Four hospitals within Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most integrated health network, are first in the nation to achieve The Joint Commission’s Sustainable Healthcare Certification (SHC). These hospitals have met rigorous standards and elements of performance to establish structure, rigor, and accountability to accelerate healthcare’s growing sustainability efforts.
The four Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals include:
- Hackensack Meridian University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey
- Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center, Holmdel, New Jersey
- Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, New Jersey
- Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center, Brick, New Jersey
Since the healthcare industry accounts for nearly 9% of the nation’s carbon emissions, commitment to keeping people healthy includes recognizing and reducing healthcare’s outsized share of carbon emissions. Responding to and recovering from severe weather events (e.g., wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, and other weather-related emergencies) affect entire communities, healthcare organizations, and their patients, staff, and responders.
The Joint Commission’s SHC provides a framework to help healthcare organizations begin, continue, or expand their decarbonization efforts. It builds on the momentum of healthcare organizations like Hackensack Meridian Health to lead the way in sustainability excellence by inspiring and guiding others who desire to prioritize greener practices.
To achieve SHC, all four hospitals set priorities and governance for sustainability initiatives, including creating baselines to measure three sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and developing an action plan to reduce them. The four hospitals also underwent a virtual certification review to assess their compliance with the SHC program’s requirements.
"We are incredibly proud to be the first hospital network in the nation to receive The Joint Commission's Sustainable Healthcare Certification," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. "This prestigious recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, we recognize the importance of operating in a responsible and sustainable manner. This certification demonstrates our leadership in this critical area and our dedication to protecting the health of our patients, communities, and planet for generations to come."
As a network, Hackensack Meridian Health has established itself as a national leader in sustainability. Recent achievements include:
- Begun implementation of 30 MW on-site solar and battery storage
- Invested more than $116 million in energy-efficient infrastructure upgrades
- Achieved PEER Gold certification for Hackensack University Medical Center’s Central Utility Plant, a recognition of excellence in efficiency and resiliency
- 100% of electronics purchased in 2022 were EPEAT certified
- Saved $1.71 million by reprocessing medical devices and 40,000 pounds diverted from the landfill
- 99% of furnishings purchased were free of harmful chemicals
- 96.7% of cleaning products were third-party eco-logo certified (green)
Additionally, as one of the original signatories to the White House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Climate Pledge, Hackensack Meridian Health and The Joint Commission have each pledged to reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and to achieve net zero by 2050.
Hackensack Meridian Health also has been a leader in healthcare equity. Four of its hospitals were among the first in the nation to achieve The Joint Commission’s Healthcare Equity Certification in late 2023.
“The link between equity and environmental sustainability in healthcare is undeniable. Not everyone is equally at risk from the effects of climate change. The individuals least able to compensate for the effects are those already burdened with adverse social determinants of health,” says Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission enterprise. “Achieving The Joint Commission’s Healthcare Equity Certification and Sustainable Healthcare Certification demonstrate Hackensack Meridian Health’s leadership role and commitment toward responsible and ethical practices.”
Free resources to help healthcare organizations on their sustainability and equity journeys are available on The Joint Commission website.
One of the important factors in sustainable healthcare is energy efficiency, which is the focus of a Spotlight on Boston Medical Center (BMC). BMC approached energy efficiency with the concept that more square footage requires more energy use. Looking at potential inefficiencies through this lens, they implemented an innovative energy efficiency strategy by combining an internal medicine clinic (operating during the day) and a sleep study center (operating only at night) into a multifunctional clinic, reducing operating costs by 8,000 square feet and avoiding $5 million in capital costs. This initiative, part of BMC's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, has resulted in over $8 million in annual utility savings, which was redirected towards patient care.
A founding partner of the Boston Medical Center Health System, BMC is located in the South End of Boston, providing care to urban populations through traditional medical care and programs/services that address comprehensive health. BMC is known as the greenest hospital in the city of Boston and have been by recognized by the White House for their sustainability efforts.
Launched on Sept. 18, 2023, the resource center provides sustainability strategies, tools and tips, Spotlights on leading organizations, cost savings examples, and other key resources to assist in reducing your carbon footprint. While it was designed with certification in mind, it can be an on-ramp for any organization, whether they seek accreditation or not, and wherever they are on their environmental sustainability journey. The resource center includes additional Spotlights from leading organizations, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Seattle Children’s Hospital, Stanford Health Care and more are coming.
Note: Complete the form at each link to get full free access to the Spotlights and Cost Savings resources. Please watch for more Spotlights from other leading organizations!
(Contact: Brette Tschurtz, btschurtz@jointcommission.org)