Use of Life Cycle Assessment in healthcare: A preliminary Cesarean section case study

ONE of the principle rules of medical ethics is the oath, “First, do no harm.” Nearly everyone in the developed world is impacted by healthcare. In 2008, US hospitals employed over 5.3 million people and spent nearly $320 billion on goods and services from other businesses [1]. In 2009, healthcare represented about 17% of the total US GDP. The healthcare sector consumes 73 trillion kWh of electricity annually, and its hospital facilities are the second most energy intensive facility type in the US [2]. The health industry also generates large quantities of waste. While the healthcare industry is not the only contributor to negative environmental impacts, as a major consumer of energy and resources, it certainly plays a part. The role these environmental impacts have in human health is further motivation to begin making healthcare more environmentally sustainable. But how will hospitals and other medical facilities know where to focus their resources?