Post on 10-Dec-2015
Health Systems SustainabilityHealth Systems Sustainability
Bernardo Ramirez MD, MBA
University of Central Florida
College of Health and Public Affairs
Department of Health Management and Informatics
Sustainability:Sustainability:
The capacity of health services to function with efficiency, including the financial, environment and social interaction that guaranties an effective service now and in the future, with a minimum of external intervention and without limiting the capacity of future generations to fulfill their needs.
Adapted from Gallopin Gilberto. A systems approach to sustainability and sustainable development. Sustainable Development and Human settlements Division. ECLAC/Government of the Netherlands. Project “Sustainable Assessment in Latin America and the Caribbean” Santiago de Chile, March 2003
Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development
Sustainability and sustainable development are concepts and principles that impact all human activities and permeate throughout all the fields of knowledge. Founded in basic principles of environmental and social development have essential implications for organizations and countries alike. In health care quality sustainability principles and practices can be applied to every aspect of this complex and multidisciplinary industry
Areas and DimensionsAreas and DimensionsSustainability of ProcessesSustainability of OrganizationsThe dimensions of sustainability are
grouped in five areas:– The environment – Socio-Cultural– Institutional Capacity Development– The Financial Dimension – The Political Dimension
The Environmental Dimension
Pollution of the EnvironmentWaste Management
– Solid Residues (biological and infectious) – Radioactive Residues– Chemical and Gases
Security measures for staff, patients and all users
Socio-Cultural Dimension Socio-Cultural Dimension
Social conditions and local cultural peculiarities
Demographic and Epidemiological Characteristics of the Service Area
Community ParticipationShared Trust and Social AccountabilityIntegrated Networks of Services that
include providers, users and community
Guidelines to establish a framework Guidelines to establish a framework of shared responsibilityof shared responsibility
Clear roles and responsibilitiesClear and achievable Performance
expectations Balanced capacities and expectations
among the participants (Partners) Accurate and timely reports Reasonable adjustments and reviews
Institutional Capacity Development
Governance Involvement and Leadership
Management CapacityFacilities and TechnologyThe Human CapitalInstitutional Values and EthicsPerformance, quality and safetyKnowledge Management
Financial Dimension
Internal Financial Capacity (An efficient accounting system and cost control)
A Financial Plan for sustainability (Long and middle term)– A Business Plan– Financial Reserves – Resource Generation and investment– To be and stay competitive
Political DimensionPolitical Dimension
Balance of the internal and external political forces
Leadership and negotiating capacity of the senior executives
Communication skills
Additional ReferencesAdditional References Chung, J. (2009) Estimate of the Carbon Footprint of the US Health Care Sector. Journal of the
American Medical Association. Vol 302, No.18 pp1970-72 http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/302/18/1970
Gallopin G. (2003). A systems approach to sustainability and sustainable development. Environment and Development. Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division. ECLAC/Government of the Netherlands. Project “Sustainable Assessment in Latin America and the Caribbean” Santiago de Chile. Retrieved on May 15, 2010 from: http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/8/12288/lcl1864i.pdf
Middleberg M. (2004) Assessing Management Capacity Among Non-Governmental Organizations. Management and Organizational Sustainability Tool (MOST). Management Sciences for Health. Bethesda MD. Retrieved on May 15, 2010 from: http://erc.msh.org/toolkit/toolkitfiles/file/ngo2.pdf
Sustainable Development Appraisal Tool. Health Impact Assessment. Tools, guides and overview. (n.d.) Yorkshire/Humberside Regional Working Group. World Health Organization. Retrieved on May 15, 2010 from: http://www.who.int/hia/tools/toolkit/whohia102/en/index.html
Sustainable Development Indicators to monitor the implementation of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. (2005). Commission of the European Community. Brussels, BE. Retrieved on May 15, 2010 from: http://ec.europa.eu/sustainable/docs/sec2005_0161_en.pdf
Sustainable Development Indicators in Your Pocket. (2009). Securing the Future: Delivering UK Sustainable Development Strategy. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London, UK. Retrieved on May 15, 2010 from: http://www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government/progress/documents/SDIYP2009_a9.pdf
The Sustainability Planning Workbook. (2010) The Finance Project. Washington D.C. Retrieved on May 15, 2010 from: http://www.financeproject.org/special/engage/workbook.cfm