All those changes have resulted in further cost savings for the hospitals.
"We've pulled approximately $300,000 to $400,000 a year out of disposable costs going to reusable products for the past four years," said Lucey. "If you don't start changing the way you do business, you're going to go bankrupt."
More New York City hospitals are following NBHN's lead, with nine more facilities in the nation's largest public hospital system now coming on board.
"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible," said Lucey. "Suddenly, you're doing the impossible and that's what we found with our green cleaning program," said Lucey. "If we don't get on top of it and try to lead it and try to be involved with the process change, somewhere, the change is going to be implemented upon you. I'd rather be ahead of it than try to scramble and catch up."
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