A multi-ethnic group of nursing students are attending class together. They are seated at a long table in a classroom.

Amedisys is aiming to set itself apart from the competitive home care market by becoming a better corporate citizen. On Thursday, the Baton Rouge, LA-based firm released its first environmental, social and governance report. The report highlights action, achievements and goals in the three critical areas.

Amedisys Chief Strategy Officer Nick Muscato told McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse the inaugural report will help the company map its progress of being a responsible corporate citizen.

“Environmental, social and governance principles align with our core mission of providing the highest-quality care to patients wherever they call home,” Muscato said. “We remain focused on setting the standard for care in the home, but also, are focused on acting responsibly in the way we treat our people, our communities and the environment that we all share. Reporting annually on our ESG progress shares our actions and achievements in these essential areas with our various stakeholders.” 

More inclusive employer

The report highlights Amedisys’ commitment to becoming a more inclusive employer with comprehensive benefits and professional development opportunities. It also focuses on the environment by developing strategies to combat climate change and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from operators no later than 2050. 

ESG reports have become increasingly common among publicly held companies. They provide transparency to shareholders about the steps companies are taking to become more socially and environmentally responsible. The healthcare industry, in particular, is becoming more cognizant of the impact of climate change and pollution.

Climate change impact

Last week, the Department of Health and Social Services launched a new Office of Environmental Justice to ensure that safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable populations, including seniors, against the effects of climate change and environmental disasters.

Some home care and hospice providers are becoming increasingly conscious of environmental issues and climate change such as hurricanes, wildfires and floods due to the impact they can have on patients and staff.

Louisiana Home Care Association CEO Warren Hebert recently told McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse that hurricanes that have devastated the Gulf Coast in recent years have severely affected members. 

“We know that environmental factors play into the communities that are at low levels of elevation along coastal regions,” Hebert said. “They are by far the most susceptible when we are talking about tropical weather.”

Demetress Harrell, CEO of Lufkin, TX-based Hospice in the Pines, said in a recent McKnight’s Newsmakers Podcast that it is incumbent upon the home care and hospice industry to address climate change and the environment. 

“When we have climate change, we have to have innovative strategies to meet the demands of healthcare,” Harrell said.