From the January 2015 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
5. Air quality/greenhouse gas emissions
With nurses having the highest asthma rates of any sector due to exposure to various chemicals in health care environments, hospitals should take a closer look at products in use. Studies by the Environmental Protection Agency recognize that indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental risks to public health, and improvements can be made through supply chain strategies by purchasing products that eliminate or minimize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas. Here, hospitals can focus on environmentally preferable cleaners (environmental services as well as device cleaners), paints, and furniture certified as low or no VOCs and other environmentally preferable attributes by reputable third-parties when available.
Early adopters are measuring the carbon footprint of health care operations and realizing the huge role that supply chain plays in reducing impact. Anesthetic gases have been identified as contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions and scavenging systems are appearing in the marketplace as a means to capture waste gases and limit off-gassing into the environment. Measuring supply chain impact on greenhouse gas emissions is a way to better make the connection to purchasing and environmental impact.
6. Water quality
Practice Greenhealth’s Benchmark Report found that its award-winning hospitals utilized an average of 64 gallons per square foot. A supply chain focus on minimizing the use of water through products and services purchased can minimize community impacts. For example, products are available that conserve water for washing, sterilization, disinfection, landscaping, steam trap maintenance, toilets, sinks, dishwashers and much more. The EPA’s Water Sense label makes it easier to identify water-saving equipment and realize big wins for water use reduction. Practice Greenhealth award-winning hospitals reported an average savings of $0.25 per staffed bed, per day, resulting from water conservation projects currently underway — for a 200-bed hospital this would translate to $50 per day or more than $18,000 per year. EPA’s Water Sense label certifies products that are 20 percent more efficient without compromising on quality. Water use is only one piece of the picture — water quality is the other. Hazardous materials, antimicrobials in hand soap, cleaners, disinfectants and pharmaceuticals are all contributors to the effluent in wastewater. With the effects of global climate change, water will continue to rise as an area of concern and has already been identified as a concern in many regions in the United States and throughout the world. While the price of water may appear to be low in some regions, prices are on the increase and will continue to rise. Water conservation is important both for the environment and the bottom line.
7. Distribution/Transportation
According to the EPA, in 2008, 27 percent of greenhouse gases came from transportation sources. Greenhouse gases are forecasted to increase dramatically for this sector. When making purchasing decisions, it’s important to understand where the product comes from and how it is transported. Distributors can commit to ship with carriers that are dedicated to reducing impact from transportation. EPA’s SmartWay Program is a partnership with businesses to achieve supply chain fuel efficiencies to minimize the environmental impact of transportation. Distributors can commit to ship more freight with more high performing SmartWay carriers. Using fuel-efficient vehicles and sourcing locally are additional ways to reduce transportation-associated impact.
Once you have your sustainability considerations aligned with supply chain opportunities that support your organizational goals, look at ways to measure success.
8. Partnership with suppliers
Data/spend reports — Businesses not only help their customers achieve their goals, but can help with tracking and performance measurement. Hospitals are struggling with measuring environmental performance. When business partners help to both achieve environmental goals and help with the data to measure success, this is true partnership. Forward-thinking hospitals are bringing their data needs to the contract table to ensure that waste pick-up data, local food sourcing and pounds of meat per meal (to name a few) are provided with monthly reporting. The busy hospital manager can save precious time when data needs are included in contract terms and conditions and addressed up front. Data is critical and supports environmental goal setting and performance tracking.
Education — Business partners are key in education through supporting efforts by helping with educational information as part of their program offerings. With a 24/7 operation and staffing, keeping staffers apprised of changes is an ongoing challenge. Including staff training and round-the-clock in-services as part of the contract helps ensure the necessary training for quality implementation. Joint Commission fairs, Earth Day events and other health events are important ways to engage business partners so their expertise is maximized and integrating into staff educational events.
Don’t look at products through rose-colored glasses! Switch those rose glasses to green and make sure your facility is taking the time to see clearly that what is purchased is very important for the environment, for human health and for the bottom line.
About the author: Beth Eckl is the director of EPP, at Practice Greenhealth
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