Sustainability is a buzzword in the media, sparking commercial interest. The major polluters are the largest global industries, ranging from fashion to healthcare. Eco-conscious consumers are promoting change by voting with their dollars, and they face agency limitations when it comes to the medical field.
Medical professionals can instil change in the system, limiting surface and atmospheric pollution. When they adopt sustainable systems and devices, they can shrink their workplaces’ carbon footprints and protect their patients’ health. Before we explore the ways to achieve environmental conservation in the healthcare industry, we must assess its global importance.
The Importance of Eco-Consciousness in the Medical Field
Hospitals are some of the most significant polluting buildings around the world. Nearly 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions derive from hospitals. A considerable portion of them come from heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Inefficient HVAC systems can expand a medical facility’s carbon footprint, decreasing its sustainability levels. Greenhouse gas emissions cause adverse health effects, reducing society’s well-being. Long-term exposure to air pollution increases individuals’ risk of lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses.
According to one study, greenhouse gasses also raise children’s risk of asthma and interactive airway syndromes. If the healthcare industry fails to reduce its emissions, it will create more human health challenges than it can solve.
Lighting systems in medical facilities also expand their carbon footprints. In 2020, the commercial sector used nearly 157 billion kilowatt-hours of energy for lighting alone. Most of the energy used to support the systems derives from fossil fuels, creating more emissions.
The extensive use of single-use plastic also affects the industry’s sustainability. Workers throw away serialization packages, IV bags, utensils and more every day, creating large quantities of waste. The elements in single-use plastic also create adverse health effects for patients.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an element in plastic, leaching into food and water, entering the human body. Researchers found 93% of individuals have measurable BPA in their urine. The polycarbonate causes various health effects to humans, especially in younger individuals.
Currently, the plastic industry consumes up to 8% of the global fossil fuel supply. The manufacturing process produces nearly 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. As the emissions invade the atmosphere, they drive climate change, causing adverse ecological effects.
The number of patients in a hospital also affects its sustainability. Full medical facilities use more natural resources than partially vacant buildings. For example, when hospitals reached their full capacity levels during the pandemic, their water use and emissions increased.
Another feature affecting a medical facility’s sustainability is its food source. Many hospitals purchase cost-effective products from mass distributors without exploring the environmental impacts. Inefficient transportation and processing practices can alter a hospital’s carbon footprint size.
Medical professionals can evaluate the sustainability of their workplaces based on the features listed above. If their facilities produce significant quantities of pollution, they can adopt sustainable healthcare methods, shrinking their carbon footprints.
Applying Sustainability in the Healthcare Industry
Healthcare employees can increase the eco-friendliness of their sustainable workplaces by adding energy-efficient appliances. Smart thermostats significantly decrease HVAC emissions by limiting a system’s electricity absorption. They can access real-time weather readings using a Wi-Fi connection, adjusting indoor temperatures for efficiency.
Smart thermostats also use motion detection sensors, adjusting the temperature of a vacant room. They also increase the sustainability of ventilation features. Ventilation is essential in medical facilities, especially during a respiratory-related pandemic.
Energy-efficient ventilation also supports the longevity of a medical building, increasing its sustainability. Trapped moisture can degrade walls and wood, causing material swelling, peeling, dark spots and more. Elongated entrapment can rot wood and generate mold, decreasing the safety of a building.
Individuals may additionally install smart lights, reducing electricity-related emissions. The systems are programmable, limiting unnecessary electricity use during high natural lighting times. They also connect to a central smart hub, helping professionals adjust a room’s lighting without leaving their workstations.
Professionals can reduce single-use plastic waste and related emissions by ditching the blue wrap sterilization packages. Companies now produce reusable rigid containers, decreasing surface pollution. The packages are clean and sustainable, shrinking a medical facility’s carbon footprint.
During the pandemic, many healthcare providers transitioned towards virtual checkups, increasing community safety. Researchers found a correlation between fewer in-person patients and decreased pollution levels. Healthcare workers can use remote monitoring, connecting at-home smart devices to the cloud for virtual evaluations.
The systems help medical professionals access essential information while reducing their environmental impacts. They can additionally reduce the emissions related to their workplaces by sourcing their food from local farmers. The farm to hospital movement is up-and-coming, improving health and economic conditions.
Organic, locally grown produce contains fewer preservatives and harmful additives. It also decreases transportation emissions by limiting the distance between a healthcare facility and its food source. Increasing the sustainability of a hospital’s food source, among other features, creates various advantages.
The Benefits of Green Sustainable Healthcare
When a medical professional improves the sustainability of their workplace, they increase their overall savings. Adding energy-efficient devices can significantly lower a hospital’s utility costs, increasing the size of its budget. Sustainable healthcare facilities also improve patient health, creating a cleaner environment with better air quality and fewer harmful toxins.
