The healthcare industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in America. With more and more regulations being rolled out by different federal, state, and local agencies, it’s no wonder that this industry has been dubbed “Sustainable healthcare practices”. Because of all these regulations, finding a way to stay compliant without sacrificing your clinic’s clinical care or patient experience can be challenging. The good news is that there are a few sustainable practices you can start with right now, which will help keep you compliant as well as help improve the health and wellness of your patients in the long run.
Proper disposal of medical waste
Every year, there are more than 700,000 tons of medical waste created across the globe. It is estimated that 8-20% of these wastes are bio-hazardous, which means that these wastes can cause serious infections if not properly destroyed. Additionally, handling medical wastes may cause diseases such as Hepatitis A, E, B, and C, and other infections. Medical waste is often generated by hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
These wastes may comprise syringes that have been used to administer medications, IV bags filled with liquids that were used to administer medications, bandages that came from dressings used to cover wounds, and medical devices such as X-Ray machines and ultrasound devices that have been used to obtain diagnostic images.
Walk before you ride
Healthy lifestyles really do start at home, and one great way to start building a healthy lifestyle is by walking your dog. A study published in 2017 found that walking your dog for at least 30 minutes a day may help prevent heart disease and other conditions related to poor health. It’s also a great exercise for both you and your dog, who can help relieve stress while providing a source of unconditional love and companionship.
Be a good dietary citizen
While many people associate sustainable practices with a reduced healthcare budget, it’s important to remember that implementing sustainable practices at a clinic level can help reduce healthcare costs in the long run. One great way to do this is by making sure that the food that is served to your patients is healthy and nutritious. Fortunately, there are much Sustainable healthcare practices you can use to help you do this, including
- Focus on whole foods. Whole foods are foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes that are rich in nutrients and low in calories.
- Serve meals that are rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- Serve foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugars.
- Serve drinks that are low in sodium and high in potassium.
- Make sure that your patients are hydrated by serving drinks with minimal amounts of sodium.
- Limit high-fat foods that are high in saturated fats.
- Make sure that your patients are eating enough protein to maintain their muscle mass.
- Don’t serve snacks that are high in refined sugar.
Educate your front-line staff
When it comes to sustainable healthcare practices, the key is to get your front-line staff on board. This can be done through education, and it can also be done by implementing lean management techniques. One great way to do this is by encouraging your staff to educate their patients on the importance of a sustainable lifestyle. Many patients already want to be healthy with Sustainable healthcare practice, but they don’t have the tools or knowledge to help them achieve their goals.
Provide opportunities for physical activity
Many people associate Sustainable healthcare practice with a reduced healthcare budget, but this is far from being the case. What many people don’t realize is that implementing sustainable practices at a clinical level can help reduce healthcare costs in the long run. The good news is that implementing this Sustainable healthcare practice can also help improve the health and well-being of your patients, which makes this a win-win situation.
One great way to do this is by encouraging your patients to participate in physical activity Sustainable healthcare practice programs, such as exercise classes and/or regular walking programs. The benefits of doing so are numerous, including:
- Improving your overall health.
- Preventing a number of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
- Reducing your risk of developing certain mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
- Improving your mental well-being, making you feel more confident and happy.
- Making you feel better about yourself, which can help boost self-esteem.
Encourage healthy habits
Healthy living is a core principle of sustainable healthcare practices, and implementing these practices at a clinical level can help reduce healthcare costs in the long run. The good news is that implementing these healthy habits can also help improve the health and well-being of your patients, making this a win-win situation. One great way to do this is by implementing a healthy lifestyle program, such as a healthy eating program or a healthy lifestyle program, such as a yoga or meditation group.
The benefits of doing Sustainable healthcare practice so are numerous, including:
- Improving your overall health.
- Preventing a number of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
- Reducing your risk of developing certain mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
- Improving your mental well-being, making you feel more confident and happy.
- Making you feel better about yourself, which can help boost self-esteem.
- Making you feel more compassionate towards others, which can help you relate to others more compassionately.
- Making you more productive at work and less likely to get sick.
- Making you feel more connected to others, which can help build stronger relationships.
Conclusion
The healthcare industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in America. With more and more regulations being rolled out by different federal, state, and local agencies, it’s no wonder that this industry has been dubbed “Sustainable healthcare practices”. Because of all these regulations, finding a way to stay compliant without sacrificing your clinic’s clinical care or patient experience can be challenging.
The good news is that there are a few Sustainable healthcare practices you can start with right now, which will help keep you compliant as well as help improve the health and wellness of your patients in the long run.
