“Green” Healthcare

Susan HawkinsFayetteville Technical Community College

4 “Green” Principles

1. Sustainable – can it be maintained long into the future; think long-term not short-term

2. Reclaim or Reuse – products can be used more than once and / or for multiple purposes

3. Waste Reduction – creating as little waste as possible

4. Inclusive Actions - Activities that protect the environment.

Why is “Green” Important

1. Healthier2. Reduces Pollution3. Decreases Dependence on Other Countries

for Energy4. Minimal effect on the environment5. SAVES MONEY!!!!!

Why is “Green” Important to Health Care?

• Because of their mission, Health Care Facilities often have a much larger impact than other industries

• To ensure the availability of resources in the future, it is crucial that Health Care facilities practice “Green” wherever possible

• Proposed legislative changes prevent large expenditures in areas not directly involved in patient care

“Green” Impact Areas in Health Care

• Facilities Management • Waste Management• Water Management• Operations Management

Facilities ManagementZero Mercury

• Making Medicine Mercury Free Initiative• Substitute Devices:

– Thermometers – Galinstan Thermometers– Sphygmomanometers – Aneroid and Electric Based– Esophageal Dilators – Tungsten Powder in Gel– Electrical Switches – Mechanical and Optical

Devices

Facilities Management

Green Building / Remodeling Practices• Paints – Water based • Sustainable Flooring – Resilient, Healthy, and

from easy to harvest sources• Building Products – from renewable sources

and ensure patient and employee safety

Facilities ManagementHousekeeping

• Ensure minimal use of products• Products that are effective and safe for the

environment• Reduce or eliminate Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOC)• Ensure level of disinfection is consistent with

use; don’t overuse cleaners, but ensure critical areas meet required levels

Facilities ManagementEnergy Consumption

• Use Natural Lighting• Auto on / off Switches• Only Light Areas Being Used• Energy Star Appliances

Waste ManagementFour Types of Waste in Health Care

1.Regulated Medical Waste2.Plastics / Recyclables3.Sharps4.Solid Waste

Waste ManagementRegulated Medical Waste (RMW)

• Ensure only RMW is contained in RMW containers

• Provide general purpose containers in areas where RMW containers are

• Ensure containers are appropriately marked

Waste ManagementPlastics / Recyclables

• Ensure recyclables are not in other trash containers

• Provide plenty of places for employees, patients, etc. to place plastics and other reusable materials

• Partner with local waste management companies to recycle goods

• Educate stakeholders about recycling and associated benefits

Waste ManagementSharps

• Reuse sharps containers by partnering with a waste management provider that disposes of sharps without the container

• Sharps containers made from recycled materials

• Separate sharps from recyclable items• Separate sharps from solid waste

Waste ManagementSolid Waste

• Compost food and other organic / non-infectious waste

• Develop a comprehensive waste segregation plan to ensure solid waste does not end up as RMW

• Purchase materials in reduced or recyclable packaging

Water Management

Water Management

• Use of Low Flow Toilets• Rainwater Capture Systems for Landscape

Maintenance• Auto on / off on all sinks to shut off water

when not in use• Appliances with Lower water needs such as

High Efficiency (HE) Washers• Water as requested

Operations Management

Operations Management• Electronic Health Records• Digitize administrative functions• Reusable instead of disposable• Employee training and retraining• Green Purchasing

• Recycled Goods• Lower impact products

Operations Management• Embed “Green” practices into every aspect of

the organization• Make it easy for employees to participate• Share the rewards / benefits• Publicize the benefits within the organization

Even the smallest effort makes a difference and leads to even bigger efforts.

References

• Environmental News Network http://www.enn.com/lifestyle/article/42531

• Green Guide http://gghc.org/• Green Cleaning Implementation Guide

http://practicegreenhealth.org/topics/chemicals/green-cleaning/green-cleaning-policy-development-implementation

• Practice Greenhealth http://cms.h2e-online.org/about/

References

• Sustainable Hospitals http://www.sustainablehospitals.org/cgi-bin/DB_Index.cgi

• Sustainable Sandhills http://www.sustainablesandhills.org/index.html