Case Studies
Based on the experiences of HHI Sponsoring Organizations, the case studies in this section provide visibility into how and where sustainability fits within the modern healthcare organization. They have been developed as a practical resource to help guide the development and implementation of a successful sustainability program, particularly as it relates to the HHI Challenge areas.
Focusing more on the sustainability journey itself rather than the end-result of such efforts, these studies aim to help healthcare organizations understand the issues, strategies and challenges they may face along the path to sustainability. They provide key insights and lessons learned from organizations that have already been there.
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Apr242013
HHI Releases 2012 Milestone Report
By: HHI AdminIn the first-ever Healthier Hospitals Initiative 2012 Milestone Report released today, 370 HHI-member hospitals indicate that they have reduced their environmental footprint, lowered costs and improved patient health by incorporating sustainability initiatives into their business models.
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Mar182013
Eliminating Sugar Sweetened Beverages at Huron Valley Sinai Hospital, Commerce, Michigan
By: Colleen FunkhouserWith the concern over obesity and chronic health conditions, hospitals are increasingly recognizing their responsibility to model healthier behavior for patients, staff and their community. Huron Valley Sinai Hospital wanted to model healthier behavior through the complete elimination of sugar sweetened beverages through engagement with the Healthier Hospitals Initiative.
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Mar42013
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | Energy Efficiency
By: HHI AdminDemand Ventilation Control System installed on the OR platform, which reduced the number of air exchanges during off-hours.
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Feb222013
Vanguard Health Chicago | Healthy Beverage Case Study
By: HHI AdminThe Vanguard Chicago Market kicked off a healthy beverage campaign, eliminating all sugar-loaded drinks in all of the Chicago based hospitals, healthcare sites, and market office in July, 2012. The sugar-loaded drinks were replaced with healthier options. By 2013, Vanguard Health Chicago will no longer serve any sugar or artificially sweetened beverages.
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Apr262012
Tenet Healthcare | Leadership in Sustainability Work Group
By: HHI AdminThe operations of the facility presented Hahnemann with opportunities for improvement in energy and water use, chemical and hazardous materials use and waste disposal, infection control limitations, and municipal waste control. To assist in managing these opportunities, Hahnemann’s Environment of Care Committee formed the Leadership in Sustainability Work Group.
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Apr22012
Leaner Energy Advocate Health Care
By: HHI AdminEnergy consumption at Advocate Health Care is expected to increase with added facilities, medical and office equipment, associates and patients contributing to our growing use of hospital facilities. Technology and other types of equipment are also being added to the infrastructure reflecting a further increase in overall energy needs and consumption.
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Apr22012
Kaiser Permanente | Delicious, Healthy, and Energy Efficient Vending – Not an Oxymoron
By: HHI AdminNational Nutrition Services (NNS) has worked diligently to improve the taste, healthfulness, and environmental sustainability of Kaiser Permanente’s food offering. From on-site farmer’s markets to local, organic fruits in patient meals, NNS has used out-of-the-box strategies to deliver healthy, delicious food. Vending machines, and the afternoon craving busters they contain, are commonly a counterpoint to an organizational direction. However, in 2006 NNS saw the opportunity to work with existing vending suppliers Canteen and First Class Vending to see what ideas and innovations they had...
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Apr22012
Kaiser Permanente | Supplier Partnership to Phaseout Halogenated Flame Retardants in Medical Furniture
By: HHI AdminKaiser Permanente (KP) purchases medical furniture such as exam tables, chairs, and stools, and waiting room furniture from Midmark. In order to comply with the California technical bullletin (TB) 117, which requires a certain flame retardancy for upholstered furniture, Midmark, along with many other furniture manufacturers, utilized a group of chemicals known as halogenated flame retardants (HFR). HFRs are one of the groups of chemicals of concern that KP has been working diligently to eliminate from the products we buy (including electronic devices).
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Apr22012
Kaiser Permanente | Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) – Purchasing Environmentally Responsible Computers
By: HHI AdminComputers have enabled Kaiser Permanente to provide our members, patients, and physicians with real-time access to electronic medical information which has expedited and simplified delivery of care. But the manufacture, use, and disposal of computers and their electronic accessories have a global adverse impact on human and environmental health. Recognizing the benefits and problems with electronics, Kaiser Permanente was looking for a way to identify more environmentally responsible computer systems. The contract with a new computer system supplier in early 2006 included language...
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Apr22012
Kaiser Permanente | DEHP Minimization in Intravenous (IV) Administration Sets – California and Hawaii Regions
By: HHI AdminKaiser Permanente continues to work in partnership with our suppliers to reduce the exposure of our patients to harmful chemicals like the plasticizer diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), an industrial chemical used in products from cosmetics to PVC medical plastics, as a solvent and softener. DEHP has been shown by the U.S. FDA, the U.S. National Toxicology Program, and other research organizations to have the potential to cause damage to the reproductive and developmental systems of fetuses and newborns. IV administration is a key point of exposure to DEHP. The sets are used for such purposes...