In an era of climate change, global healthcare systems face increasing pressure not only to treat patients but also to care for the environment.
“Hospitals should not only be places of healing but also play role models of sustainability.”
Australia is recognized as one of the countries with the best healthcare systems in the world due to its integration of quality policies, standards, and sustainability into hospital operations across both public and private sectors. So, how do Australian hospitals manage sustainability?
Rising global temperatures, floods, wildfires, and natural disasters necessitate enhanced preparedness in healthcare systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified climate change as the greatest health threat of our time. It is estimated that between 2030 and 2050, climate-related diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition, and heat stress could lead to an additional 250,000 deaths annually.
“Humanity is in the hot seat”
Strategies for Sustainable Healthcare in Australian Hospitals
1) Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Impact
The healthcare industry is a major carbon emitter; if it were a country, it would rank as the fifth-largest CO2 emitter globally. Practices from Australia:
- Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, has reduced its use of desflurane, a high-impact anesthetic drug, by switching to alternatives with lower carbon emissions. This has resulted in a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions and an annual cost savings of approximately USD 62,000.
- Waste reduction from medical materials has been achieved by transitioning to reusable items, such as dialysis and surgical equipment.
2) Efficient Water and Resource Management
- Several Australian hospitals collaborate with local governments to recycle reverse osmosis water from kidney dialysis, saving up to 1.5 million liters of drinking water annually and reducing both hospital and government costs.
3) Sustainable Building and Infrastructure Design
- Island Hospital in Malaysia has adopted energy-efficient technologies, achieving a 7% reduction in energy consumption since opening its new facility. This aligns with the principle of building with sustainable-enabled technology.
4) Leveraging Technology and Standards for Sustainability
- The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) developed a Sustainable Healthcare Module and participates in the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) network to provide guidance for minimizing hospital environmental impact.
- Performance data and digital technologies are used to enhance healthcare standards and sustainability practices.
Key Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Healthcare Systems
- Leadership and organizational strategies are essential: Integrating sustainability as a core strategy in hospitals leads to measurable outcomes.
- Operational changes reduce environmental impact: Initiatives such as reducing high-greenhouse-gas medications, reusing medical resources, and designing energy-efficient buildings contribute to sustainability.
- Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial: Hospitals should engage with local and national organizations to achieve sustainability goals through coordinated efforts and effective communication.
- Technology and certification standards are key tools: Digital innovations and sustainability-focused standards help hospitals reduce waste and improve long-term service quality.
- To establish sustainable healthcare systems, hospitals should start with small, impactful actions (“quick wins”) and progressively expand their sustainability initiatives.
Key Lessons from Australia for Thailand
- Reducing medical waste and energy consumption: measures include minimizing single-use plastics and adopting renewable energy solutions in hospitals.
- Recycling and reusing water: utilizing treated dialysis water reduces the reliance on freshwater resources.
- Promoting green technology in hospitals: implementing solar energy systems, smart energy management, and energy conservation strategies in hospital infrastructure.
- Enhancing collaboration between healthcare institutions and government agencies: policies should support sustainable, environmentally friendly healthcare systems.
Conclusion
Australia’s approach to sustainable healthcare serves as a global model, including for Thailand. By reducing waste, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and improving infrastructure sustainability, hospitals can enhance efficiency while safeguarding the environment. Applying these principles will help create a healthcare system that is both effective and environmentally responsible.
For Further Reading:
- World Health Organization. Climate change and health [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; [cited 2023 Oct 26]. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/climate-change#tab=tab_1
- Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. ACHS Sustainability Strategy 2024 Summary [Internet]. Sydney: ACHS; 2023 May [cited 2023 Oct 26]. Available from: https://www.achs.org.au/getmedia/40528c8e-d41d-474c-919d-3ce28848bf42/ACHS-SUSTAINABILITY-STRATEGY-2024_SUMMARY_May.pdf
- Health Care Without Harm. About Us [Internet]. Reston (VA): Health Care Without Harm; [cited 2023 Oct 26]. Available from: https://greenhospitals.org/about
Bunnasorn Techajumlernsuk
