3 steps to reduce hospitals' environmental impact - AMDR | Association of Medical Device Reprocessors

Going green could save hospitals billions of dollars.

Hospitals could save billions by going green, according toDallas/Fort Worth Healthcare Daily. “From water conservation and waste management efforts, to switching to electronic medical records (EMRs), to purchasing and using non-toxic and reusable cleaning supplies, hospitals are increasingly aware of their environmental impact on patients and their community.”
The healthcare industry produces 8 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But hospitals could save $5.4 billion over five years and as much as $15 billion over a decade by adopting more sustainable practices, according to a 2012 study from the University of Illinois-Chicago’s School of Public Health. Those practices include reducing medical and landfill waste, making more efficient OR supply purchases and using reprocessed rather than single-use devices, according to the article.