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Sustainability/CSR Project - BA 342 FA16

Introduction: Tenet Healthcare Corporation is a multinational company founded in 1967. It is an investor-owned healthcare services based in Dallas, Texas with 9 facilities in the U.K and more than 400 outpatient centers in 16 States of America. Additionally, Tenet “operates 20 short stay surgical hospitals and 87 general acute-care hospitals in 14 American States” (Guerra and Carlson, 2014). Tenet has 130,000 employees and more than 20,000 licensed beds. Services offered at the hospital include; acute, coronary, and critical care, operating and recovery rooms, pharmacies, clinical laboratories, oncology, radiology, orthopedic, respiratory, physical therapy, and organ transplant. Currently, Tenet Healthcare is number 170 on the Fortune 500 list (Maria, 2015).

Sustainability (Environmental Practices): The Tenet Healthcare Corporation Sustainability Report of 2015 is a comprehensive report of 67 pages. Tenet Healthcare takes very seriously the responsibility of reducing their environmental impact. They have put in place several initiatives designed to preserve the resources of the Planet Earth. In other words, Sustainability is a top priority issue for Tenet Healthcare Corporation. Tenet is the sponsoring organization of the Healthier Hospitals Initiative (HHI). Therefore, their key metric focus on meeting the challenges outlined in HHI framework which include; engaged leadership, leaner energy, healthier foods, less waste, safer chemicals, and smart purchasing.

Tenet Healthcare is reducing its impact on the environment by improving energy efficiency throughout their networks. It has replaced all light fixtures with LED lighting at their Baptist Health System in San Antonio, Texas, which have been projected to decrease light energy consumption by 57%. The same initiative will be implemented in all other healthcare centers all over the country to reduce energy consumption by 5%. Additionally, the company has done its smart purchasing by adopting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved single use medical devices that led to an increase in savings of 110% in the previous years. Tenet also has recycling initiatives in all of its facilities. 30 of Tenet hospitals have put in place integrated programmes that systematically track and manage waste removal. The 30 hospitals recycled 17% of their total waste the previous year and reduced biohazard waste by 11% of the total waste which aligns with the rules set by Practice Green health. The company has also adopted healthier standards for their meals including more vegetables and fruits with fewer sugar-sweetened drinks. 56% of all drinks purchased the previous year were healthy drinks. For example, in Sierra Vista Medical Center, 75% of beverage offerings in vendor machines are still water.

Tenet Healthcare has initiated Blue Pillar Project that monitors energy usage. The system allows hospitals that take part in the initiative to take part in the Demand Response Program. The company uses this system to track and monitor their energy usage through an electronic records management system for utility invoices. The Data is sent to a third party vendor that compiles and benchmarks.

The company’s newly opened Resolute Health Hospital in New Braunfels, Texas, has been awarded by the U.S Green Building Council the Leadership in Energy Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification (businessroundtable.org).The main purpose for the award was the company’s use of recycled material in construction and the recycle of 3.5 million pounds of waste. Additionally, the Hilton Head Hospital (HHH) was recognized by Working Well for achieving the Gold Apple award. The award was accomplished by creating healthy food environments in the entire hospital.

Community Engagement: Tenet Healthcare Corporation recognizes that as a hospital it has an integral role to play in its community. The company actively gets involved in the community as well as volunteer. Tenet’s employees are always searching for ways to give back to the community. Tenet’s employees are very compassionate and caring when it comes to helping those who need their help. In 2013, Tenet Healthcare contributed $545 million in uncompensated care and $158 million in charity care (tenethealth.com). In addition, millions of dollars were donated to other non-profit organizations dedicated to changing lives just like Tenet. Besides financial support, Tenet’s employees and facilities provide their expertise through hundreds of free healthcare screenings, facilitation of groups meetings, and hosting of educational seminars. Some of academic institutions and charitable organizations that were supported by Tenet Healthcare in 2013 include; Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Association, American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Bridge Homeless Shelter, the Clinton Foundation, Catawba College Foundation, Cypress Fairbanks Educational Foundation, Duke University, the Salvation Army, University of Alabama, and Volunteers in Medicine.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation also provides disaster relief help. Employees at Tenet are usually provided with chance to donate for disaster relief. In 2013, Tenet and its colleagues donated $20,250 to the American Red Cross to help families that were affected by tornadoes at Moore, Oklahoma and northern Texas. The victims of Typhoon Haiyan how were displaced when landfall occurred on the eastern island of Samar in Philippines, Tenet and its colleagues donated $70,539 plus employees’ gifts that amounted to $10,000, to the AmeriCares.

Tenet Healthcare is a proud supporter of the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI). Since 2012, Tenet has served as the major sponsor of the annual conference of the CHMI at Coachella Valley, California. The conference brings together leaders from the sectors of healthcare, education, public policy, business, and sports to share innovative ideas and solutions that can be used to improve the nation’s health.

Tenet healthcare has been recognized by the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® designation for its support of the organization for many decades. AHA has also recognized Tenet as a Platinum Level recipient of AHA’S Fit-Friendly Program in 2012 and 2013.

Diversity/Inclusion: Tenet Healthcare believes in a diverse and inclusive working environment that is based on dedication to the well-being of all people and one that “adapts to serve the needs of every person who joins the team” (tenethealth.com). The company encourages diversity of experience, thought, and background that contributes to positive employee working environment. Diversity and inclusion has helped the company hire and recruit the best healthcare physicians with enough experience and skills to improve the health of the people it serves.

Conclusion: Tenet Healthcare is very much concerned with the environment, the community, and diversity of its employees. The best environmental practice is recycling wastes and the adoption of the FDA-approved reprocessed medical devices. The company’s best corporate responsibility is donating money to non-profit organizations and academic institutions. However, one area that is should improve on is reporting on its diversity and inclusion.In general, the company is commitment to improving the lives of people not only in healthcare but other aspects of life like academics and the environment.

References

Business Roundtable, 2015 Report (2016). Create, Grow, Sustain: Leading by Example. Retrieved 25 October 2016, from http://businessroundtable.org/sites/default/files/2015%20Sustainability%20Report.2015.04.22.pdf