Environmental experts and other advocates often have a tough time selling sustainability to healthcare organizations, as making infrastructure and other changes needed often require a substantial up-front investment. However, industry experts have determined that improved environmental health and safety measures often result in big savings that make an effort worthwhile.
According to the University of Illinois-Chicago’s School of Public Health, American hospitals could save $15 billion over a decade by implementing sustainable practices in their facilities. Companies that provide sustainability consulting in the healthcare sector conduct site investigations to help healthcare facilities identify practices that need changing, and infrastructure that needs updating, to reduce environmental impact and cut costs.
Some environmental health and safety concerns consultants can help with include: Air quality and HVAC efficiency – Many major facilities use severely outdated HVAC equipment that is energy inefficient and which does little to promote better air quality.
installing better HVAC equipment, facilities can reduce energy usage and also improve patient health. Risk management – Preventable hazards in healthcare facilities can result in patient and employee injury, which can end in costly litigation, and potential fines and penalties. Environmental consultants can help identify risks and offer suggestions for mitigation that will reduce facility exposure to unnecessary accidents and mishaps.
Wastewater and stormwater management – The EPA has stepped up oversight of wastewater and stormwater management in recent years.
Properly managing wastewater and stormwater can help healthcare facilities avoid fines and penalties. Environmental consultants can ensure facilities’ permits are in order and also ensure facilities are in full compliance with the law. Energy efficiency – Hospitals and healthcare facilities are huge consumers of electrical power. According to the Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey, the average hospital spends about $675,000 on energy costs each year.
Environmental consultants can review a hospital’s infrastructure and operations, and suggest retrofits and other changes that can substantially reduce energy consumption. Pharmaceutical and other waste – Environmental consultants can help hospitals manage the huge amount of waste they generate, ensuring they follow regulations about hazardous waste and pharmaceutical waste. Recycling and waste reduction programs can save money while ensuring that compliance with laws governing pharmaceutical and hazardous waste can help hospitals avoid fines. With the help of qualified environmental consulting companies, the healthcare industry can make a huge dent in costs associated with health and safety, allowing them to focus on providing better care to patients. this sustainability is rapidly growing to meet the ever-rising demands in the health sector. Which should be taken into great consideration to meet the challenges presented by these medical wastes.
Invensys is committed to corporate sustainability, which it defines as supporting in its practices the principles of social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and economic success. By acting as a dependable corporate citizen, Invensys expects that it will not only conduct business ethically and legally but also enhance its reputation as a business partner and minimize business risk. Sustainability is also a source of real business advantage and a differentiator. Environmental sustainability is the new approach that must be taken into great consideration.