ThedaCare is partnering with the federal government to better weather the impacts of climate change, using the administration's guide as foundation, according to an article on the Post Crescent website.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created the Sustainable and Climate Resilient Health Care Facilities Initiative to develop tools and information to help healthcare facilities prepare for the impacts of climate change and increase their ability to provide continuity of care before, during and after extreme weather events.
The new guide was endorsed by ThedaCare — based in Wisconsin — and 10 other healthcare providers. It looks at the best practices to improve their climate readiness.
"By embracing these new guidelines, ThedaCare will be better prepared to care for patients and the community during any severe weather events as well as being prepared for the additional strain climate change is expected to put on our healthcare system through associated illnesses and the exacerbation of chronic conditions like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases," said Paul Linzmeyer, ThedaCare's sustainability leader.
For example, warmer temperatures spurred by carbon pollution can worsen asthma.