Hospitals make slow progress toward sustainability

Survey shows hospitals say that environmental sustainability is important, but are at varying stages of initiatives

By Healthcare Facilities Today


The move toward more environmentally sustainable facilities in the hospital sector isn’t a race but more of a crawl, according to results of the 2013 Health Facilities Management survey, conducted in cooperation with the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) and designed to provide a look at the state of sustainability in healthcare facilities.

An article in the July 2013 issue of the publication examines the results of this survey, noting that while the “overwhelming majority” of hospitals responding note that environmental sustainability is important, they also are at varying stages of sustainability initiatives within their facility. Respondents came from a random sample of 4,660 hospital executives.

The survey reveals that overall growth toward sustainability is slow. While some initiatives showed an increase, the article notes that most of the 2013 survey results remained consistent with those of the previous survey conducted in 2010. The survey also covers what hospitals aren’t doing – most prominently, tracking performance metrics in such areas as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EnergyStar ratings, total waste generation or recycling rates. There was very little increase in activity in this area over the past three years since the last survey.

As the article stresses, the slow progress toward greater sustainability initiatives in hospitals comes down to costs and funding – the primary roadblocks. Tight budgets and a sluggish economy create competing priorities, which then plays a role in hindering rapid progress. Hospitals have crucial choices to make, and many supersede sustainability.

Read the article.

 



September 9, 2013


Topic Area: Sustainable Operations


Recent Posts

What Healthcare Facilities Can Learn from a $49 Million Window Failure

A major window system failure at the University of Iowa’s Children’s Hospital sparked a costly replacement project – and a $49.4 million arbitration win.


Family Care Center Opens Newest Clinic in Memphis

It has expanded to offer comprehensive mental health services for all ages in Germantown neighborhood of Memphis.


More Than 700 Rural Hospitals Join Microsoft Cybersecurity Initiative

The initiative, created in concert with the AHA, includes free and heavily discounted cybersecurity services and more.


Fire at Assisted Living Facility Kills 9, Injures 30

Half of the building’s residents were evacuated through small windows.


North Carolina Children's Health Selects Apex for Campus Location

The groundbreaking is anticipated to happen in 2027.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.