close
close
orange

How local healthcare systems can respond to climate change – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER

Vaseline

When we think of the biggest contributors to climate change, we can imagine airplanes, factories and gas-guzzling cars. But are you also thinking about your local hospital?

The healthcare sector – which includes hospitals and clinics, as well as manufacturers of medical equipment and drugs – is a huge producer of greenhouse gases. Nationally it is responsible for around 9% of our total CO2 emissions; in King County, that number is 11%.

At the same time, climate change is putting pressure on healthcare systems in multiple ways. Heat waves, wildfire smoke and other extreme weather events cause injuries and worsen underlying health problems. This can lead to more health care visits and emergency room admissions, as well as more patient deaths. Climate change is also testing healthcare systems and infrastructure, which must now be able to cope with extreme weather events, flooding and power outages, in addition to the increased burden of climate-related diseases.

This means it is important that healthcare systems take steps to reduce their emissions, minimize waste and improve their energy efficiency – thereby reducing their contribution to global warming – while also taking steps to adapt our changing climate. In Washington State, we are fortunate to have several health care systems that have been nationally recognized for their sustainability efforts. The lessons learned from their work could help boost the efforts of other organizations just beginning their climate journey.

Read more about sustainability in the healthcare sector below.

Sustainability in healthcare: frequently asked questions

Part of the healthcare sector’s carbon footprint is due to hospitals, clinics and other energy-intensive healthcare facilities that operate around the clock to provide essential services to patients. For example, operating rooms can accommodate a maximum of six times more energy than the rest of their hospital.

However, the majority of emissions caused by healthcare come from the supply chain: the production, transportation and disposal of thousands of items used in patient care. Everything from disposable gloves to single-use blood oxygen meters and bed linen must be produced, packaged and transported, only to end up in landfill after one use. Fortunately, many organizations across the country are taking steps to minimize waste.

Healthcare organizations can reduce their footprint in many ways. One of these is improving energy efficiency, for example by installing LED lighting and solar panels, or by purchasing electricity from renewable sources. Phasing out single-use products helps minimize waste, while switching to locally sourced food in the cafeteria can reduce the carbon footprint of meals. Here are some examples of actions local healthcare systems are taking:

It is critical that hospital systems consider climate change and its impacts in their long-term planning. They may need to assess how emerging climate-related events such as heat, wildfires and flooding could damage facility infrastructure and disrupt operations. They will also want to understand how climate events can impact patient care and impact the health of their staff, patients and the community. These assessments can inform strategic planning around construction, facilities management, staffing and emergency preparedness.

Education is also important. Hospital and clinic administrators, staff and patients need to be aware of the dangers of climate change and how to protect themselves and others during extreme weather events.

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in building the climate resilience of community members, patients and staff. She can educate patients on the health influenceS of climate change and show them how to protect themselves from healthH hazards such as wildfire smoke and extreme heat. They can zhare information about community resources that may be available, And where you can find weather warnings And updates. Discuss climate change and health concerns during the day Patient visits can make a major contribution to the build-up that of the community cassets to adjust.

Introducing a climate change mitigation playbook for healthcare

To support action in this area, the Climate & Health Equity Initiative at Public Health – Seattle & King County has created a playbook to support hospitals and clinics as they begin to reduce their carbon footprint. This resource was created in collaboration with an advisory group made up of representatives from both local and national healthcare systems, academic institutions and healthcare sustainability organizations, to ensure that the materials are useful and relevant to local healthcare partners.

The cover image of a PDF resource with the title

The manual is intended for hospital administrators, healthcare providers and staff who are interested in sustainability. It contains:

  • A summary of local healthcare systems’ sustainability efforts
  • Examples from leading healthcare systems
  • Recommendations to start and expand sustainability work
  • A public health case for decarbonizing healthcare
  • An overview of local and national policies that require emission reductions

Healthcare systems can face many challenges when implementing sustainability practices, such as limited resources, lack of expertise and no dedicated staff. For those looking for a way to support this work, we also provide an overview of federal, state, and local funding, as well as incentive opportunities for sustainability initiatives.

Visit our Climate Change and Healthcare Sector webpage for more information.

Originally published on April 24, 2024

Related Posts