Safe Haven in the Storm?

• Position: HOSPITALS

In the wake of costly storms and wildfires in 2017, health-care leaders can safeguard lives and their organization's financial viability by investing in climate resilience, according to a paper published by Health Care Without Harm, Reston, Va., and PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC, Boston, Mass.

The yearly average for U.S. extreme weather events costing over $1,000,000,000 has shot up from 5.5 events in 2012 to 10.5 events, all during a time when many hospitals are struggling to break even.

"The U.S. experiences more extreme, high-impact weather than anywhere else on the planet, and the frequency of major events is increasing," says coauthor Robin Guenther. "Communities and their health-care facilities have proven quite vulnerable, and we need a convincing business case--as well as guidance--to inform proactive investments in resilience."

The paper, "Safe Haven in the Storm," examines extreme weather's bottom-line damages to hospitals, such as suspension or closure of Emergency Departments and other clinical services; supply chain disruptions and price increases; and reduced clinical demand and reimbursement rates. It also documents less-publicized--but proven--financial harm, such as the loss of research animals and data.

"Climate change has a major impact on health...