Published on October 17th, 2017 | by Guest

The USA’s Greenest Hospitals [Infographic]

In 2000 the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) began to endorse its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) to improve hospital standards. In order to have healthier, environmentally friendly hospitals for patients and staff innovative concepts are being introduced. This includes the buildings themselves, along with ways to lower toxins, reduce paper waste and improve public transport links.

These hospitals are electing to not only look after their patients in greener ways they are also making it part of their policy to create buildings which work with their surroundings rather than imposing themselves on it.

Green hospitals are being constructed use eco-friendly methods along with green materials to lower the impact of their carbon footprint on the environment.

Energy conservation is evident in all of the USA’s green hospitals. With many using highly efficient electrical equipment to help conserve energy, including automated on-off controls, while the Providence Newberg Medical Centre in Oregon operates on 100% green power. Indoor lighting matters, research has shown that poor lighting increases stress for staff and patients, solar panels, and an indoor atrium are just a couple of ways green hospitals are creating brighter, lighter environments to help improve healthcare.

Water saving and recycling also plays a huge part in helping to keep the hospitals green. Rooftop gardens and water efficient landscaping are in use, along with waste management techniques which lower air pollution.

Inside and outside the hospitals germ control is paramount, especially for people who suffer from weak immune systems. As hospitals need to maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings harsh, and potentially lethal chemicals, are being replaced with low volatile organic chemicals. Low chemical emitting paints and carpets are being used during internal and external during construction, so the hospitals can now say they are ‘clean and green’.

Waste management is being addressed in a variety of ways, including some hospitals omitting the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which emits toxins into the air when incinerated, while other hospitals are totally paperless.

With state of the art facilities, these modern, eco-friendly hospitals are gaining recognition and winning awards for their eco-friendly efforts. So, read on to find out more about The USA’s Greenest Hospitals and how they are helping the environment and patients and staff in a positive and pro-active way.