Sustainability Is Healthcare Strategic Approaches for Optimizing Energy, Reducing Carbon Footprint and Enhancing Access to Quality Healthcare

This session will delve into the symbiotic relationship between healthcare and sustainability, emphasizing the critical role of integrating energy cost management, reducing carbon emission reduction and reinvesting back into patient care to advance health equity. It will underscore how increasing access to quality healthcare aligns with sustainable practices and why this should be the guiding principle for healthcare investments. Presenters will use Boston Medical Center (BMC) Health System as a case study to illustrate how reassessing and strategically managing real estate can enhance both environmental sustainability and patient care. As New England's largest safety-net hospital, BMCHS's vision is to "make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world."BMCHS cares for a historically underserved population, and most of its patients come from communities that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. BMCHS has taken several steps to reduce its carbon footprint, use renewable energy and make its campus more sustainable, which has led the system to consider how to productize its expertise to help other institutions.

BMCHS also has implemented innovative, patient-facing programs that directly address the intersection of climate and health equity. For example, the CleanPower Prescription is a first-in-the-nation pilot program that enables BMC Health System providers to write patients a prescription for a reduced utility bill using renewable energy. A solar array at BMC produces electricity, and then energy bill credits generated by solar array are transferred directly to patients' electric bills. The session will conclude with a discussion on how BMCHS's model can be replicated and can serve as a guide and roadmap for other hospitals and health systems to follow and collaborate on researched and best sustainability practices. We all can achieve greater sustainability and improved patient care through strategic real estate and energy resource management. By the end of this session, attendees will be empowered to take actionable steps toward a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain insights into how health organizations can of integrate energy cost management, reduce carbon emission reduction and reinvest back into patient care, advancing health equity.
• Empower healthcare institutions to implement practical and sustainable practices that improve both environmental (e.g., decarbonization) and patient care outcomes to drive health equity.

Speakers:

Cindy Bo, FACHE
SVP, Chief Strategy Officer
Boston Medical Center Health System

David Twitchell, PharmD
SVP/Chief Innovation Officer
Boston Medical Center Health System

Robert Biggio
SVP, Chief Sustainability and Real Estate Officer
Boston Medical Center Health System

Continuing Education Credit

ACHE Qualifying Education Credit

This recording is eligible for 1 ACHE Qualifying Education credit.

ACHE Education credits will be automatically updated in your My ACHE account upon completion of the recording.

Interprofessional Continuing Education Credit

In support of improving patient care, the American College of Healthcare Executives is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive a maximum of 1 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change. For further information about Joint Accreditation credits and certificates, please click here.

Physician Continuing Medical Education

The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Nursing Education

The American College of Healthcare Executives designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 contact hours of continuing nursing education.

Continuing Pharmacy Education

The American College of Healthcare Executives designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum 1 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit. 

Continuing Social Work Education

The American College of Healthcare Executives designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum 1 contact hours of continuing social work education credit.

Physician Associate/Physician Assistant Continuing Education

The American College of Healthcare Executives has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for a maximum of 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.