Cost Management and Green Sustainability

Healthcare systems around the world are increasingly pressured to reduce costs while maintaining high-quality patient care. Rising operational expenses, changing regulations and workforce challenges require a more strategic approach to financial management. Cost efficiency now extends beyond simply cutting expenses; it involves optimising processes, improving resource allocation and leveraging innovative frameworks to ensure long-term financial sustainability. Achieving this balance is crucial for strengthening healthcare resilience and delivering value-based care.

At the same time, sustainability has become a vital priority. Healthcare institutions must reduce waste and energy consumption while adopting circular economy principles to align environmental responsibility with operational efficiency. Implementing sustainable practices not only lowers costs in the long run but also enhances the well-being of patients and staff. As climate-related health risks continue to rise, integrating green initiatives into healthcare strategies becomes essential for creating systems that are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

This issue explores strategies for cost optimisation and sustainable practices, covering topics such as AI-driven efficiency, lean management, circular economy initiatives, innovative workforce planning and value-based cost allocation.

Lisa Ward talks about making hospitals more hospitable because the shift in modern healthcare settings and strategic choices in elements of the built environment can contribute to patient well-being and recovery.

Héctor González Jiménez and Ali Haidar explore how AI is transforming healthcare by enhancing diagnostics, optimising operations, improving accessibility and advancing sustainability, while emphasising the need for integrated frameworks and multidimensional metrics to maximise its impact.

José A. Cano advocates forhospitals to adopt sustainable measures like renewable energy and waste reduction to balance health with environmental responsibility.

Cristina Galindo underscores the importance of sustainable recruitment in healthcare, emphasising the need for ethical hiring, green skills and long-term workforce strategies to ensure resilience, cost-efficiency and high-quality patient care.

Maria Beatriz Piñeiro-Lago showcases how the Galician Health Service leads sustainable healthcare with a Circular Economy strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.

Dr. Andrew Whiteley argues that embracing technology is essential for sustainable healthcare, as digital tools enhance efficiency, reduce workloads, and improve patient care.

Dr. Thorsten Junkermann and Prof. Dr. Pierre-Michael Meier detail how Andernach State Hospital and Hosp.Do.IT developed a digital agenda to align IT strategies with corporate objectives, enhance processes and meet regulatory requirements.

Bilal Aslam Qureshi examines how Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) is transforming healthcare cost allocation, driving efficiency and supporting value-based care.

J. Antônio Cirino explores how gamification transforms healthcare training by fostering engagement, skill development and organisational excellence.

Christoph Kamp and Gerold Unterhumer describe how virtual reality enhances radiography training, improving accuracy, engagement, and efficiency while complementing hands-on practice.

Susana Álvarez Gómez discusses how collaboration and centralisation in EU public procurement can foster innovation, sustainability, and efficiency through strategic leadership and reforms like the 2014 directives.

Johan Claire and Alan Zettelmann explain how ISO 56001 strengthens innovation management, fostering adaptability and value in healthcare.

Hans Crampe, Senne Terryn and Prof. Dr. Dominique Vandijck outline how Lean management enhances healthcare efficiency by reducing waste, optimising workflows and increasing direct patient care time.

I hope you will enjoy this issue. As always, your thoughts and experiences are welcome—your perspectives drive meaningful progress.

Happy reading!