Lessons from a health system’s sustainability journey and the importance of turning commitment into measurable progress.
Sustainability in healthcare is not achieved through a single project or initiative. It requires a long-term commitment, consistent measurement and the ability to turn opportunities into impactful action.
But sustainability in healthcare is about more than reducing environmental impact. While that aspect is important, sustainable practices also help health systems manage resources responsibly, control costs and strengthen operations for the long term. Energy efficiency, resource management and thoughtful investments can support both environmental goals and the financial and operational health of an organization.
Pointcore has been doing this work for years, helping healthcare organizations turn sustainability goals into practical, measurable action. One health system where Pointcore has been a longstanding partner in sustainability efforts is OSF HealthCare. Together, we have been building an approach to sustainability for decades, helping develop a comprehensive energy and sustainability program, identify opportunities for improvement, translate data into actionable strategies and bring the progress achieved to life through the OSF Sustainability Report.
The health system’s latest Sustainability Report highlights the many results achieved along the way, as well as the ongoing work behind it. It reflects years of collaboration, continued investment and a shared commitment to making sustainability an integral part of healthcare operations — where environmental responsibility and operational sustainability go hand in hand.
An Expert's Perspective
with Michael Keefe
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Michael Keefe, Manager of Energy, Sustainability and Commissioning at Pointcore, serves as Pointcore's energy and sustainability managed service resource and has been leading the sustainability program of OSF for many years. Through this ongoing partnership, he works alongside OSF to advance its sustainability strategy, identify opportunities for improvement and translate data into actionable initiatives.
Here, he shares what the past several years have revealed about building a successful sustainability program for our client, what has changed, what has remained consistent and where he sees the field headed next.
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What We've Learned from a Long-Term
Sustainability Journey
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Looking back at the past several years of developing sustainability reports for OSF HealthCare and advancing its energy and sustainability program, what has stood out to you most?
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What has stood out most is the cumulative impact of consistent, long-term action. Individual projects may seem small on their own, but when they are pursued in a consistent, steadfast and process-driven manner, they can create meaningful change across an organization.
The sustainability program of OSF has been developing since 1999, and that long-term commitment has allowed individual projects and investments to build on one another over time. Sustainability of progress requires that day-to-day reinforcement, supported by senior leaders across the organization.
One of the most significant changes has been the evolution of technology. Technologies associated with "smart buildings," for example, have advanced considerably since 1999, opening new opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
At the same time, some of the most important principles have remained consistent.
Data drives decisions that drive change and establish credibility. And ultimately, sustainability is achieved by people at every level of an organization supporting the program — not viewing it as an "extra" or something that's simply nice to have, but as an aspect of operations that deserves the same consideration as cost, quality, safety and other performance measures.
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How should hospitals and health systems approach energy and sustainability, particularly if they're just getting started?
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The sustainability journey begins by clearly defining the "why" behind the work.
For OSF, that "why" is grounded in their Mission of serving others with the greatest care and love, and the recognition that community health and environmental conditions are interconnected.
Healthcare has long taken action when environmental factors affect human health. For example, hospitals phased out mercury thermometers in the 1990s because of the health risks associated with mercury. In a similar way, organizations can look at how healthcare itself affects the environment and identify opportunities to reduce that impact.
For OSF, that includes reducing carbon emissions associated with energy use and supply chain activities. Other hospitals and health systems may have different priorities based on their unique circumstances, from energy efficiency and resource management to waste reduction, resiliency or other operational needs. The key is to define what sustainability means for your organization and connect it to the issues you are already working to address.
Establishing that connection between sustainability and an organization's broader mission can help move the conversation beyond individual projects and make sustainability part of how the organization operates.
For organizations just beginning that journey, a good place to start is by taking an honest look at current energy use, resource consumption and operations to identify where opportunities exist. From there, starting a conversation with an experience partner such as Pointcore can help organizations evaluate those opportunities and prioritize areas of action for a practical path forward.
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Looking Toward the Future of Healthcare Sustainability
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What are you most excited about for the future of energy and sustainability in healthcare? Are there trends on the horizon that organizations should be watching?
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One of the biggest opportunities ahead is the changing energy landscape. Increasing demand for energy in the United States is likely to drive continued development across a range of energy sources, creating new opportunities for renewable energy to become increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuel sources.
That evolution has the potential to support a more self-sufficient, resilient, cleaner and healthier national infrastructure.
Healthcare organizations should watch these developments closely. Energy is a fundamental operational resource, and changes in availability, cost and the mix of energy sources could influence how health systems approach environmental goals, efficiency, infrastructure investment and long-term resilience.
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Looking Beyond the Report
The OSF Sustainability Report provides a snapshot of progress, but the larger lesson is the importance of treating sustainability as an ongoing operational effort.
Pointcore's longstanding work with OSF has provided firsthand insight into what it takes to sustain that progress: consistent measurement, leadership support, a clear connection to organizational mission and a willingness to continually identify new opportunities.
Pointcore is committed to bringing that experience to more healthcare organizations, helping them develop practical energy and sustainability strategies that support both environmental goals and long-term operational performance. We look forward to continuing our work to turn sustainability into measurable progress for health systems and the many communities they serve.
Want to learn more about our energy and sustainability services?
Talk to a Pointcore representative today to learn more about how we can help!
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