Digital transformation and sustainability in healthcare and clinical laboratories

Abstract

Healthcare, and in particular, clinical laboratories, are major contributors to carbon emissions and waste. Sustainability in healthcare has shifted from an environmental concern towards a holistic definition that includes balancing socio-ecological and socio-technical systems, including health services effectiveness and cost efficiency. Digital transformation can reduce waste and the cost of services by enhancing effectiveness while maintaining quality. Digital health interventions can provide personalized patient-centered care on a global scale and include decision support systems that have the potential to improve the performance and quality of healthcare. The right interfaces must be used so that the advantages of going digital are felt throughout the health system: a successful and sustainable implementation of digital innovation depends on its integration into a functional health ecosystem. Telehealth has the potential to reduce carbon emissions due to the reduced daily commute of health professionals, although research is limited. Recently, economic models have changed from the linear "take-make-dispose"to circular models based on recycling and upcycling that have the goal of keeping products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value. The previous linear models threaten human health and well-being and harm natural ecosystems.