The healthcare sector and especially hospitals
account for a massive,but often neglected and sometimes even ignored
impact on the environment and face high costs for energy consumption,
water and disposal of wastes. We know that climate change has the
capacity to produce severe consequences for human health.
There is hence a need for greener hospitals that are
at the heart of the healthcare sector. Without compromising on
patient's-safety and comfort, many efforts can be made behind the scenes
by hospital management through the application of best available
practices and technological innovations.
With changing times, the healthcare sector should
demonstrate its commitment towards corporate environmental and social
responsibility.
A lacking of best environmental practices within our
hospitals could impact staff, patient and population safety and could
also lead to additional costs and overuse of natural resources.
Ideally hospitals should consider not only the
medical treatment of the patients but also ensure that the services
provided correspond to national and international environmental
standards.
It is therefore of high importance to improve
environmental management in the healthcare sector with a holistic
approach and without decreasing the quality of services.
Areas which can contribute to GREEN HOSPITALS
Energy Efficiency
Electricity consumption has been growing steadily in
Hospitals. By reducing a hospital’s energy consumption, it is possible
to achieve the twin benefits of saving money and ensuring a less
polluted environment for the local community.
Best Practices:
• Monitor energy consumption regularly by checking electricity meters at least once a month
• Identify areas/ equipment having high energy consumption
• Implement measures such as installing energy-efficient equipment
• Use solar collectors for hot water
• Use night-time temperature lowering thermostats
• Install several small boilers instead of one large boiler for load dependent operation
• Install double glazed windows
• For air-conditioning, check specific room parameters (temperature, humidity, air exchange)
• Check that air flow reductions are in place in unused rooms
• Clean and change air_conditioner filters regularly
Waste Management
Hospitals could
generate up to many kilogrammes of waste per bed per day if not properly
managed. Medical waste incineration is a leading source of dioxin,
mercury and other dangerous pollutants that threaten human health and
the environment
Best Practices:
• Understand
waste categories and segregation: domestic wastes (paper, glass,
plastics, etc.); regulated medical waste (biohazardous waste,
potentially infectious medical waste, biomedical waste, etc.); hazardous
waste; low-level radioactive waste
• Promote waste recycling: paper, plastics, glass, batteries, etc
• Encourage composting of wastes such as grass, leaves, flowers, etc
• Track the treatment and disposal costs of waste from individual sections and departments
• Promote recycling of paper, X-ray films and solutions, packing material, etc
Water Conservation
Many parts of
the world are water stressed, and the ever-increasing population
intensifies the problem. The prudent use of this invaluable natural
resource is essential from a resource conservation perspective. Water
use is driven by the number of in-patients and out-patients, equipment
used, facility size, number and types of services, facility age and
maintenance requirements.
Best Practices:
• Check the water supply system for leaks and turn off unnecessary flows
• Install automatic water volume controls that operate independently of the water pressure to control the amount of water
• Recycle and reduce water use wherever possible, consistent with health requirements.
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher
• Reuse the rinse water from the dishwasher as flush water in garbage disposal units
• Water plants early in the morning or in the evening
• Consider using low-volume irrigation, such as a drip system
• Adjust the irrigation schedule for seasonal changes
Good Housekeeping
Cleanliness in
hospitals is an important issue. Cleaning products are a major
contributor to indoor air quality issues in closed environments. Many
contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can give
rise to respiratory irritation, headaches and other symptoms for workers
and building occupants.
Best Practices:
• Replace dust mops and cotton cloths with microfiber
• Purchase vacuum cleaners equipped with high-performance filters
• Vacuum before mopping
• Use advanced technology mop buckets to reduce the redistribution of dirt during cleaning
Toxic Materials
Healthcare
institutions regularly use a significant amount of highly toxic
materials. These toxins affect patients, hospital staff, and hospital
visitors. The management of these materials is an essential part of a
hospital’s day-to-day activities.
Best Practices:
• Examine all hospital departments and functional areas for the presence and use of toxic materials.
• Train the staff on how to safely use potentially hazardous substances.
• Check with pharmaceutical companies for specific information on proper disposal of expired pharmaceutical products
Green Purchasing
Healthcare
facilities purchase thousands of different products requested by dozens
of different departments. From eliminating unnecessary packaging, to
seeking substitutes for products containing mercury or other toxic
substances, purchasing decisions can have a major impact in providing
environmentally friendly healthcare facilities.
Best Practices:
• Buy only what is needed (avoid unnecessary supplies)
• Buy in bulk rather than individually packaged items
• Buy recycled contents (office paper, paper towels, etc.)
• When purchasing new equipment, take their water and energy consumption into consideration
• Educate and train the purchasing department
• Use standard labels and choose the right suppliers
• Prefer reusable products to disposable products.
