Twin Falls, Idaho, medical institutions are focusing on cutting back on wasting time and materials, according to an article on the Magic Valley website.
“There’s a lot of waste in healthcare,” said Lynn Hudgens, CEO of Family Health Services, referring to one-use, pre-sterilized supplies that have become a “necessary evil” in medicine. “But we take a look at the supplies we use, and we try to buy things that are reusable.”
“As we constructed each new facility, we looked at saving energy costs and chose more efficient heating and cooling systems,” he said. “We still maintain a conscious effort to conserve.”
North Canyon Medical Center adopted the “Lean” program, which has reduced or eliminated waste in many areas.
Both NCMC and FHS have conservation programs in place and recycle or reuse whatever they can. Some lights are on motion sensors or timers to save electricity.