April 16, 2004—Novation, a health care supply services company, was recently named as a 2004 Champion for Change for helping health care facilities reduce hazardous waste, use more environmentally friendly products and virtually eliminate mercury from the waste stream.
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) is a joint program of the American Hospital Association, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, Health Care Without Harm, and the American Nurses Association. The organization seeks to improve the environmental performance of the health care industry.
Through its contracts, used by the more than 2,300 VHA and UHC member hospitals and health care organizations nationwide, Novation delivers comprehensive measures to help reduce harmful waste. Among the factors used by Novation in contract evaluations is whether suppliers are using environmentally preferred packaging programs or offer hazardous materials management initiatives.
In its safety product catalogs, Novation lists “green” products, as well as products that are free of mercury, latex, PVC or DEHP (Di(2- ethylhexyl)phthalate, which is a softener used for most PVC medical devices. Novation continues to seek opportunities to increase the number of environmentally preferable products available through its contract portfolio.
Novation is focused on supporting the efforts to virtually eliminate mercury from the healthcare waste stream by 2005. Novation has removed mercury-containing devices from its contract portfolio, provided alternatives for mercury-containing products when available, published a Mercury Elimination Guide for members, and addressed mercury elimination in its contract process.
“We want all organizations with whom we consider contracting to know that environmental stewardship is an issue we take seriously,” said Cathy Denning, senior director for safety at Novation. “For example, we take into consideration whether or not manufacturers have environmentally friendly packaging, take-back programs and alternative products to those that are most harmful to the environment.
Denning noted that Novation’s efforts also encourage suppliers to develop environmentally preferred products, because there will be a market for them. “Having these ‘green’ items in our contract portfolio makes it more convenient and affordable for hospitals to access them,” she said.
Additional Novation environmental measures for hospitals include:
- Safety E-News monthly newsletter with environmental safety news and product updates
- Material Data Safety Sheets on private-label products
- Webcast on managing pharmaceutical waste
- “Greener” alternatives for less toxic cleaners, biodegradable disposals, energy efficiencies for buildings and mercury disposal.
The annual Champion for Change Awards are given based on a review by the H2E Awards Committee, composed of representatives from AHA, EPA, ANA, and HCWH, as well as other health care professionals and technical assistance providers. H2E aims to virtually eliminate the use of mercury in health care by 2005, cut health care waste in half by 2010, and reduce the use and production of toxic and hazardous substances.
For more information, contact Novation.
