The following is a release from EvergreenHealth:
For the fifth time, EvergreenHealth has been selected as the winner of a Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award, which recognizes the hospital system for its efficiencies and environmental stewardship while improving patient safety and care through tools, best practices and knowledge.
Practice Greenhealth works to support the healthcare industry in creating safe and eco-friendly workplaces and communities. The Greenhealth Partner for Change Award honors health care facilities that continuously improve and expand upon its mercury elimination and waste reduction, as well as recycling and source-reduction programs. At a minimum, facilities that earn this award must recycle 15 percent of its total waste, have reduced regulated medical waste, are well along the way to mercury elimination, and have developed other successful pollution prevention programs in many different areas.
“One of our commitments to our patients and the community is supporting their healthiest best,” said Bob Malte, CEO of EvergreenHealth. “We take a holistic view of this commitment – to improve health and encourage wellness, preserving our environment is a necessary component. I’m grateful to our team that leads this effort and helps our organization excel in the area of sustainability and environmental stewardship.”
EvergreenHealth has a dedicated group – its “Green Team” – which is accountable to leading the way to protect public health and preserve the environment. The Green Team works together to promote and sustain the environmental health of local and global communities though continuous communication, strategic planning, and implementing cost-effective green practices. A volunteer-based group of EvergreenHealth staff representing hospital administration, nursing, construction management, the EvergreenHealth Care Network, environmental services, facilities, food services, infection control, laboratory, marketing, operational excellence, pharmacy, purchasing, physicians, professional services and safety, make up the team.
EvergreenHealth accepted the award on May 14 in Portland, Oregon at the CleanMed Conference & Exhibition, a national environmental conference for leaders in health care sustainability.
EvergreenHealth and its network of two hospitals, medical staff network and 250 physician medical group, urgent care centers, home care and 24-hour nurse navigator service, called Healthline, have also been recognized as being among the best hospitals in the nation by Healthgrades and U.S. News & World Report for quality and clinical outcomes, as well as the health system’s patient-centered approach to care.
To learn more about Practice Greenhealth visit www.practicegreenhealth.org. For more information about EvergreenHealth, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.
