Fremont, Calif., May 16, 2012-Washington Hospital has received a 2012 “Partner for Change, with
Distinction” award by Practice Greenhealth, in recognition of the
hospital’s ongoing sustainability and environmental conservation efforts.
“We are very proud to receive this important recognition of our continuing
efforts to reduce environmental waste and improve energy efficiency within
our system,” said Washington Hospital Chief Executive Officer Nancy
Farber. “Practice Greenhealth added the “with distinction”
citation after reviewing the hospital’s significant achievements
for this past year, Farber added.
“The award recognized the hospital’s consistent, continuous
and steady incremental improvement toward a true commitment to sustainability,”
she noted.
“Our employees have worked hard to reduce our energy use and medical
and operational waste, improve our use of organic and sustainable food
sources, and expand our community education outreach on this critical
issue,” Farber said.
Practice Greenhealth is a national membership organization for health care
facilities committed to environmentally responsible operations. The Partner
for Change, with Distinction, Award is a very competitive award for health
care facilities that make significant improvements in mercury elimination,
waste reduction and source reduction improvements, beyond the Partner
for Change base criteria, according to the organization.
The base criteria includes at least 20 percent recycling, 10 percent or
less regulated medical waste, an extensive sustainability program and
other programs covering food, energy, water, and chemical minimization.
The honorees must also demonstrate leadership in the local community and/or
the health care sector.
Sustainability and environmental conservation were established as a WHHS
“area of focus” in 2007. Kathy Fox, the hospital’s sustainability
coordinator, received the award on behalf of the hospital at ceremonies
held in Denver, Colorado on May 2. Paul Kelley, Washington Hospital’s
director of biomedical engineering and green initiative, said the hospital’s
sustainability team is committed to expanding its efforts throughout the
district. Specifically, he said the hospital’s new central utility
plant will produce significant reductions in energy use.
Kelley cited some of the district’s sustainability initiatives:
- In energy efficiency, the new laundry, also part of the district’s
construction program, will have energy efficient washing machines where
the final rinse water will be saved and used as the first wash water for
the next load
- Fans have been equipped with variable speed drives rather than running
continuously
- Florescent lights and reflective roofing materials have been installed
in some district buildings
- Nutritional services are featuring healthier menus with, whenever possible,
sustainable seafood and organic and locally sourced food
- The hospital has a small garden which supplies some vegetables and herbs
to the kitchen and food waste is composted for the garden; composting
has increased from 60 to 110 tons this past year
- The hospital’s recycling rate is now at 26 percent and increasing
- The housekeeping department uses eco-friendly and water-friendly products
throughout the system
- Faxes, printers and copy machines are being replaced with multi-function
equipment which default to double-sided printing
- Employees are encouraged to email or scan whenever possible rather than
using paper
- Paper made with recycled materials is used for copiers and printers
- Employee education and outreach efforts have been intensified
About Washington Township Health Care District: Washington Township Health
Care District is governed by an elected board of directors. Unlike a municipal
or county hospital, Washington Hospital’s operating expenses, research,
community programs, and employee salaries are funded by revenues generated
through providing patient and other health care services. Washington Hospital
Healthcare System includes a 359-bed acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam
Bell Neuroscience Institute; The Gamma Knife® Center; Washington Radiation
Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient
Rehabilitation Center; Washington Outpatient Catheterization Laboratory;
Washington Center for Joint Replacement; the Institute for Minimally Invasive
and Robotic Surgery; and Washington West, a complex which houses Washington
Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, Sandy Amos R.N. Infusion
Center, Washington Urgent Care and additional outpatient hospital services
and administrative facilities.