The green print: Advancement of environmental sustainability in healthcare

Sherman, Jodi D. and Thiel, Cassandra and MacNeill, Andrea and Eckelman, Matthew J. and Dubrow, Robert and Hopf, Harriet and Lagasse, Robert and Bialowitz, Joseph and Costello, Anthony and Forbes, McGain and Stancliffe, Rachel and Anastas, Paul and Anderko, Laura and Baratz, Mark and Barna, Stefi and Bhatnagar, Urvashi and Burnham, Jason and Cai, Yizhen and Cassels-Brown, Andy and Cimprich, Alexander F.P. and Cole, Heidi and Coronado-Garcia, Lorea and Duane, Brett and Grisotti, Gabriella and Hartwell, Arthy and Kumar, Varshini and Kurth, Ann and Leapman, Michael and Morris, Daniel S. and Overcash, Michael and Parvatker, Abhijeet G. and Pencheon, David and Pollard, Adam and Robaire, Bernard and Rockne, Karl and Sadler, Blair L. and Schenk, Beth and Sethi, Tushar and Sussman, L. Scott and Thompson, Jeff and Twomey, Janet M. and Vermund, Sten H. and Vukelich, Daniel and Wasim, Natasha and Wilson, Debbie and Young, Steven B. and Zimmerman, Julie and Bilec, Melissa M. (2020) The green print: Advancement of environmental sustainability in healthcare. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 161. p. 104882. ISSN 09213449

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Abstract

Healthcare is a major emitter of environmental pollutants that adversely affect health. Within the healthcare community, awareness of these effects is low, and recognition of the duty to address them is only beginning to gain traction. Healthcare sustainability science explores dimensions of resource consumption and environmental emissions associated with healthcare activities. This emerging field provides tools and metrics to quantify the unintended consequences of healthcare delivery and evaluate effective approaches that improve patient safety while protecting public health. This narrative review describes the scope of healthcare sustainability research, identifies knowledge gaps, introduces a framework for applications of existing research methods and tools to the healthcare context, and establishes research priorities to improve the environmental performance of healthcare services. The framework was developed through review of the current state of healthcare sustainability science and expert consensus by the Working Group for Environmental Sustainability in Clinical Care. Key recommendations include: development of a comprehensive life cycle inventory database for medical devices and drugs; application of standardized sustainability performance metrics at the clinician, hospital/health system, and national levels; revision of infection control standards driving non-evidence-based uptake of single-use disposable devices; call for increased federal research funding; and formation of a Global Commission on the Advancement of Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare. There is an urgent need for research that informs policy and practice to address the public health crisis arising from healthcare pollution. A transformational vision is required to align research priorities to achieve a sustainable healthcare system that advances quality, safety and value.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Sherman, Jodi D. and Thiel, Cassandra and MacNeill, Andrea and Eckelman, Matthew J. and Dubrow, Robert and Hopf, Harriet and Lagasse, Robert and Bialowitz, Joseph and Costello, Anthony and Forbes, McGain and Stancliffe, Rachel and Anastas, Paul and Anderko, Laura and Baratz, Mark and Barna, Stefi and Bhatnagar, Urvashi and Burnham, Jason and Cai, Yizhen and Cassels-Brown, Andy and Cimprich, Alexander F.P. and Cole, Heidi and Coronado-Garcia, Lorea and Duane, Brett and Grisotti, Gabriella and Hartwell, Arthy and Kumar, Varshini and Kurth, Ann and Leapman, Michael and Morris, Daniel S. and Overcash, Michael and Parvatker, Abhijeet G. and Pencheon, David and Pollard, Adam and Robaire, Bernard and Rockne, Karl and Sadler, Blair L. and Schenk, Beth and Sethi, Tushar and Sussman, L. Scott and Thompson, Jeff and Twomey, Janet M. and Vermund, Sten H. and Vukelich, Daniel and Wasim, Natasha and Wilson, Debbie and Young, Steven B. and Zimmerman, Julie and Bilec, Melissa M.
Document Language:	Language English
Subjects:	Social sciences > Economics > Production > Sustainable development Social sciences > Law > Labor, social, education & cultural law > Miscellaneous social problems and services > Environmental protection Public Health
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru
Full Text Status:	None
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/7209
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104882

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