THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN SURGERY

Because of the complexity of surgical services and their impact on hospitals’ bottom line, perioperative administrators have arguably one of the most challenging and influential positions within a healthcare facility. The OR is the largest generator of revenue for hospitals and accounts for approximately 40% of total revenue.1 The OR also comprises up to 56% of overall hospital supply expense.2 Surgical services also have a significant environmental footprint.3–7 Environmental exposures associated with energy generation, climate change, waste disposal, and chemical exposures have a detrimental impact on human health.8–14 Measures that “reduce the need for medical services to treat conditions that can be prevented, thereby, helping to control costs” are included in the Affordable Care Act.15

Visit PracticeGreenhealth.org to read more.