FAQs
Strategic planning for hospitals involves creating a long-term roadmap to achieve sustainability and success. It includes defining the mission and vision, conducting an analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, setting realistic goals and objectives, and engaging stakeholders at all levels. This process helps hospitals address challenges, optimize efficiencies, enhance patient satisfaction, and improve sustainability.
For more details, visit: https://www.syntellis.com/strategic-planning-in-healthcare/examples
Choosing Wisely Canada is a campaign that aims to promote smart and effective health care by encouraging physicians and patients to engage in conversations about unnecessary tests, treatments, and procedures. By providing recommendations and resources across various medical specialties, the initiative helps reduce low-value practices, which can improve patient care and minimize environmental impact. Their climate-conscious recommendations specifically target reducing healthcare practices that harm the environment without compromising patient care. This contributes to more sustainable and efficient healthcare systems.
For more information, visit Choosing Wisely Canada.
On the Choosing Wisely Canada website a list of 14 tests and treatment to questions was added by the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s Guideline and Knowledge Translation Working Group (GKTWG) in 2023. This list of candidate recommendations is based from recent evidence based findings in support of reducing unnecessary testing or treatments.
For more information visit: https://choosingwiselycanada.org/recommendation/family-medicine/
Quality improvement (QI) projects in health care address systemic challenges by employing structured activities to assess and enhance the effectiveness of standard processes, programs, or services. These projects involve continuous, data-driven efforts to improve patient outcomes, streamline operations, and increase efficiency. Key components include identifying areas for improvement, implementing changes, and measuring the impact of those changes. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, QI projects aim to elevate the overall quality of care, ensure patient safety, and optimize resource utilization within health care systems.
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Advance care planning is a proactive process in which individuals consider and document their preferences for future health care, ensuring their wishes are respected if they become unable to make decisions themselves. This involves outlining specific desires for hospital care during or after surgery, decisions regarding end-of-life care, and instructions for treatment following accidents or sudden health events. It often includes designating a health care proxy or power of attorney to make decisions on one's behalf, ensuring that all care aligns with personal values and preferences.
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Due to over 90% of prescriptions being assigned to the community, Using Antiobiotics Wisely has created material and resources to help clinicians Choose Wisley in practice.
To see the practise change recommendations visit the website: https://choosingwiselycanada.org/primary-care/antibiotics/
Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) is a breath activated device that delivers drugs in capsules or blisters that would need to be punctured before use. Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) use a propellant to deliver medicine to the lungs in the form of a hand held aerosol. While both types of inhalers are effective for delivering respiratory treatments, MDIs pose significant environmental concerns due to the release of substantial amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the propellants used, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
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Reusable gowns are medical garments designed to be used multiple times after proper cleaning and disinfection. They are made from durable materials that withstand rigorous washing and sterilization processes, such as polyester blends or other synthetic fabrics.
Unlike disposable gowns that are discarded after one use, reusable gowns can be laundered and reused multiple times, thereby reducing the demand for new materials and minimizing waste generation. This approach promotes resource efficiency by conserving raw materials and reducing the energy and water consumption associated with manufacturing new products.
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Letters to suppliers express a health care organisations commitment to reducing their environmental footprint and integrating environmentally friendly solutions into their procurement strategy. The letter asks suppliers for clarity on their environmental commitments, transparency regarding their operational practices, and an assessment of their environmental performance so organisations can make well-informed procurement decisions.
View a sample letter HERE.
Learn more about sustainable procurement: https://greenhealthcare.ca/sustainable-procurement/
Active transportation refers to any form of human-powered movement used to travel from one place to another. This includes walking, cycling, and using non-motorized vehicles like scooters and skateboards. Active transportation promotes physical activity, reduces traffic congestion, lowers environmental impact, and can improve public health and community well-being.
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Health care facilities can encourage active transportation among staff by improving infrastructure, offering incentives, and fostering a supportive culture. Installing secure bicycle racks, providing showers and changing rooms, and ensuring safe pathways make biking and walking more convenient. Additionally, offering financial incentives, rewards programs, and flexible work hours can motivate staff to opt for active commuting options.
Educational initiatives and awareness campaigns play a crucial role in promoting active transportation. Workshops on bike safety and maintenance, along with regular communication highlighting the benefits, can increase participation. Collaborating with local organizations and participating in community events further strengthens these efforts.
Incorporating active transportation into health and wellness programs, offering bike repair services, and providing shuttle services for longer commutes are additional measures that can facilitate a shift towards more sustainable commuting habits. These strategies not only promote physical health among employees but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
Bullfrog Power is a leading renewable energy provider that offers green energy solutions such as green electricity, natural gas, and fuel. They help healthcare offices and clinics reduce their environmental impact by displacing their conventional energy use with clean, renewable alternatives. Clinics can engage with Bullfrog Power by signing up for green energy plans, which support the generation of renewable energy from sources like wind, solar, and low-impact hydro projects. This commitment helps healthcare facilities meet their sustainability goals and demonstrate environmental responsibility.
For more information visit Bullfrog Power.
Nature prescriptions involve spending time in natural environments to help reduce anxiety, combat depression, and enhance immunity, sleep quality, and blood pressure. PaRx, an initiative by the BC Parks Foundation, is spearheaded by health care professionals dedicated to improving patient health by encouraging nature exposure. This program formally integrates nature into health care plans, recognizing the profound physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. By connecting patients with nature, PaRx aims to foster holistic well-being and encourage a healthier lifestyle.
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Social prescribing is a holistic health care approach that integrates social and medical models of health and wellness. It allows health care professionals to formally refer patients to community-based programs, empowering them to develop new skills and improve their overall health. Examples include participating in art or dance classes, joining local hiking groups, and volunteering in community gardens. This approach not only addresses medical needs but also fosters social connections and personal development, leading to improved mental and physical well-being.
For more information visit: https://www.allianceon.org/Social-Prescribing
Exercise prescriptions are plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient, formulated by fitness or rehabilitation specialists. These plans encompass a variety of elements crucial to achieving the patient's objectives, including duration, intensity, type of exercise, specific workload adjustments, and necessary precautions. Each component is carefully selected to ensure optimal effectiveness and safety in reaching the desired health and fitness outcomes.
For more information visit: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/88648-overview?form=fpf
To see an example visit: https://www.rxfiles.ca/rxfiles/uploads/documents/Exercise-RxFiles-Rx.pdf
Plant-rich prescriptions refer to structured dietary guidelines that prioritize the consumption of plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. These guidelines are designed to optimize health outcomes by promoting a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients while reducing reliance on animal products. Plant-rich prescriptions are tailored to support overall wellbeing, including cardiovascular health, weight management, and disease prevention, while also addressing environmental sustainability concerns by minimizing the ecological footprint associated with food production. They serve as a holistic approach to nutrition, emphasizing the benefits of plant-derived sources of nutrients for both personal health and the planet.
For more information visit: https://www.hamiltonfht.ca/en/what-we-offer/plant-rich-eating.aspx
Climate anxiety is the emotional distress triggered by concerns over the repercussions of climate change on natural environments and human societies. It encompasses feelings of apprehension and unease, often stemming from anticipated future ecological disasters and their potential consequences. Physiologically, climate anxiety can manifest as symptoms like increased heart rate and breathlessness. Behaviorally, it may manifest as difficulty maintaining focus at work or school, and strain on personal relationships.
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Health care professionals can support individuals experiencing climate anxiety by providing education about its psychological impact, offering coping strategies such as mindfulness and cognitive-behavioural techniques, and encouraging engagement in climate-friendly actions. They can also facilitate connections to support networks and advocate for policies that promote mental health resilience in the face of environmental challenges. By addressing climate anxiety proactively and compassionately, healthcare providers can help individuals manage their distress and empower them to contribute positively to both personal wellbeing and environmental sustainability efforts.
If you have any questions please contact Liza Zvereva, elizaveta.zvereva@hamiltonfht.ca