If healthcare were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse emissions on the planet. 

Unsurprisingly, healthcare organizations are seeing increasing regulatory demands to measure and reduce their carbon footprint with more sustainable practices. These efforts range from waste reduction to energy efficiency, but when there’s push towards more clinical changes, how do organizations balance sustainability, budget, and patient care? 

At our recent Healthcare Summit, we sat down with Vinayak Gorur, the VP of Sustainability and ESG at Sonic Healthcare, and Atif Baqai, the Division Chief of Vascular Surgery at Ascension. They contended that embracing sustainability is not just an ethical imperative for healthcare, but also a strategically important move for long-term success. Here is what they had to say. 

Sustainability in Healthcare = Efficiency = Better Care 

Besides the obvious threat of environmental collapse, sustainability initiatives are increasingly critical as general cost-cutting measures. 

The cost of keeping the lights on—literally—is going up. With the cost of electricity expected to rise significantly, the healthcare industry needs to be prepared. Taking small steps like installing occupancy sensors in rooms that turn off the lights will have a big impact in the long run. 

Reducing these operational costs where it doesn’t impact quality of care is a win for both sustainability and fiscal efficiency. In fact, sustainability can actually improve care.  

Reduced exposure to harmful chemicals, better patient environments, and more resilient systems in the face of climate change all translate to better care. 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 

Waste is another area where a few simple changes can deliver big wins for healthcare organizations. 

40% of waste generated in the United States comes from unopened packages of medical equipment—we’re looking at you, orthodontics! Organizations will then turn around and spend an average of 4% of their revenue on waste disposal. 

Again, small steps like charging MedTech companies for disposal to encourage them to reduce waste, taking a more considered approach to supply orders, and moving away from single-use devices will see huge returns in the long-run. 

Vinayak’s own team discovered that delivery drivers were using far more dry ice than needed when transporting lab samples. By taking the time to investigate and develop a solution, they reduced dry ice consumption by a whopping 80%. 

With estimated savings in the millions and a reduction of emissions equal to thousands of tons of CO2, it isn’t difficult to uncover the small wins that can have big impacts. 

Speak to the Experts 

Decisions like moving away from single-use instruments really highlight the importance of using the expertise of your whole team. 

No, doctors aren’t the experts on budgets or bottom lines, but they do have vital experience and an invaluable perspective on the realities of front-line healthcare. 

Doctors and nurses are on the front lines of patient care. Their insights into daily hospital operations are irreplaceable for identifying areas where sustainability can improve both efficiency and care quality. 

It Takes a Village 

Speaking to your clinicians provides you with the ground level data, but more than that, it opens a communication channel between doctors, administrators, and wider stakeholders throughout the organization.

If healthcare organizations are going to deliver on their sustainability initiatives, they’ll need to understand that it requires input from everyone. 

The Power of Policy 

Sustainable healthcare requires more than individual efforts; it needs policy support. Federal and state governments can incentivize sustainable practices through grants, tax breaks, and regulations. Healthcare organizations must advocate for policies that support investment in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and research into environmentally friendly medical technologies. 

There is $300bn allocated in the Inflation Reduction Act, $200bn of which is for clean energy. There are opportunities out there, it’s just about creative program drafting. 

The Power of Sustainability in Healthcare 

Sustainability is not just an environmental imperative but a financial and ethical one. The healthcare industry must address its significant carbon footprint and adopt sustainable practices to ensure it can survive in an ever more challenging landscape. 

Organizations will start seeing change when they reframe their ideas of cost effectiveness and immediate return. Instead, prioritize the long-term goals of the healthcare system and of our planet. 

Change happens when we reframe cost-effectiveness and prioritize long-term goals. If institutions, vendors, policymakers, and communities work together, we can achieve real sustainability in healthcare. 

To connect with industry leaders and take part in the conversations driving the future of your industry, check out our upcoming healthcare summit.