FY17 Environmental Stewardship Program Report

Healthcare Without Waste

  • Leadership
  • Education & Communication
  • Energy
  • Water
  • Green Buildings / Operations & Maintenance / Transportation
  • Safer Chemicals
  • Food Systems
  • Environmentally Preferred Purchasing
  • Waste Management & Reduction

Safer Chemicals

Reducing exposure to chemicals in order to “first do no harm”

Healthier Furnishings

Manufacturers use synthetic chemicals when creating products for the building industry. Studies from Healthy Building Network note that chemicals of concern added to upholstery and architectural products provide no health benefits; are associated with adverse endocrine, thyroid and reproductive changes; persist in the environment; add cost; and expose patients and associates to unnecessary chemicals.

https://healthybuilding.net/content/research-and-reports

Ascension collaborates with other health systems, design firms and manufacturers leading the market to develop healthier alternatives. Ascension Planning, Design & Construction created standards to minimize chemicals of concern in furnishings and interior finish materials. Focus areas in FY17 were to minimize the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), flame retardants, fluorinated stain treatments, formaldehyde and antimicrobials. Vinyl is prevalent in healthcare flooring products due to its durability, low cost and ease of maintenance. The use of vinyl can be partly mitigated by selecting no-wax flooring products.

Clean and Green

88 percent of Ascension hospitals report implementing green cleaning programs through TouchPoint Environmental Services, including the use of hydrogen peroxide general purpose cleaners, non-ammonia glass cleaners and floor scrubbing machines that use water only. St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, installed ozenated water systems to replace general-purpose chemical cleaners for glass and stainless steel.

Antibiotic Stewardship Through Handwashing Products

14 percent of Ascension hospitals report eliminating triclosan and triclocarban in handwashing soaps in non-clinical areas to support of Ascension's antibiotic stewardship work as well as minimize the use of hand sanitizers to only where needed. The chemicals will be discontinued from use in compliance with the FDA Final Rule on Healthcare Antiseptics issued in January 2018. This project is a collaboration of The Resource Group, TouchPoint EVS and the Ascension Infection Prevention program and will be completed in FY18.

Pest Control Without Chemicals

Several Ascension hospitals employ Integrated Pest Management methods to minimize chemical pest control by the most economical means, and with the least possible risk to people, property, and the environment.