Ready to submit? Share your ESG case study with us here.
Why Share Your ESG Case Study?
By submitting your case study, your organization has an opportunity to be considered for inclusion at a session during the 2023 Modern Healthcare event, ESG: The Implementation Imperative Summit on June 12-13, as well as in a Modern Healthcare Custom Media special ESG section to appear in an issue of Modern Healthcare magazine.
Your organization’s successes and lessons learned are invaluable to share with other healthcare leaders and the sector as we collectively aim to protect human and environmental health – and the ability to do so for future generations.
In the spirit of providing actionable insights and guidance for stakeholders, we are prioritizing case studies with the same quality and data integrity as is consistent with the industry’s commitment to evidence-based practices throughout all of healthcare. Equally important is understanding critical lessons learned along the journey of environmental and social responsibility.
Before beginning your case study submission, here's what you need to know:
- All information and data provided in your submission is confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating the merits of your submission.
- The criteria is listed below, however, the submission form only requires general contact information. After submission, Modern Healthcare will reach out for more details regarding the specifics of your case study no later than May 3, 2023.
- The final deadline to submit is April 5, 2023.
- If you have questions on the submission process, please email Grace Garrett, project coordinator at Modern Healthcare at grace.garrett@modernhealthcare.com.
Criteria
E- ENVIRONMENT
Carbon Emissions Reduction - The Built Environment
Hundreds of organizations have committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, either through the HHS pledge or as part of the Science Based Target Initiative. With the healthcare sector contributing over 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions – and the link between emissions, air pollution and public health – healthcare systems are seeking to reduce their embodied and operational carbon footprint. No longer will carbon reduction simply be a talking point, a “nice to have,” or an item that is later value engineered. Instead, carbon footprints will be the foundation of healthcare design strategies and a requirement for all healthcare projects. Innovation in design, construction and renovation practice is urgently needed to create the low-carbon, sustainable, patient-centric healthcare service models of the future.
What steps is your organization taking to reduce carbon emissions in facility design and construction for new build and renovation projects?
Case study content should cover topics including strategies, programs and requirements of stakeholders (architects, interior designers, GCs, etc.) to meet green building standards in new construction and renovation. They should also include requirements for suppliers of building materials, interior furnishings and building systems to support environmental and social responsibility through design and construction. Third-party verified quantitative data should be included in demonstrating impact achievements.
Carbon Emissions Reduction - Operations
Hospitals are highly energy-intensive, using 2.5 times more energy per square foot than an office building. Healthcare organizations spend more than $6.5 billion on energy each year. Based on Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBEC) data, a 30% cut in healthcare electricity’s carbon pollution by 2030 would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This reduction is estimated to prevent 4,130 premature deaths, 85,000 asthma attacks, 4 million respiratory symptom events, 3,750 hospital visit incidents, and would save about $1.2 billion in medical costs.
What steps is your organization taking to reduce carbon emissions in operations?
Case study content should cover topics including strategies, programs, and requirements of stakeholders in topic areas such as implementing renewable energy programs, adopting innovative healthcare delivery procedures such as telehealth, or working with medical device manufacturers to reduce operational energy requirements. Third-party verified quantitative data should be included in demonstrating impact achievements.
Carbon Emissions Reduction - Supply Chain
Eighty percent of a healthcare system’s emissions come from the supply chain. Reducing the embodied carbon of products used throughout healthcare begins with measuring the environmental impact of a product’s entire lifecycle – from material sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, maintenance and energy requirements while in use, and end-of-use alternatives in support of circularity.
What steps is your organization taking to consider the environmental impacts of products and carbon reduction initiatives of suppliers?
Case study content must include examples of changes in policies, practices and evaluation methods being implemented. Preference will be given to case studies providing examples of the use of data and analytics to complete supplier and product evaluations, and the integration of results into sourcing, value analysis committee reviews and contracting decisions.
S- SOCIAL
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Acute labor shortages are creating significant barriers to delivering affordable and quality healthcare to patient populations throughout the U.S. Of critical importance in recruiting and retaining healthcare workers, and supporting healthy communities is an organization’s demonstrated leadership in DEI. Leadership in DEI includes organizational leadership, training and education, supplier diversity goals, recruitment and mentorship programs, and thoughtful operating practices that positively support employees from diverse backgrounds.
What steps is your organization taking to implement DEI initiatives in your organization’s leadership, recruiting, training, and operating practices?
Answers must include examples of changes in policies, practices and evaluation methods being implemented. Preference will be given to case studies providing examples of the use of systems, data and analytics to track DEI performance and progress throughout your organization.
Patient and Community Health
Supporting the health and well-being of patient populations is tied directly to achieving health equity. Reducing avoidable inequalities, addressing historical and contemporary injustices, and implementing initiatives tied to social determinants of health are critical measures to eliminate disparities in health and healthcare.
What has your health system done via environmental, social or governance initiatives to impact health outcomes through improved access and economic vitality for local and/or historically underserved communities?
Answers must include examples of changes in policies, practices, investment, and evaluation methods being implemented. Preference will be given to case studies providing examples of the use of systems, data, and analytics to track patient and community health initiatives, outcomes and progress throughout your organization.
G- GOVERNANCE
Accountability and Culture
Creation and implementation of an organizational ESG framework comes from the c-suite and its board of directors and builds buy-in from staff through effective communication and alignment. An organization’s structure and policies should enable accountability and transparency of its ESG priorities through reporting and measurement of its progress and become embedded in the organization’s strategy and purpose.
What has your health system done to establish responsible governance to ensure racial and gender diversity among board members and organizational leadership, provide cultural competence training for staff, establish pay equity, and policies for business ethics and prevention of fraud and ethics breaches?
Case study content must include examples of corporate social responsibility, ESG or sustainability reports that track and share measurable data on ESG goal progress, changes in pay equity, ethics compliance and fraud policies, examples of effective staff training and education, and advances made in gender or racial diversity within governing board and organizational leadership.
ESG Financial Reporting and ROI
Initiatives in environmental and social responsibility have been proven to reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, attract, and retain talent, mitigate risks, and improve an organization’s reputation. Institutional investors are allocating more capital toward investments that meet ESG criteria and require robust supporting data and analytics. Boards of directors throughout the industry are working with c-suite executives to adopt ESG practices in support of improved organizational performance, and financial leaders are preparing for future disclosure and reporting requirements to ensure access to affordable capital.
How is your healthcare organization responding to increased demands for ESG reporting?
Answers must include examples of changes in policies, practices, and evaluation methods being implemented, and if relevant, methods to support Financial Risk Disclosure on annual audited financial statements. Preference will be given to case studies providing examples of the use of systems, data and analytics to track DEI performance and progress throughout your organization. Include measurable results of environmental and social responsibility initiatives such as carbon reduction, risk mitigation, DEI, and other reporting examples.
Ready to submit? Share your ESG case study with us here.
*All information and data provided in your submission is confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating the merits of your case study.