Going Green in Healthcare

SUSTAINABILITY. Eco-friendly. Going green. When it comes to healthcare, what is the industry imperative behind these buzzwords?

“Going green” in healthcare refers to incorporating environmentally friendly practices into healthcare delivery, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM).¹ While there isn’t a universal dictate for the healthcare industry to go green, many hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities are doing so anyway, taking the responsibility to “first, do no harm” one step further by identifying areas outside the scope of direct patient care that negatively affect public health and implementing strategies to promote healthier communities.

After all, the environmental impact of the healthcare industry is staggering. Perhaps it’s not surprising since healthcare is always “on,” and serving patients around the clock demands constant, concentrated energy use, generates an immense amount of waste and pours pollution into the community — all of which both paradoxically and negatively affects the health of those who work and live near the hospitals and clinics all over the world. According to Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH), an international network of hospitals and healthcare facilities dedicated to improving healthcare’s impact on the environment, the healthcare industry — ironically and unintentionally — contributes to poorer health everywhere, from metropolitan cities to rural villages: “Through the products and technologies it deploys, the resources it consumes, the waste it generates and the buildings it constructs and operates, the health sector is a significant source of pollution around the world, and therefore an unintentional contributor to trends that undermine public health.”²

The predicament is as much a local issue as a global issue: In the United States, hospitals collectively consume 10 percent of the total energy used by commercial buildings; account for seven percent of commercial and institutional water use; and generate more than five million tons of waste every year, according to Practice Greenhealth, the leading sustainable healthcare organization in North America.^3,4 It’s an expensive problem, both in terms of money spent and lives affected. However, identifying ways to implement cleaner, more sustainable practices can save the healthcare industry money and improve the health of the planet and the people who inhabit it.

The Triple Bottom Line

The benefits of going green in healthcare are three-fold: It creates a “triple bottom line” — that is, improved social, environmental and economic outcomes.¹ According to IOM, “A hospital with a successful triple bottom line would boast positive impacts on the health and well-being of its patients, staff and visitors; efficient use of energy and natural resources, with minimal waste and pollution generated; and healthy financial performance.”¹ In short, a triple bottom line benefits people, planet and profit:¹

• People. Going green is about improving the health in the local community and communities around the world, ultimately lessening the healthcare industry’s contribution to the burden of disease. As GGHH explains, “A green and healthy hospital recognizes the connection between human health and the environment and demonstrates that understanding through its governance, strategy and operations. It connects local needs with environmental action and practices primary prevention by actively engaging in efforts to foster community environmental health, health equity and a green economy.”² When the environment is cleaner, people are healthier.

• Planet. The healthcare industry produces eight percent of total U.S. emissions, and one hospital patient in the U.S. generates about 33.8 pounds of waste every day, which adds up to about six million tons of waste every year.⁵ Adopting sustainable practices such as using renewable energy sources and recyclable or reusable medical equipment can help clean up the air and reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, conserve and steward scarce resources and ultimately help clean up the environment, making the surrounding community healthier.⁶

• Profit. The U.S. healthcare industry comprises one-sixth of the American economy and spends $8 billion on energy every year, but implementing energy-saving practices could significantly lower that figure, which experts say would, in turn, yield more profit.³ According to Energy Star, an agency administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that helps consumers identify and implement energy-efficient best practices, the savings of switching to clean, efficient energy sources in healthcare is comparable to generating new revenue. “Every $1 a nonprofit healthcare organization saves on energy is equivalent to generating $20 in new revenues for hospitals or $10 for medical offices.”⁷ Switching to renewable energy can reduce a healthcare facility’s carbon footprint and bolster its bottom line.

Seven Simple Steps to a Greener Facility

Implementing a green strategy in healthcare facilities boils down to assessing and addressing eight essential areas of operations: buildings, chemicals, energy, food, sustainable procurement, transportation, waste and water. With so many pieces of this clean and green puzzle to fit together efficiently, you may wonder where to start or whether it’s possible for your practice or facility to make a meaningful difference. It may be helpful to remember that at its heart, going green is about doing the best you can with what you have and stewarding resources to yield the best possible outcomes for your organization and local community. Taking stock of your buildings, policies, practices and people and identifying how to take better care of them is the best first step to take.

Here are seven simple steps to get you started:^7,8

1) Identify areas for improvement. Measure and track current energy performance; ensure all equipment is functioning as specified and designed; and make a strategy for how to implement improvements over time.

2) Make simple changes. Retrofit inefficient lighting; install variable frequency drives and energy-efficient motors; balance air and water systems; and adjust thermostats for seasonal changes and occupancy.

3) Improve waste production and management. Move away from single use, disposable items such as meal trays, utensils and medical gowns and use their reusable or compostable counterparts instead. Ensure effective waste separation and recycling methods are in place and being used properly.

4) Switch to safer cleaning supplies made without harsh chemicals. Use biodegradable, nontoxic, plant-based cleaners and disinfectants to lower the volatile organic compounds released by conventional cleaners.

5) Invest in energy-saving equipment. Install efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Replace office, electronic and commercial cooking equipment with energy-efficient models.

6) Buy local, sustainable products whenever possible. Also referred to as “environmentally preferable purchasing,” sustainable procurement prioritizes purchasing sustainable equipment and supplies to reduce exposure to toxins and minimize waste production. Purchase from local and/or fair trade suppliers whenever possible.

7) Educate staff and patients about how their behaviors affect energy consumption and waste production.

An Ongoing Effort

Going green is not an overnight exercise. Instead, it is an ongoing effort that requires vision, collaboration, strategy and funding. If your organization needs help identifying and implementing a greener strategy, consider working with a sustainability consulting firm that specializes in the healthcare industry. (Try an Internet search for “sustainable healthcare consulting firms” to get started.) These groups work with healthcare organizations to develop realistic, actionable plans to make their facilities and practices cleaner, greener and healthier for everyone. It is a tall order, but one well worth the investment, as it demonstrates leadership in the community, cleans up the environment, saves money and — perhaps most importantly — protects and promotes health.¹     ❖