Rethinking Environmentally Sustainable Chronic Care: A Canadian Case Study of Funded Small House Models.

Canada's healthcare system faces increasing strain as patients who could be managed in alternative levels of care (ALCs) occupy acute hospital beds. The small house model (SHM) offers an opportunity to alleviate the growing burden on hospitals and long-term care facilities while supporting environmentally sustainable care. This case study quantifies the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of two facilities in Hamilton, Ontario. Annual emissions were 1,612 kg CO2e/bed and 512 kg CO2e/bed, respectively, with travel contributing significantly to emissions. Our study provides a baseline GHG footprint of the SHM, allowing for comparison to traditional methods of ALC.