The Healthier Hospitals program encourages hospitals to create a more sustainable business model by reducing energy and water usage, choosing safer and less toxic products, recycling and serving healthier food. Following the program is paying off for Southeast Michigan healthcare facilities, according to an article on the Crains Detroit Business website.
"Sustainability in healthcare is touching on mainstream from an operations standpoint," said John Ebers, associate director of Practice Greenhealth and Healthier Hospitals. "Healthcare organizations are reaching a tipping point with the technologies that have developed to the point where there is a financial payback on sustainability."
Michigan hospitals participating include Henry Ford Health System, St. John Providence Health System, McLaren Healthcare, University of Michigan and Detroit Medical Center.
"We are seeing the general culture of hospitals change where people want to work for sustainable companies," said Ebers. Clinicians and physicians want to work for these type of systems."