Tools and resources

Green Guide for Healthcare: Mercury reduction

• Chemicals
• Guide
• Mercury
• Purchasing

In 1998, a Memorandum of Understanding between the American Hospital Association and the U.S. EPA set new goals for hospital pollution prevention. One of the top priorities was the virtual elimination of mercury and mercury-containing devices from the hospital purchasing and waste stream. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. The most sensitive health effect of mercury is an adverse impact on the…

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Greening the OR backgrounder

• Greening the Operating Room
• Get Started Guide

To help hospitals run more efficient, environmentally friendly operating rooms, Practice Greenhealth introduced the Greening the OR initiative, which helps hospitals reduce environmental impact, decrease costs, increase efficiency, and improve worker and patient safety.

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Greening the OR checklist

• Greening the Operating Room
• Waste
• Tool

As one of the largest users of supplies and generators of hospital waste, the operating room (OR) is a strategic priority for any hospital hoping to reduce its impact on the environment. This tool is designed to assist health care providers in assessing the status of environmental best practices in the OR.

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Greening the OR endorser certificate

• Greening the Operating Room
• Tool

This certificate states your facility has made a commitment to sustainable operating room practices and reduced environmental impact through endorsement of the Greening the OR initiative.

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Greening the OR poster

• Greening the Operating Room
• Tool

This poster shows your hospital is a proud endorser of the Greening the OR initiative.

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Greening the OR: social media samples

• Greening the Operating Room
• Tool

These sample social media messages show your organization's involvement in Practice Greenhealth's Greening the OR initiative.

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Employee engagement at University Hospitals

• Employees Case Study
• University Hospitals
• Employee engagement
• Case Study
• Toolkit

(Employee engagement toolkit) University Hospitals Health System has structured its sustainability program on four pillars of wellness: building well, operating well, buying well, and living well. The system has taken multiple approaches to engage employees in its sustainability efforts, including general communication strategies, a system-wide sustainability council and facility-based committees…

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Get Started Guide - Healthy Beverages

• Get Started Guide
• Guide
• Food and Beverage Purchasing
• Water

Sugar sweetened beverages contribute to the increased prevalence of obesity and associated chronic diseases that go along with weight gain. The production, consumption and waste associated with sugar-sweetened and bottled beverages have numerous negative environmental consequences that are often overlooked. By offering more healthy alternatives, the health care community can assist in creating a…

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Greenhealth cost of ownership calculator user guide

• Sustainable procurement
• Toolkit
• Cost of Ownership
• Guide

(Greenhealth cost of ownership toolkit) The user guide supports effective use of the Greenhealth cost of ownership calculator and provides instructions on each of the steps. The guide also shares frequently asked questions to support ease of use.  The purpose of this calculator is to support hospitals and group purchasing organizations in considering environmental costs in their procurement…

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Suggested RFP/RFI Questions for Foodservice Broadline Distribution

Suggested RFP/RFI questions for service contracts for foodservice distribution. There are suggested questions covering food, beverages and foodware as well the supplier's corporate environmental responsibility. Other questions may be considered.

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