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Ecological Sustainable Healthcare at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/1860/3088
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| Title: | Ecological Sustainable Healthcare at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania |
| Authors: | Shanks, Denton |
| Keywords: | Ecology
Sustainable Medicine
Healthcare
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Public Health |
| Issue Date: | 21-Aug-2009 |
| Abstract: | Objective: The purpose of this project is to enhance the green healthcare and sustainable
medicine practices in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Department of
Emergency Medicine.
Methods: The Green Team, consisting of staff members from various departments
throughout the hospital, met on a weekly basis to discuss and implement new green
changes and initiatives. The Green Healthcare Audit forms, obtained from the Teleosis
Institute, were utilized to evaluate the hospital’s current performance and the information
gained has guided and will continue to guide the Green Team in their efforts to make
effective changes.
Categories of the Green Healthcare audit include:
· Solid Waste Reduction Recycling
· Energy Conservation
· Water Conservation
· Pollution Prevention
· Medical Technology
· Healthy People
Results: The Green Healthcare audit identified numerous areas that need improvement
in order to be on the path towards an environmentally sustainable healthcare facility.
These improvements include:
Hospital wide recycling program
Paper waste minimization
Red-bag waste minimization
Green purchasing (replacing styrofoam cups and single use medical devices)
Electricity management (energy efficient, motion sensor lights
Pharmaceutical waste management
On Earth Day, April 22, 2009, HUP started a commingled recycling program in the
cafeteria, Department of Emergency Medicine, and Department of Surgery. The
Department of Emergency Medicine also initiated a program to minimize paper waste by
emailing messages to individuals who waste paper at the printer. A red-bag waste
minimization project has also been initiated, in which the current red-bag waste
performance is audited and educational materials are provided to initiate improvements
throughout the hospital where they are needed.
Discussion: A total score of 31% on the Green Healthcare Audit is probably on par or
better than numerous hospitals throughout the U.S., but demonstrates the need for
improvement to constitute having ecological sustainable healthcare as a priority.
Currently there is a significant lack of standardized knowledge throughout healthcare
settings about the numerous facets of ecologically sustainable healthcare. Creating a
positive impact on an institution’s greenness can be a realistic short-term goal by using
proper environmental assessments and interventions. Individuals are ready and eager for
structured change and the implementation of innovative environmentally sustainable
practices. Creating comprehensive change in a major institution requires top-down,
bottom-up, and from-the-middle approaches; yet, everything begins with individuals.
Conclusion: HUP’s Department of Emergency Medicine has initiated procedures to
function more sustainably, both economically and environmentally. These new
procedures have the potential to enhance quality and efficiency of healthcare, while
creating a healthier indoor and outdoor environment. However, monitoring and data
collection are needed to assess progress and to suggest future improvements. Through
these enhancements, HUP has an opportunity to become a leader in Ecological
Sustainable Healthcare. This project utilized a healthcare audit system that was originally
adapted from a green office building template. Although the results did yield ample ideas
for improvement, future work is needed to create a green healthcare audit that is properly
adapted to a major teaching and research-oriented hospital. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1860/3088 |
| Appears in Collections: | Health Sciences Theses and Dissertations
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