The UVA Health System Sustainability Committee conducted an engagement survey to gauge clinician attitudes towards sustainability, revealing deep enthusiasm for reducing waste and energy use in health care delivery.
By 3rd-year student Ben Nilson
Based on results from a recent survey of UVA workers, roughly 94% are interested in sustainability, and the vast majority want more opportunities to engage in saving energy, reducing waste, and other sustainability practices. The results offer positive reinforcement for UVA Health leadership who have been adopting initiatives to improve the system’s environmental footprint.
The UVA Health System Sustainability Committee conducted the survey of clinicians and contractors to gauge attitudes about sustainability, as well as the level of interest in particular sustainability topics and actions. Of the 166 responses they received, 57% of respondents are “very interested” and 37% are “moderately interested” in sustainability initiatives.
The topic of greatest interest is waste minimization with 85% responding affirmatively. More than 60 ideas around waste minimization were provided in the free response question on how to make the health system more sustainable. Respondents said they support a more robust culture of waste minimization, including better access to recycling, reducing single-use plastics, expanding composting, and supporting departments in identifying and educating ways to reduce waste. These efforts would build on the current waste reduction initiatives underway in some departments.
The following topics are also of great interest for about half of respondents: sustainable food, energy efficiency and carbon reduction, clinician and staff engagement, and the connection between climate and health. Respondents wanted to see improvements in the Health System’s carbon footprint, energy efficiency and opportunities for renewable energy. Further, employees expressed a desire for lower-carbon commuting options, including encouraging biking and carpooling.
About one in five respondents are interested in making operating rooms and research labs more sustainable. The Health System Sustainability Committee has a Greening the OR Workgroup that is focused on, among other things, reducing unnecessary energy consumption in unoccupied ORs during nights and weekends. The UVA Green Labs program supports UVA Health, School of Medicine and academic research labs in pursuing energy savings and waste reduction through a certification program and seasonal campaigns. And the UVA Smart Labs program helps improve occupant safety and energy efficiency.
Many respondents want to take action and implement solutions to these issues. When asked what type of opportunities they would like to see, more than two-thirds want “initiatives that incentivize and encourage sustainable actions.” The same number wanted sustainability-focused communications, such as a newsletter or customized listservs for sharing information.
Nearly half of respondents would like professional development and education relating to sustainability in healthcare, and expressed a desire to create working groups to explore solutions to sustainability issues. One-third are interested customized guidance and events focused on sustainability.
>> SEE THE SUMMARY RESULTS HERE (PDF)
Ideas abound
To elaborate on these ideas, almost two-thirds of respondents shared one (or many!) ideas on how they would like to make UVA Health more sustainable. Primarily, clinicians were most concerned about waste reduction. They cited the lack of recycling bins on hospital floors and the amount of waste produced through single-use items and paper consumption. Digitalization was cited as a possible solution, along with improved recycling access and composting throughout hospitals. Specifically, employees mentioned opportunities like recycling nitrile gloves and the plastic bags that contain Primasate.
Cafeteria food was also noted, with efforts focused on sustainable sourcing and composting, and the use of Styrofoam. The cafes in University Hospital and the West Complex have been working to increase the amount of sustainable food served, and respondents are interested in that effort continuing.
Finally, clinicians wanted to see administrative support for sustainability, expressing a desire for positions that work closely on sustainability and that would facilitate communication and action. Along with this, employees voiced a need to see mandatory employee training modules and other efforts towards education and re-education.
Following analysis of these survey results, the UVA Health System Sustainability Committee is already identifying ideas to put in motion. The committee is looking to establish new working groups for clinicians interested in specific topics, including waste minimization and sustainable procurement.
Going forward, the committee will continue to support the interests and needs of clinicians. While the working groups address specific topics, there is also effort to target more abstract goals, including establishing more consistent engagement with leadership and creating opportunities for professional development.
Clinicians are willing and excited to create a more sustainable future for the Health System. If you are interested in getting involved, contact the UVA Health System Sustainability Committee at [email protected].
Ben Nilson is a 3rd-year student majoring in Public Policy & Leadership and Global Sustainability. Within the Office for Sustainability, he works with Strategic Planning to help schools and units develop specialized plans to reach the University’s wider sustainability goals. Ben is interested in environmental justice and policy.