Creating a future of improved care experience and financial resilience through sustainable practices.
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Sustainability in healthcare: Healing in more ways than one
This article was originally published on the American College of Healthcare Executive (ACHE) blog.
Sustainability in healthcare is no longer about watchful waiting. It has evolved into a critical strategic matter with profound implications for climate and public health. With climate change posing a grave health threat, healthcare leaders are recognizing the urgency for sustainable practices. The stakes are high—not only for the climate, but for patient care and operational performance.
With health system facilities responsible for 8.5% of the nation’s carbon emissions, the healthcare sector can play a front-line role in combating climate change. Looking at the global picture of emissions, U.S. healthcare has an outsized opportunity to help meet reduction goals. According to a Health Care Without Harm report, the nation’s health sector is the world’s leading emitter, producing, for example, 57 times more emissions per person than India.
There is a natural synergy in health systems taking on this issue. Climate change threatens human health in myriad ways, from temperature-related illness and respiratory ailments to vector-borne diseases. It is fitting that a sector devoted to advancing health and wellness work to address the root cause of the public health issue that is climate change.
The push for sustainable healthcare is driven by a combination of regulatory pressures and mounting awareness among patients and caregivers. Many U.S. cities and states are implementing building performance standards for large facilities, pushing them toward higher-efficiency operations. On the federal front, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has set goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with over 900 hospitals signing the Health Sector Climate Pledge.
Sustainability is also becoming more of a priority for patients and caregivers. Studies show that 94% of patients consider a hospital’s sustainability programs important. Meanwhile, care practitioners are increasingly advocating for sustainability from the inside. For healthcare executives, embracing sustainability not only means meeting regulatory requirements. It also enhances institutional reputation and attracts patients and staff. This may help explain why 15% of U.S. hospitals have committed to decarbonization goals.
Creating more sustainable healthcare facilities can range from simple to advanced measures:
Level 1: The Efficiency Basics. Simple steps like switching to LED lighting and improving waste management dramatically reduce costs and environmental impact. Plus, these low-hanging fruits offer immediate returns and can be relatively easy to implement.
Level 2: Intermediate Optimization Strategies. More involved initiatives like water and energy management systems and HVAC optimization can further advance performance goals. Implementing fault detection and diagnostics systems provides real-time data, ensuring 24/7 care centers always operate at peak efficiency.
Level 3: Advanced Energy Solutions. Bigger-picture programs should incorporate some form of renewable energy, from off-site sources through power purchase agreements to onsite solar panels. In addition to reducing fossil fuel use, investing in renewable energy helps ensure a reliable energy supply and can bring significant cost savings. For example, facilities with their own microgrids can maintain power during outages and even sell excess energy back to the grid, turning a potential vulnerability into a financial asset.
Beyond doing the right thing for the climate, investing in sustainability benefits health systems as a whole, from financial performance to the human experience.
On the fiscal side, healthcare facilities typically reduce costs and improve budget stability by embracing sustainability. Take deferred maintenance costs, for instance, which were estimated at $243 billion in 2021 and forecasted to rise to $391 billion within the next decade. These can be significantly lowered through energy-efficient upgrades and sustainable infrastructure investments. Sustainability initiatives can also hedge against market price volatility for energy and other resources, providing long-term financial certainty.
Ultimately, sustainable healthcare strategy in all its forms goes far beyond financial savings. Improved air quality, better lighting and optimized indoor environments all contribute to faster patient recovery and a more comfortable, healing environment. And for caregivers, working in a sustainably managed facility often means better working conditions, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Beyond that, savings from reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs can potentially be redirected to enhance patient care, thus improving overall healthcare outcomes.
Every health system’s sustainability journey will look different. But every one that rises to this strategic imperative will benefit in multiple ways, including financial and reputational improvements. By embracing sustainability strategy today, your health system plays a vital role in shaping a brighter healthcare and more reliable future for all.