Hospital sustainability indicators and reduction of socio-environmental impacts: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To synthesize knowledge about hospital sustainability indicators and evidence of reduced socio-environmental impact. Method: Literature scoping review using Pubmed, Science Direct, Scielo and Lilacs databases. Studies in a time frame of 10 years, addressing hospital sustainability indicators and evidence of reduced socio-environmental impact published in any language were included. Results: A total of 28 articles were included, most were applied research, published in 2012, in English. Studies showed ways to save water and energy, as well as ways to monitor and mitigate the impact of activities related to effluents, waste and emissions. All studies had nursing work directly or indirectly involved in hospital sustainability. Conclusion: The possibilities of generating less impact on the environment and increasing the economy/efficiency of a hospital are countless. The particularities of each hospital must be taken into account and workers, especially nurses, should be involved.