Sustainability is believed to be a deciding factor for patients when choosing hospitals, according to an article on the FacilityCare website.
A recent Harris Poll study of healthcare professionals reported that 54 percent say their hospitals currently incorporate sustainability into purchasing decisions, and 80 percent expect that to be the case within two years.
According to the study, 64 percent of respondents said green initiatives are an important factor for patients when choosing a hospital.
Healthcare professionals also believe green initiatives make good financial sense for hospitals, the survey said.
The survey identified several areas that need improvement. For instance, only 38 percent of respondents said their hospitals track return-on-investment from purchasing sustainable products.