Auch Gesundheitseinrichtungen hinterlassen erhebliche ökologische Fußabdrücke. Durch
gezielte Maßnahmen wie Energieeffizienz, Abfallreduktion und den Einsatz erneuerbarer
Energien können Krankenhäuser nicht nur Betriebskosten senken, sondern auch ihre Umweltbelastung
minimieren. Im Beitrag werden mögliche klimafreundliche Veränderungen im Gesundheitssektor
vorgestellt und hinsichtlich ihrer Vereinbarkeit mit hygienischen Anforderungen bewertet.
Abstract
In the course of climate change, doctors will not only be confronted with heat-related
consequences, but also with the emergence of infectious diseases caused by previously
tropical pathogens in temperate climate zones.
Fortunately, the topics of sustainability and climate change are also becoming increasingly
important in discussions in the healthcare sector, which accounts for 4.4% of global
greenhouse gas emissions. The topic of hygienically safe sustainability in healthcare
facilities is highly complex due to the large number of possible adjustments, but
also offers a great deal of potential.
Numerous measures can be implemented without any restrictions in terms of hygiene
requirements or occupational safety.
It is not always the large investments that make their contribution to reducing CO2-emissions – many smaller measures can also be implemented without high costs, but
with great sustainability potential. Similar to hand hygiene compliance, behavior
modification by each individual plays a decisive role in the implementation of such
projects. There is great practical savings potential, for example, in the indication-based
use of disposable medical gloves, the hygienically safe handling of medication or
the decision between reusable and disposable medical products, just to name a few
items discussed in the article.
Schlüsselwörter
Krankenhaushygiene - Umwelt - Händehygiene - Unternehmensführung - Environment, Social,
Governance (ESG)
Keywords
hospital hygiene - environment - hand hygiene - sustainable management - Environment,
Social, Governance (ESG)
