Transcript Slide 1
Environmental Stewardship at Kaiser Permanente American Public Health Association Annual Meeting Washington, D.C. November 9, 2004 Prepared by Kathy Gerwig, Kaiser Permanente, VP Workplace Safety Presented by Liz Taghavi, Kaiser Permanente, National Environmental Health and Safety Overview Kaiser Permanente is the nation’s largest nonprofit health plan •$25 billion annual revenue •136,500 employees •12,300 physicians •9 states and Washington, DC 30 medical centers 8.2 million members 431 medical office buildings Environmental Paradox for Healthcare Hazardous chemicals and materials used to treat patients Harmful effects on environmental and human health Environmental Paradox for Healthcare – Incineration of vinyl creates dioxins – Heavy metals in manometer, fixatives, and other products – Wide range of chemicals used, some toxic – Trash – Poor environmental quality responsible for 25% preventable ill-health in the world – Environmentally attributable diseases in American children cost $55 billion Eliminating or reducing these hazards will eliminate environmental health impacts. KP’s Vision for Environmental Stewardship “We aspire to provide health care services in a manner that protects and enhances the environment and the health of communities now and for future generations.” Values – Come from people and events that date back decades in the history of Kaiser Permanente. – Concern for the health of communities extends to the air we breathe and the water we drink. – Business activities are aligned with protecting public health and the environment. Environmental Stewardship supports worker and patient safety, and is undertaken in full alignment with quality and cost imperatives. – Precautionary Principle: where there is credible evidence that a material we’re using may result in environmental/public health harm, we should strive to replace it with safer alternatives. Environmental Stewardship Focus Areas Environmentally Responsible Purchasing •Reduce toxicity and waste through product selection •Increase post-consumer recycled content •Select reusable and durable products •Eliminate mercury •Select products free from PVC and DEHP Environmental Stewardship Focus Areas Green Buildings •Efficient water and energy systems •Least toxic building materials •Recycle demolition debris •Make use of daylight •Manage storm water to enhance surrounding habitats •Reduce site development area to limit disturbances Environmental Stewardship Focus Areas Sustainable Operations •Energy conservation •Waste minimization •Safe electronic equipment disposition •Optimal reuse of single-use products •Capital equipment redistribution •Greening janitorial cleaning products •Recycling and reuse of solvents Environmental Stewardship Focus Areas Transportation Systems Management •Spare the Air •Bike to Work •KaiseRider program •Commuter Choice Evolution of Stewardship Effort at KP Clinical products and materials (Existing protocols) Consultants hired for initial work on building materials Non-clinical products (Invent protocols) Conduct most activities internally Framework for Assessing Materials Sourcing No PVC, PBTs, or carcinogens; postconsumer material; security of supply Sustainable Manufacturing Waste; energy; water; TRI Use CHPS 1350; Green Seal; our own air sampling; performance; aesthetics Post Use Recyclable; reuse; take back KP’s Role in Initiating Change Model Programs That Create Benchmarks Inform Experts Who Influence Industry Educate Constituent Groups KP Environmental Stewardship Influence Standard of Performance Raise Awareness Share Tools Barriers to Environmental Stewardship – Infection Control, staining/discoloration issues, wet environments – Quality and Cost: environmental considerations will never trump quality and cost requirements – Although we have an assessment process, it’s in its infancy, and can be improved – Trade secrets claimed by manufacturers: • We insist on objective, independent, transparent verification of vendor claims and test results. Barriers to Environmental Stewardship – Chemicals and materials targeted and removed are often replaced by other unhealthy components. – Once we’ve made a stand, a product is chosen, many other products come out of the woodwork. We deal with ongoing improvements by periodic review (typically one year). Accomplishments Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention – In 2003, diverted 8,000 tons of solid waste from landfills – In 2003, reused or redeployed 40,000+ pieces of electronic equipment, weighing 410 tons – Eliminated 27,000 grams of mercury from KP health care operations • Phase out of mercury-containing blood pressure devices, thermometers, and GI equipment. – 100 tons of single use devices reprocessed Accomplishments We pioneer and test products and publicize our findings so that others can benefit from our expenditure of resources, time, and expertise – Carpet (vinyl free, recycled content, recyclable) – Resilient flooring (vinyl free, recyclable, non-toxic cleaners and finishers) – Casework and furniture (no added formaldehyde, renewable materials) Goals 2004 Purchasing Goals – Implement scaleable criteria during the SST process – Review existing contracts for environmentally friendly products – Accelerate the existing work to free NICUs of materials containing DEHP/PVC – Develop strategy to comply with Prop 65 (CA) which requires notification of exposure to DEHP Goals Immediate Future and Beyond – New Chemical Policy • Avoid the use of carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins, and persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemicals – New Food Policy • Support healthy food systems in health care • Ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially responsible • KP currently has farmers markets in operation at five medical centers in CA and HI, with expansion plans. Imagine Imagine how many cancers could be prevented by eliminating the use of carcinogens in health care. Imagine how much infertility could be prevented if there were no endocrine disrupting phthalates like DEHP in neonatal units – or elsewhere. Imagine how many communities could have access to nutritious, locally grown organic food if every hospital made it part of their procurement policy.