Summarizing Green Practices in U.S. Hospitals

Abstract

The author used an Internet search to locate hospitals presently practicing green policies. She also included results from a Practice Greenhealth survey. Governmental antecedents and benefits of the green movement were also included. With limited documentation of the green movement in hospitals, the primary goal was to provide a compilation of policies and procedures that may be useful to hospitals considering the implementation of green practices. To that end, approximately 10 case hospitals were highlighted, along with a team of hospitals that collaborated on environmental and patient initiatives. The Practice Greenhealth survey of over 700 member hospitals highlighted additional progress that hospitals have achieved in the green movement.