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Wildfire smoke is a reminder that health extends beyond the four walls of healthcare facilities.
As smoke from the recent Canadian wildfires drifts across Canada and the United States, millions of people are being exposed to poor air quality, respiratory risks, and disruptions to daily life. Communities from Toronto to Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and beyond are experiencing firsthand how environmental conditions can directly impact health and well-being. While these events are often discussed as environmental or public health challenges, they alsohighlight an important reality for healthcare leaders – person-centered care does not stop at the bedside or exist only within the four walls of a physical healthcare facility.
A critical component of the human experience of health is the environment.
At Planetree, we define Person-Centered Care as an approach that recognizes the whole person, what matters most to them, and the many factors that influence their health, healing, and quality of life. Clinical care and excellence matter, but so do the conditions in which people live, work, learn, and recover. When hazardous air quality forces children with asthma indoors, exacerbates chronic respiratory conditions, increases stress and anxiety, or limits access to daily activities, environmental issues become healthcare issues and place additional strain on already overstretched healthcare services. The recent wildfire smoke affecting communities across North America is a powerful reminder that health outcomes are influenced by far more than medical treatment alone – social determinants of health such as the environment are key factors in the equation supporting overall well-being and health for our communities.
Why healthy environments are a critical Person-Centered Care Enabler.
This connection between the environment and health is one of the reasons Planetree includes healthy environments within our Person-Centered Care (PCC) Framework (as an Enabler) and our PCC Certification® program. Healthy environments are not simply about sustainability initiatives or regulatory compliance, but rather about creating the conditions that enable people (not only our patients, but also our dedicated staff) to thrive.
The organizations that achieve lasting improvements in quality, safety, workforce engagement, and patient experience understand that commitment to person-centered care must extend beyond direct clinical interactions. It must also consider the physical spaces, community conditions, and environmental factors that influence well-being.
Through Planetree's PCC Framework, organizations are encouraged to:
- Promote healthy, healing environments for patients, families, and staff.
- Support environmental stewardship and community well-being.
- Address social and environmental factors that affect health outcomes.
- Build resilience in the face of emerging environmental challenges.
- Partner with communities to advance health equity and quality of life.
From Environmental Stewardship to Better Outcomes
Leading healthcare organizations are increasingly recognizing that environmental sustainability and person-centered care are deeply interconnected. The Bellevue Medical Center (BMC), a Planetree Gold Certified hospital, in Mansourieh, Lebanon, is leading the way in healthcare sustainability. The hospital recently received multiple awards highlighting its commitment to environmental initiatives and environmentally friendly practices. Their latest advancement was the launch of a solar energy project extending over an area of 3,200m2and consisting of more than 1,245 solar panels providing alternative energy to all its departments. For BMC, this project was of utmost importance in the absence of centralized solutions to ensure continuous power supply and to enable the hospital to provide permanent, constant quality care to patients.
Mr. Nayef Maalouf, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bellevue Medical Center, said: “This achievement concerns not only Bellevue Medical Center, but the healthcare sector as a whole which has gone through and continues to face the most difficult challenges.” He added: “We renew our commitment to patients and look forward to a bright future that will enable us to complete our journey that puts the person first”.
Investments in cleaner air, greener facilities, healthy building design, climate resilience, and community partnerships can improve both human and organizational outcomes. These efforts contribute to healthier patients, more engaged staff, stronger community trust, and greater organizational resilience. In other words, healthy environments are not separate from healthcare performance but instead are a critical driver of it.
A Call to Action: A New Imperative for Healthcare Leaders
The wildfire season currently affecting much of North America should serve as a call to action for healthcare organizations. The future of healthcare will require leaders to think more broadly about what it means to support health and healing. Organizations that successfully navigate the challenges ahead will be those that recognize the connection between environmental health, workforce well-being, patient experience, community trust, and long-term organizational sustainability.
At Planetree, healthy environments are part of our framework because healthy people depend on healthy communities. Person-centered care is about improving the human experience in healthcare, which requires creating the environmental conditions that allow individuals and communities to flourish.
Three actions healthcare organization can take today:
- Assess environmental impacts on patient and workforce well-being as part of quality and experience improvement efforts.
- Strengthen climate resilience and emergency preparedness plans to protect patients, staff, and communities during environmental events.
- Integrate environmental stewardship into organizational culture and strategy by recognizing its connection to health outcomes, experience, and performance.
Ready to Build a Healthier Future?
Planetree helps healthcare organizations create cultures where people, communities, and organizations thrive. Guided by our PCC Framework, assessments, advisory services, and educational programs, we help leaders strengthen culture, improve outcomes, elevate experiences, and build healthier environments for all.
The question for healthcare leaders is no longer whether the environment affects health, but whether we are doing enough to address it.
