The Agency for Health Research and Quality has tips on how healthcare organizations can cut emissions and achieve zero operations by 2050.
The branch of the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that health care organizations—especially hospitals—set up systems to monitor and manage greenhouse gas emissions, appoint leaders to monitor their progress, set goals and deadlines, and invest in technology to measure their environmental impact.
The AHRQ co-developed the guidelines, published September 22 and published in JAMA November 22, jointly with the Institute for Health Improvement. An increasing number of healthcare organizations are committed to significantly reducing their environmental footprint. Here are five things hospitals can do to meet those goals, according to AHRQ:
1. Reduce energy use and switch to zero-carbon fuel sources. Hospitals can conserve energy by reducing air changes in unused operating rooms, using LEDs, installing timers and motion sensors for lighting, and purchasing equipment. has a favorable Energy Star rating. In the long term, hospitals should transition to cleaner energy sources, implement renewable energy projects and pursue power purchase agreements.
2. Manage emissions from transportation and supply chains. Healthcare organizations can centralize internal and supplier transportation information to coordinate deliveries and reduce fuel use, and use route optimization technology to shorten lead times Driver. AHRQ also recommends purchasing from distributors participating in the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program. Hospitals should decarbonize their vehicles and encourage staff to do the same. Organizations should seek out electric or low-emission vehicles and install charging stations for employees and the community. Companies can also survey employees about their commute, increase use of telehealth, and fund local public transportation options that help reduce emissions.
3. Minimize leakage and overuse of anesthetic gas. According to the AHRQ, emissions from the gas used to render patients unconscious during surgery represent only 5% of a hospital’s carbon footprint, but hospitals can do better. They can add gas flow alerts to the electronic anesthesia record to reduce the amount of gas used by the patient. Leaders can also work with clinical teams to determine which gases can be eliminated. For example, the AHRQ recommends ending the use of desflurane (also known as Suprane) due to cost and climate impacts. The agency also warned hospitals about central nitrous oxide pipelines, which could be leaking excessively.
4. Find climate-friendly solutions for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Medical devices and some pharmaceuticals produce greenhouse gas emissions, but eco-friendly options are increasingly available. For example, traditional inhalers that release carbon into the air could be replaced by dry powder or soft mist devices. Hospitals can evaluate purchasing contracts to address excess waste in production and transportation. Finding alternatives to plastic, moving away from single-use devices, and creating a circular supply chain can reduce waste and save money.
5. Stop food waste and switch to plant-based options. According to the AHRQ, food accounts for 12% of healthcare facility emissions. To cut back, hospitals can provide inpatient food service made to order, create patient adjustments, track food waste, compost and donate food leftovers. for local organisations. Hospital nutritionists can design plant-based food options for patients, which are often healthier and have less impact on the environment.
