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Green Initiatives at AMH

Conservation

Energy

AMH has replaced 1,000 25-Watt incandescent lamps with LED lamps, reducing electrical usage by 8,650.50 kilowatts per year. In addition, another 1,600 light bulbs have been replaced with cost- and energy-efficient LED lamps and the hospital has installed occupancy sensors in most conference rooms.

In the Widener and Highland buildings, incandescent lamps and exit signs have been replaced with LED lamps (except for signal & dimmable system lamps), reducing electrical usage by 252,215 kilowatts per year.

In 2000, Plant Operations replaced the magnetic ballast in every fluorescent fixture in the Widener, Highland and Rorer buildings to electronic ballasts. The electronic ballasts monitor the wattage output of the LED bulbs and relegate the lamps to half the wattage of the old magnetic ballasts. 90 four-foot fluorescent ballasts were changed from T12 to T8, reducing electrical usage by 1,971 kilowatts per year.

Plant Operations is currently working with lighting and electronics companies — such as Sylvania and Watt Stopper — to further expand the hospital's energy-saving initiative, which will include installing more occupancy sensors and LED lamps throughout the organization. The department has also been exploring new energy-saving innovations, such as wind energy, solar energy and cogeneration technologies.

Additionally, Facilities Planning utilizes energy efficient windows — which reduce winter heat loss and summer heat gain — in all of its construction. The department also employs "Free Cooling," which uses mechanical systems designed to take advantage of outside air temperatures, where possible, for cooling and heating.

To further reduce energy, the Green Team ran an internal campaign directed at turning off lights, printers, computer monitors, and other high-energy consumers while not in use. A flyer reiterating the conservation of energy was sent out to the organization through email, and a sign was designed for individuals to place on their doors when they turn out their lights in order to save energy.

Water

With improved boiler controls, AMH saves 110,000 gallons of water annually. In addition, sensor-operated sink faucets and low-flow toilets have been added in public bathrooms throughout the hospital to greatly decrease water consumption, with a broader expansion coming in the next few years.

Paper

Efforts have been made hospital-wide to reduce the amount of paper AMH uses everyday. Along with double-sided printing - standard on departmental printers hospital-wide - individual departments and units have been self-monitoring their paper usage and reducing unnecessary paper waste where they can.

One department in particular stands out for making amazing strides in paper reduction, the Laboratory. Employees in the Lab discovered a major source of paper waste came from the paper results they mail to physicians (the results are also faxed and available online to physicians). By eliminating the cumbersome process, the Lab reduced its paper usage from 5,593 sheets of paper a month to 475 sheets of paper - a 91.5 percent reduction!

Decreased red bag waste

Improper use of red bags is an expensive and harmful practice (see Red Bag Waste). Once an object is placed in a red bag, it cannot be removed, reused or recycled. Red bags have been positioned into areas where they are most likely to be used correctly. This better positioning, along with better informed employees and additional recycling bins, has lowered AMH's RBW to less than 20 percent of total waste.

Three units with a very high volume of Red Bag Waste were integral in helping AMH lower total Red Bag Waste by more than 20 tons (55.74 tons in January to 35.41 tons in May), and increase Recycled Waste by almost 14 tons (17.57 tons in January to 30.05 tons in May), so far in 2009.

Decreased linen usage

Limiting bed changes conserves energy and water, and decreases detergent usage. Full bed linen changes are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Linens are changed immediately when soiled or at the patient's request.

Less Styrofoam

Styrofoam does not deteriorate and prevents efficient recycling. Styrofoam carry-out containers in the cafeteria have been replaced with plastic wrap and foil. Discounts on beverages are offered to employees who bring their own cups rather than use the Styrofoam products available in the Pavilion Grille.

The Nutrition Department continuously monitors vendors for more eco-friendly and cost-efficient products, and will continue to convert to these products over time.

Phasing out DEHP

AMH is now using DEHP-free I.V. bags and tubing in the NICU, Pediatrics and Maternity. The hospital's goal is to become completely DEHP-free within the next several years.