Lizabeth Taghavi, Manager, National Environmental, Health and Safety, Kaiser Permanente, 2101 E. Jefferson St, 6-West, Rockville, MD 20852, 301 816-5785, Lizabeth.R.Taghavi@kp.org

In the course of providing health care to patients, health care institutions use products, materials, pesticides and other chemicals that are hazardous to human and public health. A number of health care institutions are now focusing on reducing these hazards by redesigning how they select products, how they design and construct buildings, and how they use and maintain equipment, buildings and supplies. Priorities include incorporating sustainable design practices into healthcare buildings, eliminating medical waste incineration to reduce dioxin and mercury pollution; eliminating the procurement of products that contain persistent bioaccumulative toxins; finding substitutes to hazardous chemicals used in health care; minimizing waste and increasing recycling; reducing energy use; and conserving natural resources. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente (KP) is the largest nonprofit health plan in the U.S. serving 8.2 million members. It aspires to provide health care services in a manner that protects and enhances the environment and health of communities now and for future generations. The presentation describes actions of KP's Environmental Stewardship Council, including environmentally responsible purchasing, green buildings, and sustainable operations. KP works with a variety of partners, including Health Care Without Harm, to implement changes, and to improve the environmental performance of the health care industry.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Discuss the framework for environmental stewardship in health care, and its rationale.
• Describe specific steps that may be taken to increase environmental stewardship in hospital settings.
• List collaborations among healthcare providers and community based organizations to change existing practices.

Keywords: Environment, Sustainability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I work for Kaiser, which provides services to patients

Handout (.ppt format, 633.0 kb)