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The standardized environmental questions for medical products are a set of supplier questions that can be used in the procurement process for OR surgical drapes to identify environmentally preferable products.
People can be exposed through the use of products containing these chemicals in the OR. In 2002, the FDA issued a Public Health Notification for PVC devices containing DEHP. DEHP is also listed as a carcinogen on the Prop 65 list. The National Research Council has also noted the importance of looking at cumulative exposure from multiple phthalates. These five phthalates are listed as… Read More
Type: Resources
What is composting?
Compost is created from the decomposition of landscape and food wastes. In a finished product, it is a dark, crumbly and earthy-smelling material that appears similar to soil. Composting provides institutions with a method to dispose of a large portion of these waste streams in a way that benefits their bottom line and the environment. By composting, an institution avoids high per ton incineration or landfill disposal costs for these dense and heavy materials. For some institutions that use an industrial food disposal system, composting avoids sludge issues at the… Read More
Type: Resources
(Transportation toolkit) Practice Greenhealth is pleased to offer members a toolkit to help hospitals and health systems reduce their transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
The goals aim to reduce employee single occupancy vehicle rates and miles, transition fleet vehicles to alternative fuels, implement idle reduction policies and practices, and work with supply chain partners to do the same.
The toolkit equips hospitals with the resources needed to accomplish these goals, while providing exemplary case studies of those who have been leading the way, including Seattle Children’s… Read More
Type: Resources
As a component of an application to apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for a new construction project, Anne Arundel Medical Center, a regional health system headquartered in Annapolis, Md., set a goal to achieve a 50 to 75 percent diversion rate of demolition and construction debris. The medical center enrolled in our Less Waste Challenge and set a goal for construction and demolition debris recycling. The project team incorporated diversion and recycling specifications in construction management contracts and tracked and reviewed progress regularly.… Read More
Type: Resources
This is a sustainable food policy from Washington Hospital and Healthcare.
In accordance with Washington Hospital Healthcare System’s Statement of Environmental Goals, we will strive to be an environmental leader in a manner that protects environmental and human health. In establishing a healthy and sustainable food policy, Washington Hospital recognizes its responsibility to carry out its procurement activities in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and similarly recognizes the considerable influence the Hospital has in being able to encourage healthy and sustainable food… Read More
Type: Resources
Standardized environmental criteria technical details
(Sustainable procurement guide) Practice Greenhealth’s standardized environmental criteria are explained in detail below in order for suppliers and health care organizations to understand the intent, rationale, and applications to products.
General disclosure
Responses to the following criteria are for information and may or may not be required.
1. INGREDIENTS KNOWN - Does the manufacturer know all of the chemical and material ingredients in this product to 1000 ppm?
Scope: The intent of this criterion is to identify whether or… Read More
Type: Resources
The most important considerations for interior paints is occupant health and performance. It is critical to consider that paint has low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. There is no perfect test right now for emissions from wet-applied products, so the best bet is to make sure it has both low VOC content (under 50 g/L for flat paint), and has met California Section 01350 emissions requirements.ⁱ (The key criteria being content and emissions.) Also, it is important to know that colorants added to base paints should also be low/no VOCs. Lighter colors of paint may have reduced VOCs.… Read More
Type: Resources
This is a sustainable food services policy from the University of Washington Medical Center.
Implicit in the University of Washington Medical Center’s (UWMC) mission statement is its “commitment to the ongoing health of the people of the region.” This is a commitment to the wellbeing of UWMC patients, staff, visitors, students, the City of Seattle and the broader Northwest community it serves. The food we eat is critical to our wellbeing, and in times of sickness, our recovery. Similarly, the increasing production of local, sustainable and organic food products improves the strength of local… Read More
Type: Resources
According to Department of Energy, low-slope roofing—the kind most commonly used in commercial buildings—is one of the most
environmentally damaging building materials. The following sample RFI/ RFP questions have been developed and listed in table format so they can be integrated easily into a pricing template or used in other formats.
These questions address basic environmental and human environmental health issues related to roofing materials and systems. We recommend that you use all questions and prefer suppliers that provide the most preferred responses. Additionally, hospitals may be… Read More
Type: Resources
While it is essential that hospitals maintain a clean environment free of pests, it is also important that patients, staff, and visitors be protected from exposure to pesticides. Pesticides are known to contribute to cancer, neurological disorders, problems with reproduction, birth defects, and liver and kidney damage. They also can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, can trigger respiratory problems such as asthma, produce headaches, nausea, and can affect learning disabilities in children.
Hospital patients who have compromised immune and nervous systems, the elderly, infants and… Read More
Type: Resources
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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.
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Practice Greenhealth is the leading sustainable health care organization, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,500 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.