The link between sustainability

and digitalization
Abdirahman Hussein Nor
22215681
Healthcare technological developments and
digitalization
Introduction

• In 2015, 193 countries agreed on 17 sustainable

development goals, the nations’ delegates signed a
challenging agenda aimed to render this planet
livable for future generations within the next
15 years.
Cont…

• Despite many efforts in developing and developed

countries, none of the member states of the United
Nations has achieved all goals yet (Seele & Lock,
2017). So the call for intensifying engagement and
transforming societies remains open. This is where
Big Data and Digitalization comes in.
Cont…

• Digital technologies in the form of e-health services,

robotics, or emission reduction solutions could help
individuals, organizations, and nations achieve a
more sustainable planet in light of the sustainable
development goals
 Sustainability in Healthcare

Sustainability in healthcare management entails the

holistic integration of environmental, social, and
economic considerations into all areas of healthcare
operations. It not only aims to reduce the environmental
impact of healthcare facilities and operations, but also
focuses on enhancing the health and well-being of
patients and staff, and striving for a more equitable and
just healthcare system.
Cont…..

Notable examples of healthcare organizations

implementing sustainability include the Mayo Clinic,
Kaiser Permanente, and Boston Medical Center.
These organizations demonstrate a committed focus
on sustainability through initiatives to reduce energy
consumption, water usage, waste, and by fostering
healthier lifestyles amongst their patients and staff.
Cont…..

A study by the American Hospital Association found

that hospitals practicing sustainability saved an
average of $1.2 million per year. Furthermore,
sustainability initiatives have been found to improve
patient outcomes. A study by the University of
California, Berkeley, found that hospitals with
sustainability programs had lower rates of patient
infection and readmission
Environmental sustainability

Environmental Sustainability: Healthcare systems are

major contributors to environmental degradation,
with high energy consumption, waste generation, and
carbon emissions. Sustainable healthcare aims to
minimize environmental impact through energy
efficiency, waste reduction, and adoption of
renewable resources (X. Chen et al., 2020)
Social sustainability

Social Sustainability: Access to healthcare services,

equity in healthcare delivery, and social responsibility
are integral components of social sustainability in
healthcare. Initiatives such as community engagement,
health education, and inclusive healthcare policies
promote social sustainability (Hancock et al., 2020)
 Economic sustainability

Economic sustainability: refers to practices that support

long-term economic growth without compromising
other dimensions of sustainability. The economic aspect
covers strategies that promote cost savings, profits,
research, and development. Under this dimension of
sustainability, most researchers have concentrated on the
financial self-sufficiency of publicly funded healthcare
systems (Mehra & Sharma, 2021).
Digitalization in healthcare

• Electronic Health Records (EHR): Digitalization

facilitates the transition from paper-based records to
electronic health records, enabling efficient data
storage, retrieval, and sharing among healthcare
providers. EHR systems improve patient care
coordination, reduce medical errors, and enhance
clinical decision-making (Adler-Milstein et al.,
2021)
Cont….

• Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring: Digital

technologies enable remote delivery of healthcare
services through telemedicine platforms and
wearable devices for remote patient monitoring.
Telemedicine enhances access to healthcare,
especially in underserved areas, and enables real-
time monitoring of patient health metrics (Dorsey et
al., 2018).
Cont…

Health Information Exchange (HIE): Interoperable

digital systems facilitate the exchange of health
information among different healthcare entities,
promoting care coordination and continuity. HIE
enhances communication among providers, reduces
redundant tests and procedures, and improves patient
outcomes (Adler-Milstein & Jha, 2014)
 The Nexus between Sustainability and
Digitalization

Efficiency and Resource Optimization: Digitalization

in healthcare promotes sustainability by optimizing
resource utilization and reducing inefficiencies.
Electronic health records minimize paper usage and
storage space, while telemedicine reduces the need for
patient travel, lowering carbon emissions (Eckelman et
al., 2020)
Cont….

Enhanced Access and Equity: Digital health

technologies improve access to healthcare services,
particularly for marginalized populations and remote
communities, thus promoting social sustainability.
Telemedicine enables virtual consultations and remote
monitoring, overcoming geographical barriers to care
(Scott Kruse et al., 2018).
Cont….

Data-driven Sustainability Initiatives: Digital platforms

generate vast amounts of data that can be leveraged to
drive sustainability initiatives in healthcare. Analytics
tools can identify opportunities for waste reduction,
energy efficiency improvements, and sustainable
procurement practices (L. Chen et al., 2019).
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