Cincinnati-You can't have a sick environment and healthy people, so in theory health care and the environment would appear to be joined at the hip. That would explain why we're seeing an explosion of green health care facilities committed to protecting patient health, as well as the health of the environment. The two are inextricably linked.
Jewish Hospital is a good example. They are helping to create a healthier environment - for patients, staff and their community-and for their role in pollution prevention efforts, they received a Partner Recognition Award at the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards in Pittsburgh on May 20.
"Jewish Hospital has been singled out for their efforts to protect patient health and preserve the environment," said Bob Jarboe, Executive Director of Practice Greenhealth. "Jewish Hospital's approach to health care demonstrates a keen understanding of the impact our activities have on the environment. Jewish signed on to the Partner Recognition program to improve their environmental performance, now they invite others to make similar commitments."
Some highlights of what's being done at Jewish Hospital include:
- Reprocessing and recycling of equipment from the operating rooms. Certain types of surgical tools are placed in a container and sent to a company that sorts them into what can be recycled and what can be reprocessed. Reprocessed tools are carefully cleaned, sterilized and packaged for re-use.
- The use of a new liquid waste disposal system in the operating rooms. The liquid waste disposal is an electric suction machine that treats liquids so that they can be disposed of safely in the sewer, rather than going to biohazard trash.
- A medical waste reduction program. This is being accomplished through better identification of what is considered medical waste and an extensive education program for all associates. The industry standard is three pounds per patient day. Jewish Hospital generates less than one pound of medical waste per patient day. <
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- Additional recycling/reuse initiatives. They include: a reusable sharps container program; cardboard compactor and a co-mingle recycle container. The hospital recycles printer toner cartridges and approximately 3,500 pounds of fryer grease per year. Additional recycling programs are used for fluorescent, metal halide and sodium vapor lamp light bulbs, and for lead acid and dry cell batteries.
- Implementing a program to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals.
- Donating expired medical supplies and unused medical equipment to Matthew 25 Ministry, and donating furniture that is marked for trash to New Christian Life Outreach Ministry.
- Mercury-free since 2006.
Since July 2007, Jewish Hospital?s efforts have resulted in diverting 6,871 pounds of trash from the landfill.
"Improving environmental performance isn't a responsibility limited to the health care sector," said Janice Falstrom, vice president of administration at The Jewish Hospital. "If we want a sustainable future, everyone needs to become involved. Practice Greenhealth created the vision for our industry. For Jewish Hospital, this is just the start of a lifelong commitment."
The Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards celebrate the achievements and commitment of health care's environmental champions. The awards give special recognition to facilities whose efforts are aimed at eliminating mercury, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. This year's awards were held in conjunction with CleanMed 2008, a global conference for environmental leaders in health care.
In addition to supporting the Environmental Excellence Awards, Practice Greenhealth, formerly Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E), is a source for environmental solution for the health care sector and lends support to create better, safer, greener workplaces and communities.
Practice Greenhealth is the result of the merger of two leading organizations - Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) and
the Green Guide for Health Care (GGHC) - with a new clean energy and energy efficiency program - Healthcare Clean Energy Exchange (HCEE). For more information on Practice Greenhealth, healthy initiatives, current trends, news and views, and other links to earth-friendly organizations, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org.
The Jewish Hospital is an acute care hospital located in Cincinnati's northeast suburbs. It was established in 1850 as the first Jewish hospital in the United States and is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system. To view other Jewish Hospital news releases, go to www.jewishhospitalcincinnati.com.
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Cincinnati?You can't have a sick environment and healthy people, so in theory health care and the environment would appear to be joined at the hip. That would explain why we're seeing an explosion of green health care facilities committed to protecting patient health, as well as the health of the environment. The two are inextricably linked.
Cincinnati - You can't have a sick environment and healthy people, so in theory health care and the environment would appear to be joined at the hip. That would explain why we're seeing an explosion of green health care facilities committed to protecting patient health, as well as the health of the environment. The two are inextricably linked.
