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University of Maryland Medical Center has been using reusable gowns and basins in their operating rooms for 15 years. In 2007, UMMC staff started a green team to decrease the facility's negative impact on the environment. A review of the hospital's waste disposal system led administrators to reduce the amount of waste the facility generates.
Type: Resources
(Anesthetic gas toolkit) Inhaled anesthetics containing environmentally deleterious greenhouse gases are used daily in the practice of anesthesia. The hypothesis is that a reduction in fresh gas flows would significantly decrease volatile agent consumption and resultant purchasing costs at UCSF. Total fresh gas flows utilized by anesthesia providers were analyzed and the data subsequently used to educate employees on the efficient use of inhaled anesthetics.
Type: Resources
Transportation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and is right behind energy production in terms of its impact. The health care sector contributes 8% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States each year. Hospitals must make transportation more sustainable in order to reduce their carbon footprint.
Type: Resources
The Association for Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR) is an excellent resource for keeping up-to-date on research and activity around device reprocessing (www.amdr.org). AMDR is a trade association for third-party reprocessors whose members account for about 95 percent of the third-party reprocessing done in the United States. AMDR suggests that hospitals ask key questions to vendors before choosing a reprocessor.
Type: Resources
Consider the suggested RFI/RFP questions for reusable textiles, including towels, blankets, and patient apparel, to identify products that are environmentally preferable and an alternative to single-use, disposable items.
Type: Resources
One of the most important responsibilities of any health care provider can be captured best by four wellknown words from the writings of Hippocrates: “First, do no harm.” Adhering to that maxim is intuitive and ethical, and in recent years has led to a variety of programs to improve not only the tools and techniques of modern medicine, but also the health care environment itself.
One of the most important of these initiatives, reflected by environmentally friendly, or “green” programs in hospitals across the country, is chemical reduction. By eliminating or at least reducing toxic chemicals… Read More
Type: Resources
These environmental considerations will inform the purchasing process for television systems and services.
Type: Resources
(Employee engagement toolkit) Virginia Mason’s award-winning environmental stewardship initiative, EnviroMason, is fully supported—from senior leadership to their team members. Sustainability is integrated into the everyday work along with patient safety and other organizational process improvement. The Virginia Mason Production System helps them identify and implement sustainability initiatives.
Type: Resources
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a coordinated approach to pest management that seeks to prevent unacceptable levels of pests by prioritizing the most-effective means with the least possible hazard to building occupants, workers and the environment. This is a strategy focusing on long-term prevention and suppression of pest problems through a combination of practices such as structural, cultural, mechanical, physical, and biological controls, with a least hazardous pesticide used only as a last resort. The strategy requires more skill and knowledge than conventional pest control and many… Read More
Type: Resources
Paul Spiegelman, chief culture officer for Stericycle, is using his current role as his learning lab for his theory that employee engagement is a key tactic for business success, regardless of industry, geography or company size. If employees are treated in a way that enhances their empowerment and personal growth, then it follows that people will be more productive, work harder and be happier because they are engaged and motivated. This growth starts with team members and a focus on creating a collaborative and trusting work. That engagement should lead to patient loyalty, and in turn drive… 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 1,700 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.