DOYLESTOWN HOSPITAL RECOGNIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS
10/28/2009
"Going green" isn't just a slogan at Doylestown Hospital. It's become a part of the hospital's way of doing things, positively impacting the environment and encouraging the workforce to make a difference. In recognition of its environmental leadership, Doylestown Hospital has received a Trailblazer Award from the EPA.
The EPA's Trailblazer Award, now in its third year, recognizes hospitals in the Philadelphia area and Delaware that have served as models for other hospitals and shown leadership in a particular area of sustainability. These hospitals are helping to pave the way to move all area hospitals forward by reducing their environmental footprint.
There are several key initiatives at Doylestown Hospital that make a profound impact on patient safety and our environment, including housekeeping and infection prevention. The Housekeeping department uses re-usable microfiber mops (one mop per patient room) that save money over traditional string mops and reduces cross contamination. The department also uses a chemical-free floor stripper that virtually eliminates the need for harsh chemical strippers and improves indoor air quality. The department revised its room cleaning practices in concert with an institution-wide effort to reduce the already low rate of hospital-acquired infections. For the first six months of 2009, there were 74 hospital-acquired infections, down from 237 in 2008 and 266 in 2007.
Next, the hospital's arboretum is a visible community reminder of our commitment to stewardship. The storm-water retention basin on campus has become a water feature and is a welcome open space for patients and visitors. Resident swans deter Canada geese from moving in; when the geese start to congregate, a team of border collies is brought in to effectively scare them off.
During the current expansion of the hospital, many trees, shrubs and other plantings in the way of the construction were uprooted and replanted on campus. The hospital also partners with local government for a walking/biking trail on the perimeter of the campus that connects with an extensive system throughout the community. Volunteers care for the arboretum, using organic methods and mostly donated plants. An annual plant swap helps to raise funds for the arboretum.
In addition, the At Your Request food service, begun in 2008, has reduced food waste by 40%. Patients can order what they want from the menu, when they want it (unless there are dietary constraints).
The hospital was one of 140 organizations nationwide to receive the "Making Medicine Mercury-Free Award" in 2008. Doylestown was recognized for virtually eliminating mercury from the facility and demonstrating a commitment to continue to be mercury-free. The award criteria included mercury-free management and purchasing policies and recycling programs.
To engage hospital employees and volunteers, a Green Team was formed to tackle the everyday challenges of greening today's hospital environment. The team has championed several causes.
( The Green Team sponsors an Adopt-a-Highway program with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and participates in highway clean-up programs 2-4 times a year.
( Single stream recycling was introduced in 2008 and has helped to more than triple the amount of recycled materials on campus.
( Several departments have elected to go garbage-free and employ only recycling containers in their areas.
( New practices in Food Service include the elimination of Styrofoam containers and the use of recyclable containers; addition of organic food products; elimination of trans fats; express napkin dispenser which reduces waste, and use of locally-grown in-season produce.
Overall, the Green Team has shown that everyday actions have an important impact on our environment and, in fact, the bottom line. Doylestown Hospital received its Trailblazer Award at the annual meeting of the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council in Philadelphia.
