GREEN HOSPITALS: EARTH-FRIENDLY INSTITUTIONS

MedicalExpo Shows You How Certain Hospitals are Embracing the Challenge of Going Green

Hospitals consume large amounts of energy and produce mounds of waste, however a greater awareness of the benefits of reducing their environmental impact is inspiring hospital management teams to go green. Initiatives in the areas of waste, energy, building design and staff behavior are helping to bring medical facilities into line with more progressive industries. Certain environmentally-conscious hospitals are choosing accreditation scheme’s such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as a way to show their green credentials. To date, 780 healthcare facilities have secured LEED status, with a further 1500 working towards it.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust in London, one of the largest hospital sites in the UK, has made great strides in lowering carbon emissions, while making economic savings. The hospital over-hauled a wide range of equipment such as boilers, insulation and lighting to make them more energy-efficient. The hospital’s management team also engaged 160 environmental ambassadors to spread the green message throughout the hospital.