Sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line (3BL) by William Ragan, PhD
Corporate business leaders recognize the triple bottom line as a measurable aspect of business sustainability that incorporates fiscal, social, and environmental responsibility (Epstein & Buhovac, 2014). In recent years, healthcare leaders have considered sustainability to be an important part of their business strategy, even during difficult economic times (Carlson & Greeley, 2010; Landers, 2012). Sustainability in healthcare has been especially important as economic problems have emerged within the industry lately, and recent trends have shown that reduced profits and high operating costs have begun to define the industry (Carlson & Greeley, 2010; Landers, 2012). Healthcare managers can choose to incorporate quantitative measures of sustainability in order to track trends within their organization (Epstein & Buhovac, 2014).Â
Carlson, G., & Greeley, H. (2010). Is the relationship between your hospital and your medical staff sustainable?. Journal of Healthcare Management, 55, 158-173. Retrieved from http://www.ache.org/Publications/SubscriptionPurchase.aspx#jhm
Epstein, M. J., & Buhovac, A. R.  (2014). Making sustainability work: Best practices in managing and measuring corporate social, environmental, and economic impacts. (2nd ed.) San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.
Landers, J. (2012). Pennsylvania hospital emphasizes 'green' design. Civil Engineering (08857024), 82(10), 26-31. Retrieved from http://www.asce.org/cemagazine/MagazineAwards.aspx?id=12884910102