Think Green
The Power to Heal...
The Environment... Online!
At Abington Memorial Hospital, patient quality and safety is the number one priority, but the environment's quality and safety is an important priority as well.
As a community hospital, AMH has been providing comprehensive, high-quality services for people in Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties for more than 90 years, and its commitment stretches far beyond patient care. These are AMH's neighborhoods, and like any good neighbor, it is the hospital's responsibility to protect the environment and its resources, and keep them clean. It is AMH's duty to perpetually reduce its carbon footprint, to the best of its abilities.
The hospital remains open 365 days a year, 24 hours each day, and provides services similar to those in large hotels, restaurants, and office buildings, in addition to providing clinical services. As such, the hospital is the largest employer, the largest user of water and energy, and the largest generator of waste in the community.
With that in mind, AMH is committed to reducing its environmental impact on the community, as well as its patients, visitors and employees.
The Green Hospital Initiative
AMH is a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for a Green Hospitals Initiative, which includes other local hospitals, the Health Care Improvement Foundation and the Women's Health & Environmental Network (WHEN). This initiative is supported by a grant from the EPA.
In order to develop common approaches and improve practices, members of the Initiative formed four active workgroups:
- Regulated Medical Waste and Recycling
- Green Purchasing
- Rx and Toxic Waste Management
- Green Facilities
Through recycling efforts, environmentally-friendly purchasing, energy conservation and much more, the Green Hospital Initiative has helped to develop best practices for regional healthcare facilities while making a major impact on the reduction of waste and pollution.
In addition, AMH has been invited by Novation - the hospital's group purchasing partner, who helps over 40,000 healthcare organizations manage and reduce supply costs - to participate on a national advisory board. The board will advise Novation's suppliers and manufacturers on greening issues such as manufacturing, packaging and recycling.
