The Green Print: Advancement of Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare
Sherman, Jodi D. Thiel, Cassandra L. MacNeill, Andrea J. Twomey, Janet M.
Sherman, Jodi D.
Thiel, Cassandra L.
MacNeill, Andrea J.
Twomey, Janet M.
Other Names
Location
Time Period
Advisors
Original Date
Digitization Date
Issue Date
2020-10
Type
Article
Genre
Keywords
Carbon footprint,Operating rooms,Surgical waste,Review
Subjects (LCSH)
Citation
Sherman, Jodi D.; Thiel, Cassandra L.; MacNeill, Andrea J.; Twomey, Janet M. 2020. The Green Print: Advancement of Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 161:art. no. 104882
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 for 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 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.
Table of Contents
Description
Click on the DOI link to access the article (may not be free). WSU author: Janet M. Twomey. The complete list includes: Jodi D. Sherman, Cassandra Thiel, Andrea MacNeill, Matthew J. Eckelman, Robert Dubrow, HarrietHopf, Robert Lagasse, Joseph Bialowitz, Anthony Costello, McGain Forbes, Rachel Stancliffe, Paul Anastas, Laura Anderko, Mark Baratz, Stefi Barna, Urvashi Bhatnagar, Jason Burnham, Yizhen Cai, Andy Cassels-Brown, Alexander F.P. Cimprich, Heidi Cole, Lorea Coronado-Garcia, Brett Duane, Gabriella Grisotti, Arthy Hartwell, Varshini Kumar, Ann Kurth, Michael Leapman, Daniel S. Morris, Michael Overcash, Abhijeet G. Parvatker, David Pencheon, Adam Pollard, Bernard Robaire, Karl Rockne, Blair L. Sadler, Beth Schenk, Tushar Sethi, L. Scott Sussman, Jeff Thompson, Janet M. Twomey, Sten H. Vermund, Daniel Vukelich, Natasha Wasim, Debbie Wilson, Steven B. Young, Julie Zimmerman, Melissa M. Bilec.
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal
Book Title
Series
Resources, Conservation and Recycling;v.161:art.no.104882
Digital Collection
Finding Aid URL
Use and Reproduction
Archival Collection
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
0921-3449