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Ask any business or sustainability consultant to name a key requirement for program success and they’ll tell you that having an executive or c-suite level sponsor is at the top of their list. There are several reasons for this. First, the sponsor makes sure that the program's goals and objectives are aligned with hospital strategy, and that it has the support, from the top and the bottom, to be successful. Second, the sponsor plays a more strategic role focusing efforts on creating conditions for success or removing impediments, leaving the tactical work to the sustainability leader.
A… Read More
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For many companies, interns are not hired for their value during the internship, but the potential value they provide if they come back or continue on as employees. This holds true for the health care sector as many health care sustainability leaders started out as interns. Most health care workers have a lot on their plate, and while sustainability programming may be “win-win,” it isn’t effortless. It is critical to continue to build a pipeline of professionals that have not only expertise but first hand experience in health care sustainability including planning, implementing, and measuring… Read More
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Single-use medical devices make up a significant amount of the operating room supply budget and costly regulated medical waste generated by operating rooms every day. Working with a third-party reprocessor to safely collect and purchase these reprocessed devices is one of the biggest opportunities for cost savings and waste reduction in the operating room.
All reprocessing must be done by an FDA-approved vendor according to strict guidelines, including a requirement that every reprocessed device is function tested to guarantee safety and reliability.
HCA Healthcare estimates $29 million in… Read More
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Operating rooms can drive big facilities’ cost savings and efficiency improvements through smart, incremental, sustainable practices. Even more important, it’s possible to make these changes while not only maintaining quality patient care but also supporting staff and environmental health.
Though a tiny percentage of a hospital’s total physical footprint, operating rooms have a huge impact on hospital budgets. Operating rooms, on average:
Drive up to 60% of a hospital’s revenue
Are responsible for 40 to 60% of the organization’s total supply costs
Produce more than 30% of a facility’s… Read More
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In addition to hospitals and health systems, outpatient care centers like ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and community health centers (CHCs) are making a positive impact from reducing energy use to diverting and reducing waste to sourcing more environmentally preferable products (EPP) and removing harmful chemicals from supply chains.
To help with these efforts, we offer affordable partnership levels to strengthen our collective impact.
Partner opportunities
ASC partner
ASC partnership is open to any outpatient surgery center that is committed to environmental sustainability. You'll… Read More
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Our partners are at the center of our work. The Practice Greenhealth experience guides hospitals and health systems in achieving key successes in sustainability in all of our prioritized impact areas. Everything we do is strategically designed to strengthen, accelerate, and transform your organization.
Health care sustainability is hard work, but over the years we have proven that significant change is achievable. These changes manifest in healthier populations — and lower costs. We are confident that the health care sector, which makes up nearly 18% of the U.S. economy, will use its… Read More
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Health care systems have unique responsibilities when it comes to making sure building design and construction is sustainable and safe for staff, patients, and other occupants, including making sure:
People with any ability or disability may move around freely and safely
The facility stands ready for any emergency and is prepared to provide continuous care no matter the external circumstances
The indoor and exterior environments maximize patient healing and decrease the length of stay
The indoor environment does not expose staff or patients to pollutants and chemicals of concern
The… Read More
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Purchasing touches every department of a hospital, and a high-level commitment to environmentally preferable purchasing can anchor these efforts and drive comprehensive, sustainable changes in how supplies and services are procured.
Practice Greenhealth has collected best practices from many hospitals that are successfully doing this work. The most successful have followed a clear framework of important steps that secure buy-in and longevity, promoting the results of any initial purchases of before the organization procures its first sustainable services or products. These key activities… Read More
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Hospitals are environments for healing but many of the products and materials that come into a hospital may be harmful to patients, staff and those in the community. Some products used in health care may contain or release (during production, use or disposal) carcinogens, reproductive toxins, or other hazardous materials. Many of the chemicals used in products have not been adequately tested for toxicity. Additionally, there are a growing number of disposable products in health care and large amounts of packaging creating significant waste, and a variety of products that are energy or water-… Read More
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Many hospitals and health systems face transportation challenges, including:
Existing parking structures for employees and visitors are at maximum capacity and costly expansions aren’t feasible.
Idling ambulances and delivery trucks are wasting fuel, increasing hospital fuel costs and the overhead costs for supplies.
Excess emissions from idling vehicles and employee single-vehicle commuters flow into the surrounding environment, where employees, visitors, neighbors, and patients breathe them in – a huge health concern, as vehicle emissions contain particulates linked to lung damage,… Read More
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Join Practice Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the health care sector’s go-to source for information, tools, data, resources, and expert technical support on sustainability initiatives that help hospitals and health systems meet their health, financial, and community goals.
Who We Are
Practice Greenhealth is the leading sustainable health care organization, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,700 hospitals and health systems in the United States and Canada. Partnership opportunities include hospitals, health systems, community health organizations, NGOs, nonprofits, government, academic institutions, and the health care value chain.