GlobalData’s ESG Framework (2024 Edition) describes how environmental issues are increasingly influencing the way business is conducted globally and illustrates how regulators are clamping down and imposing an influx of new ESG [environmental, social and governance]-related regulations.
One sector of note is healthcare, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and must work on reducing these. One critical aspect of reducing these emissions is making changes in patient care pathways. But how can we cut these emissions?
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Decarbonising facilities
Hospitals consume significantly more energy than standard office buildings, which presents a substantial opportunity for emissions reduction. Implementing energy efficiency measures such as LED lighting retrofits, variable frequency drives (VFDs) for motors, and low-flow plumbing systems would significantly decrease energy consumption and minimise direct emissions associated with patient care operations. By optimising energy use, hospitals can reduce their Scope 1 [direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organisation] and Scope 2 [indirect emissions that are a consequence of the activities of an organisation but occur from sources not owned or controlled by it] emissions, which are directly linked to their operational activities.
Elsewhere, 20% of healthcare emissions come from heat and power. Creating more energy-efficient buildings by using circular construction practices and environmentally sustainable materials and energy sources can alleviate emissions from facilities.
Delivering care differently
Delivering care differently can help to reduce healthcare emissions. For example, remote care technologies, such as telemedicine and remote monitoring, allow patients to receive care without the need to travel to healthcare facilities. This is particularly beneficial for patients who are stable enough to be treated at home, as it reduces transport time and the associated greenhouse gas emissions. For example, OhioHealth’s partnership with Zipline to deliver prescriptions and lab samples via drones is projected to achieve a 97% reduction in GHG emissions related to these activities. Telemedicine and wearable devices can increase access to specialist care and decrease the need for patient travel. This reduces emissions without affecting the quality of care.
A study published in April 2024 by Imperial College London demonstrated that remote monitoring of heart attack patients reduced hospital readmissions. The study found that patients were 76% less likely to be readmitted to the hospital within six months compared to those in standard care.
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By GlobalDataDisease prevention
Improving disease prevention plays a crucial role in decreasing emissions within patient care pathways by minimising the overall burden of diseases and reducing the need for extensive healthcare services that contribute to GHG emissions. Preventive measures, such as vaccinations, early screenings and lifestyle interventions, could help minimise hospital admissions, patients’ transportation, and medical waste. Minimising risk factors for preventing diseases is cost-effective and reduces healthcare’s carbon footprint. Vaccination programmes are an effective prevention measure and can potentially reduce disease prevalence, contributing to lower emissions.
Avoiding disease progression, addressing risk factors and improving health management can enhance health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and lower emissions. For example, AstraZeneca’s OPERA platform is working on improving heart failure diagnosis pathways. It enables non-specialist practitioners to diagnose heart failure. This results in a decrease in waiting times, faster treatment, and a reduction in hospitalisations, which in turn resulted in a cut of 8kg of CO₂e [carbon dioxide equivalent] per patient per year.
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