When the Going Gets Green, How Green Are You? Healthcare Sustainability

Session Description: Healthcare is responsible for 4%-5% of greenhouse emissions worldwide contributing to global warming and climate change. Healthcare delivery is changing to be more responsible in creating a culture of sustainability through innovative operations, practices, and policies. Sustainable healthcare can decrease utility and operational costs, improve patient and community trust, decrease the carbon footprint, and improve employee satisfaction and retention. It is important for Infection Preventionists to assist with the development of their facility’s green initiatives and sustainability programs to support safe healthcare delivery for patients. Working in a quaternary care hospital, Infection Preventionists have partnered with our Sustainability Department while using infection prevention guidelines to target and determine environmentally preferred products and services. Some proposed initiatives can be counterintuitive in the prevention of infection and therefore it is imperative the Infection Preventionist is included in the planning of such activities.
This session will share the Infection Preventionist’s experiences when consulted on recyclable activities, reuse programs, water reduction initiatives, and nutrition composting. Learn what infection and prevention strategies must be considered when developing green and sustainable initiatives and how it can impact healthcare safety. This knowledge is useful for the Novice to the Expert Infection Preventionist as your facility moves closer to creating green initiatives and healthcare sustainability. Discover how infection prevention can positively impact sustainability and how to become a partner with your Sustainability Department.