Research Symposium

BIO

My name is Sasha Lopez, I am a freshman from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and am planning on double majoring in International Affairs and Business. My goals are to attend law school and practice law as a career. I enjoy doing research and have various interests, including political sciences, public policies, health, and more.

Health Management: How the Environment and Energy Could Affect Health Outcomes and Hospital Financial Sustainability

Abstract

Health outcomes and financial sustainability of hospitals have shown to be areas in need of research, more specifically regarding how the intersection of health management, energy usage, and environmental policy influence such outcomes. The research conducted investigates the relationship between health outcomes and environmental conditions with a focus on hospitals that are funded by Medicare. The purpose of the research is to create a comprehensive understanding of how environmental conditions and energy management practices within the hospitals impact the quality of patient care and the economic standing of hospitals. To conduct the research, organizational theory was used, along with data collection. Qualitative data was gathered through the collection of literature on significant topics that were compiled into literature reviews. Quantitative data was collected in the form of data reports on insurance policies. Our research has made plenty of progress and we are still currently collecting and analyzing the data to establish future concrete results. However, with a focus on the environment and health management, our results will contribute to a collection of literature that is consistently growing and will highlight the importance of sustainable practices in healthcare. The purpose of our findings will be to give advice to policymakers and administrators of healthcare that will help create financially successful healthcare institutions that also promote improved health outcomes for their patients while facing environmental challenges.

Keywords: Health Management, Environment, Hospital Financials