The Joint Commission, accreditor of thousands of U.S. healthcare facilities, is rolling out a … [+]
The Joint Commission, accreditor of thousands of U.S. healthcare facilities, is rolling out a voluntary certification in sustainability as hospitals look for ways to combat climate change.
The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 22,000 hospitals, health systems, facilities and programs in the U.S. Health facilities stripped of Joint Commission accreditation could find their Medicare funding in jeopardy thanks to the unique statutory authority from Congress to accredit hospitals.
But the “sustainable healthcare certification” program, which begins Jan. 1, 2024, is voluntary and will not be required to earn accreditation from the Joint Commission. Non-Joint Commission accredited hospitals can also seek the certificate.
Healthcare facilities are already pursuing their own responses to adverse effects of climate change so the Joint Commission says it wants to help guide them “upon requests from healthcare organizations that want to accelerate their sustainable practices and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
“The certification’s national standards and elements of performance establish needed structure, rigor and accountability to accelerate the industry’s growing sustainability efforts,” the Joint Commission said Monday in announcing the new certification. “The program includes setting priorities and governance for sustainability initiatives, creating baselines to measure three sources of GHG emissions, and developing an action plan to reduce them.”
Joint Commission executives and the healthcare providers they accredit see climate change threatening the health of the “current and future population” and have already been working on ways to reduce their carbon footprint. As part of the program, the Joint Commission has created a sustainable healthcare resource center.
“We want to work with the momentum of healthcare organizations leading the way in sustainability excellence – inspiring and guiding others that want to prioritize greener practices,” said Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, president and chief executive officer of The Joint Commission Enterprise.
For example, some healthcare facilities can reduce heating and cooling requirements in areas that are not being used for medical care services such as cafeterias, educational areas and office spaces. Or medical care providers can select anesthetic agents with “lower GHG emissions,” the Joint Commission said.
“Healthcare is one of the largest sectors in the United States and one dedicated to improving people’s health and well-being,” Perlin said. “Now is the time for The Joint Commission to take its place among other leading healthcare organizations to help accelerate environmental sustainability. Together, we can collectively reduce the healthcare sector’s carbon footprint and reduce hospital visits, illnesses, premature deaths and medical costs from severe weather events and other climate impacts.”