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Background
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration illustrates that buildings are responsible for almost half of the energy consumed and 38 percent of all GHG emissions in the United States. According to the EPA, inpatient health care ranks as the second largest commercial energy user after the food service industry. The US Department of Energy notes that hospital energy costs rose 56 percent from $3.89 per square foot in 2003 to $6.07 per square foot in 2008, and predicts those costs will continue to rise in the near term[i]. Hospitals are also often the largest water users in… Read More
Type: Resources
Solid waste is the largest waste stream for health care organizations, comprising two-thirds of all hospital waste. Though relatively straightforward to dispose of, the sheer volume of solid waste consumes more than 30 percent of the hospital’s total waste budget. It is also often called municipal, black bag, clear bag, or non-regulated medical waste.
Solid waste from hospitals resembles the waste generated in other sectors or even from residential neighborhoods: paper, cardboard, food waste, textiles, plastics, and other non-regulated trash, but with more plastic from gloves, catheter bags… Read More
Type: Basic page
Julie Moyle, MSN, RN, outreach and engagement specialist
If your sustainability priorities don’t include a transportation program and strategies to reduce transportation-related emissions, you are missing a big opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation as a sector is the fastest growing source of worldwide carbon pollution, and contributes 27 percent of annual U.S. GHGs, exceeded only by energy production/consumption, which comprises 29 percent of annual U.S. GHGs.
Coming soon: Transportation Goal and Toolkit… Read More
Type: Press
Shanda Demorest, DNP supports the Sustainability Solutions team in advancing environmental sustainability throughout the health care sector. Dr. Demorest earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Health Innovation and Leadership from the University of Minnesota, and she holds the LEED Green Associate credential through the U.S. Green Building Council. A cardiovascular nurse with horticultural training, Shanda is co-founder of the Nurses Climate Challenge: A national campaign to educate 50,000 health professionals about the health impacts of climate change. Dr. Demorest serves as an… Read More
Type: Event Presenters
The University of Vermont Medical Center's mission and vision are built on a foundation of values that includes a longstanding commitment to being prudent stewards of limited natural resources. We will continuously look for new ways to build upon on our long tradition of environmental responsibility. We recognize that the health of the community is integral to the total health of the environment. We strive to ensure that day-to-day operations are founded in sound environmental practices in all aspects of care delivery. Working together we will continue to improve health and mitigate the… Read More
Type: Resources
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
Type: Basic page
Boté (she/her) is responsible for the direction and leadership of food production for retail food venues, patient meal operations, and retail and catering services at three UW Health hospitals. She successfully leads change management projects – improving the variety and nutritional quality of foods, reducing costs while increasing revenues, and reinforcing the UW Health commitment to environmental sustainability throughout its operations. Boté and her team are keenly focused on using locally sourced products and sustainable practices to continuously improve the perception of what hospital… Read More
Type: Event Presenters
(Less water toolkit) There are over 50 million inpatient surgeries annually in the United States according to the CDC, and the majority of clinicians still practice the tradition of hand washing with soap as standard procedure. Carolinas Medical Center’s Green OR Committee discovered that only 22 percent of their clinicians were utilizing waterless scrubs (alcohol-based hand rubs). After facility education and system-wide adoption, over 80 percent of surgical personnel favored the waterless scrubs. This new behavior change translated directly to 2.7 million liters of water savings resulting… Read More
Type: Resources
Practice Greenhealth is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Environmental Excellence Awards, recognizing leading U.S. hospitals for their exceptional commitment to sustainability. This year's Top 25, which includes both large, urban medical centers and rural hospitals, exemplify the highest standards in health care sustainability. These institutions have made significant strides in addressing climate change, reducing harmful chemicals, and engaging staff in sustainability efforts.
In addition to the Top 25, Practice Greenhealth is recognizing 389 health care organizations across 11… Read More
Type: Article
Practice Greenhealth is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Environmental Excellence Awards, recognizing leading U.S. hospitals for their exceptional commitment to sustainability. This year's Top 25, which includes both large, urban medical centers and rural hospitals, exemplify the highest standards in health care sustainability. These institutions have made significant strides in addressing climate change, reducing harmful chemicals, and engaging staff in sustainability efforts.
In addition to the Top 25, Practice Greenhealth is recognizing 389 health care organizations across 11… Read More
Type: Press
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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.