The ceremony for the Sustainability Award, organized by the Portuguese Association of Private Hospitals (APHP), in partnership with Medtronic, took place following the conclusion of the 5th Iberian Summit on Private Hospitals, held in Lisbon on 18 June 2026. Three outstanding projects were awarded.
Winner
“Clara” Project – CUF
The CLARA Project (Virtual Voice Assistant) is a pioneering Artificial Intelligence solution that automates postoperative clinical follow-up for outpatient surgeries. Developed using Natural Language Processing in European Portuguese, the assistant replaces manual follow-ups with autonomous triage based on structured questionnaires.
The system operates on a “management by exception” model: the AI identifies deviations in clinical parameters and generates real-time alerts, allowing nurses to intervene in a targeted and prioritized manner in high-risk cases, thereby humanizing complex care.
With an effective contact rate of 90% and a satisfaction score of 8.9/10, the project reduced administrative follow-up time by 80%. Scalable and integrated into 13 hospital units, the solution monitors more than 41,000 patients annually. CLARA enhances clinical safety through structured, auditable, accessible, and inclusive digital data, optimizing healthcare sustainability.
First Honorable Mention
“Act Green” Project – Luz Saúde
This project aims to reduce the energy consumption and direct CO₂ emissions associated with MRI operations in hospitals by optimizing both productive and non-productive operating periods. Its objectives are to:
- Expand the use of the EcoPower Mode and Turn Off solutions across all eligible equipment within the Luz Saúde Group.
- Integrate artificial intelligence into the optimization of clinical protocols to reduce energy consumption per examination.
- Improve operational efficiency and increase installed capacity by reducing the average examination time.
- Reduce energy-related operating costs and enhance the economic return on sustainability initiatives.
- Scale the syngo Virtual Cockpit model to new regions, reducing travel for healthcare professionals and patients.
- Incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability criteria into technology upgrades and new investment projects.
Second Honorable Mention
“Eco-Efficiency in the Central Sterilization Department” Project – Hospital de Cascais
The sterilization department is one of the hospital areas with the highest water and energy consumption, playing a key role in environmental sustainability strategies. Aware of this impact, Cascais Hospital implemented an approach focused on resource efficiency, combining technological innovation, continuous consumption monitoring, and data-driven management to reduce its environmental footprint. Improvements in operational and energy efficiency have made it possible to reduce consumption and emissions without compromising quality, safety, or clinical responsiveness. This transformation involved the active participation of staff and promoted more responsible and sustainable practices. As a public hospital, Cascais Hospital demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and quality of care, establishing itself as a replicable model for sustainable transition in the healthcare sector.
