuring automatic power-down features for radiology staff.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts in Energy optimization for medical technology.
More information
To review the methodology and results, access the Read the full study portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AuntMinnie.
Live Poll
Should organizations implement mandatory power-saving protocols for idle computer workstations to reduce energy use?
