Environmental sustainability as a management strategy in the hospital environment

Abstract

Hospitals perform several daily functions without interruption throughout the year, and are responsible for a large consumption of energy, water, materials, as well as large generators of solid waste and liquid effluents, thus causing great potential for negative impact on the environment. In this context, the question of this research is to discuss how environmental sustainability can be integrated as a management strategy in the hospital environment? To answer this question, this study aimed to understand the main environmental sustainability practices adopted by Brazilian hospitals, aiming to minimize the environmental impacts caused by their activities. The research is of an exploratory descriptive nature with a qualitative approach, the  study was carried out from a bibliographic and documentary research that  served as a theoretical conceptual reference of the theme, complementing with secondary sources that addressed the practices focused on the health area from the perspective of environmental sustainability. The results showed that the sustainable practices adopted in the hospitals resulted in better economic performance with cost reduction, healthier and more adequate environments, in addition to reaffirming the commitment and concern for the environment and society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2023.007-002