Tools and resources

University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital: Integrated Pest Management case study

• Chemicals
• Exemplary Document
• University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital

In the process of eliminating pests, health care facilities can expose patients and employees to toxic chemicals through the inhalation, ingestion, and absorption of pesticide residues. Most vulnerable to pesticides are pregnant women, infants and children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, allergies, and sensitivity to pesticides. These populations are present in abundance…

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CDC Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities

• Chemicals
• Guide
• Sterilants and Disinfectants
• Green Cleaning

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) The Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008, presents evidence-based recommendations on the preferred methods for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of patient care medical devices and for cleaning and disinfecting the healthcare environment.

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contract for integrated pest management services

• Chemicals
• Exemplary Document
• Integrated pest management

This is a sample integrated pest management contract for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

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EcoWise integrated pest management contracting toolkit

• Chemicals
• Guide
• Integrated pest management

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a systematic approach that combines pest prevention with other management techniques that often lead to a reduction in pesticide use. Because IPM is perceived as desirable, public agencies are increasingly being challenged by regulatory agencies and the general public to implement IPM programs and hire technically proficient IPM service providers. We have…

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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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Healthy hospitals: Controlling pests without harmful pesticides

• Chemicals
• Integrated pest management
• Report

Although many people have come to assume that applying pesticides is the only way to control pests and ensure a clean, healthy health care facility, this report shows that pests can be successfully managed without toxic pesticides and without having an adverse effect on the quality of patient care. Health care facilities have another opportunity to “first, do no harm” by changing the way they…

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Landscaping integrated pest management template contract

• Integrated pest management
• Guide
• Buildings
• Green Building
• Sustainable procurement
• Chemicals

Generic template for contracting integrated pest management for landscaping services at a health care facility. 

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Maryland Pesticide Network Sample RFP

• Chemicals
• Integrated pest management
• Exemplary Document
• Tool

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…

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NorthShore University HealthSystem 2016

• Chemicals
• Exemplary Document
• NorthShore University HealthSystem
• Presentation

Open this resource to view a presentation on the integration of medical toxicology into personalized medicine. The information includes risks of exposure to toxins, symptoms of exposure, and case studies. The presentation emphasizes the importance of knowing the personal and occupational environment of a patient and how any risk assessment should integrate environmental metrics.

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Mayo Clinic hand hygiene initiative: Eliminating antimocrobial hand soaps

• Chemicals
• Hand Hygiene
• Case Study
• Safer Chemicals Case Study
• Mayo Clinic
• Toolkit

(Safer hand hygiene toolkit) Mayo Clinic set out to standardize hand soaps throughout the system and reduce costs. Infection prevention and control brought forward a critical goal to eliminate the use of antimicrobial hand hygiene products used in patient care and public areas. A multi-disciplinary team reviewed and piloted hand hygiene products and collected user feedback on those products. Mayo…

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