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If Only UHN's Hospitals Could Play Hockey

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released recommendations that, through use of design and technology that’s available right here, right now, would lead to large hospitals that consume 50% less energy than the “typical” hospital of today.

Now, anyone involved in healthcare will know that there’s no such thing as a “typical” hospital, but I decided to do a rough (rough!) comparison between UHN and a “typical” hospital in Chicago (hey, I would have loved to compare to a “typical” Hamilton or Brantford hospital, but it’s an American report).

The good news is that UHN is already using (roughly!) 40% less energy than “typical” hospitals in the Windy City. The not so good news is that even though UHN is more energy efficient than a “typical” Chicago hospital, Chicago is home to the Stanley Cup champions and...well...we’ve got the Leafs. The even better news is that it looks like UHN could still become 15-20% more efficient than we already are, which would mean around $3 million less spent on utilities each year, and $3 million more to spend on our patients.

A lofty goal, and definitely something to aim for...though my first goal is to make it through the report; I kind of tailed off at about page 80 of 188...anyone who wants to read the entire report and write me a book report can find it at www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/47867.pdf.

-ed

If He Can Do It...I Can Do It Too

There are some pretty committed green team members at UHN. We have seen people digging through office garbage to help sort recyclables. Not recommended but if you are so inclined - please please be careful when sticking a tender hand into the unknown abyss of a garbage can.

There are green team members that bring in tea towels from home and wash them for their whole unit to try to eliminate the use of disposable paper towels.

There are green team members that contact us when they see too many unused medical supplies getting pitched. In many cases we have reduced or eliminated the need for those items during procedures without compromising staff or patient safety.

But this week I need to tell you about Colin Gerard in Medical Imaging.
Over the last month he has rallied together individuals from out three hospitals, Mt. Sinai and Women’s College to help promote the green team at the Joint Department of Medical Imaging (JDMI) Education Day on September 30th. Together they have ensured that recycling and compost bins will be available for everyone. They will be hosting a raffle and a design contest for a UHN green team banner to be used at all future green team events across UHN. He has several slides that will be shown during breaks so the attendees remember to use the bins so kindly provided and visit the green team table to learn more about all the innovative ways Medical Imaging is greening.

If ever there was a case for the power of one Mr. Gerard has made UHN proud. His enthusiasm and perseverance had encouraged others to do the same and step by step we are seeing that green future emerge…or is that the green team in their green t-shirts?

White Coat Black Art Goes Green - UHN on CBC

Join Dr. Brian Goldman as he explores the issue of healthcare's environmental impact while touring the University Health Network to see how we're meeting the challenge and greening ourselves.

Listen to the show or catch the podcast at

www.cbc.ca/whitecoat/2010/09/17/hospitals-go-green-on-wcba/

Talkin' Trash, September 2010 - poetic licence edition

One Person's Trash Is Another Person's Poetry

Believe it or not, there are some who, for whatever reason, don’t seem to get the same gleam in their eye, the same bounce in their step, the same song in their voice as I do when my thoughts turn to things trash.

So, to help dispel this crazy, crazy myth that garbage, while undoubtedly important, is somewhat boring, somewhat mundane, I turn to the highest form of literacy...the fine art of poetry and give you...

The Greening of UHN in Seventeen Syllables
(all apologies to anyone who knows anything about haiku, poetry or the English language)

Looking for things green?
Find all you could ever want
on the intranet.

Annual report...
Energy, Environment,
what we do all year.

And behind the scenes?
Greening Activities page
has details galore.

What are we doing
about those Styrofoam cups?
We’re working on it.

And L.E.D. lights?
Elevator forty-eight
in the Eaton Wing.

Show some T.L.C....
turn off lights and computers,
conserve energy.

Tired of traffic?
New UHN Carpool Zone
will ease your commute.

Want to ride your bike?
Cycling at UHN page
will help start pedals.

As will UHN’s
Bicycle User Group’s (BUG),
thousand plus members.

There once was a recycling bin
From Nantucket...
(oh, wait...limericks are next issue).

Can we recycle
this or this or this or that?
Check out our posters.

Blue box recycling
And well beyond the blue box...
posters you can print.

Don’t forget compost,
as if stinky, rotting food
could slip someone’s mind.

Take fifteen seconds,
sign UHN’s Greening Pledge,
lead by example.

Want to help green more?
Join the UHN Green Team...
no meetings, free mug.

Outside UHN?
Our brand new Talkin’ Trash blog
will keep you in touch.

It’s a good, good thing
I wrote these poems after
my P.E.S.

Links to the Inside Out

• Hockey is cool. Helping people is cool too. It then follows that playing hockey to help people is the coolest of cool. Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer...too cool.
• White Coat, Black Art goes green. This Saturday, September 18 at 11:00 am on CBC Radio One, listen to Dr. Nizar Mahomed weave his surgical expertise as a whole bunch o' UHNers talk trash.

Green Movies at UHN

Being Caribou (2004)
Environmentalist Leanne Allison and wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer follow a herd of 120,000 caribou on foot, across 1,500 kilometres of rugged Arctic tundra. The husband-and-wife team wants to raise awareness of threats to the caribou's survival.

Manufactured Landscapes (2007)
For almost three decades, internationally renowned Canadian artist Edward Burtynsky has been creating large scale photographs of landscapes transformed by industry: quarries, scrap heaps, factories, recycling yards, dams. Manufactured Landscapes follows Burtynsky to China as he travels the country capturing the evidence and effects of China's massive industrial revolution.

Toxic Trespass (2008)
In Toxic Trespass, intrepid filmmaker Barri Cohen launches an investigation into the effects of the chemical soup around us. She starts with her 10-year-old daughter, whose blood carries carcinogens like benzene and the long-banned DDT. Then, Cohen heads out to Windsor and Sarnia: Canadian toxic hotspots, with startling clusters of deadly diseases.

green teams gettin' er done

Are your greening hopes and dreams coming true? If not – we can help.
Let me know what you think can be improved at UHN, in your department or at your work station!!! It is never too late to start a greening project – here are some inspiring stories to get you going:

Over 20 departmental green teams with 50 members are working on specific initiatives in their areas and making a HUGE difference.

Teams meet every 3-6 months with Energy and Environment (aka Ed and Kady) as needed so that no paper gets wasted, no compost goes uncollected and no lights get left on.

The Radiation Therapy team is recycling mountains of drape sheets every day that were being thrown in the trash – thank you!

The Drug Development program has implemented Paper Towel composting program – merci!

E- Heath has switched to 100% recycled content paper and has been tracking the environmental impact of the telehealth program – gracias!

estimated savings from telehealth program over six month period
757, 234 km not traveled by patients
108,958,155 grams GHG not emitted
99,955 grams air pollutants not emitted

I will save all the dozens of projects currently underway for another day.

Greenly,

Kady

Talkin' Trash - July

DOING MORE BY DOING LESS

Recycling...it’s good and all, but when it comes to the environment, it really is the lowest rung of “3Rs” ladder. At the top is good ol’ “reduce”, as in reduce the amount of waste we produce, as in...hmmm...if only I had a good example of waste reduction. Wait...I know...imagine you’re throwing this party and, to impress your guests, you decided to build an artificial lake (just a made up example here, folks). And just say you build said fake lake using FSC certified wood, 100% PVC free post-consumer plastic, solar powered tools and fill it with fair trade water...heck, you even donate the loyalty points from putting the $650,000 tab on your credit card to the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations. Now, one could argue that this would be a green lake, a pinnacle of our greening potential. Or one could say that the greener, waste reducing option would have been to not build the lake in the first place, spend a little more to get organic beverages and make a nice donation to the PMH and TGH & TWH Foundations. But enough of these hypothetical examples...

GOLLY GEE - 20 WASTE REDUCTION IDEAS FOR UHN
(okay, only seven ideas, but then the pun wouldn’t work)

● Let’s see...10,000 or so UHNers times one cup of fair trade coffee/tea/soy beverage per day times 230 or so working days per year equals 2.3 million cups!!! That’s a lot of waste, be they recycled (which we can now do in our “cans & bottles” bins) or sitting in a landfill for the next couple of generations. Not to mention that collectively we could save nearly $250,000 from travel mug discounts (cheques can be made out to Energy & Environment...or, of course, the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations).

● Print? Not! 46 million sheets of paper a year at UHN can’t be wrong, can they?

● Before you toss that extra furniture or those unwanted office supplies in the trash, post them on UHN’s Virtual Swap Room (http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests), and try to find them a new home.

● What to get that person who has everything? Give them the gift of “nothing” with tribute cards from our PMH (www.pmhf.ca) or TGH & TWH (www.tgwhf.ca) Foundations.

● BYORWB – Bring Your Own Refillable Water Bottle, that is.

● Before you buy offices supplies or furniture, visit UHN’s Virtual Swap Room (http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests) first.

● Picture this. You arrive home after another satisfying day of providing patient and planet centred care. It’s the end of the week, so you decide to live a little and order a pizza...the usual, local organic goat cheese, fresh rosemary from the proprietor’s garden and all the free range anchovies one could legally hope to have. The pie arrives, and you dig in...picking off and eating the anchovies and eventually throwing the rest into your green bin. What’s wrong with this picture (and no, it’s not that rosemary and goats don’t mix)? Of course, it’s the waste. And yet, we at Energy & Environment hear the occasional story of people having to open up pre-packaged medical supply kits to only use one or two items, with the rest ending up in the trash. Well, not that we really want to hear such stories, but we want to hear such stories from you...let us know if this has happened to you and we’ll see if we can do something about it.

● Have I mentioned the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations yet?

Envirobytes

Sure, recycling is good, but it's really the bottom of the environmental ladder...if we really want to protect our quality of life and lessen our impact on the environment, we need to focus more on the other two "Rs": "reduce" and "reuse".

BUG News - June

Hello Cyclists,


In this newsletter:
1. May events at UHN huge success
2. Mary Ann Neary from TWH featured in Toronto Star – see attachment, sorry it is so large.
3. UHN doctor’s cycling safety study reported in the Globe and Mail
4. UHN doctor’s study linking poor air quality and negative health outcomes reported on CTV
5. Clean air Commute June 14-18
6. A UHN that rides together has pride together – group commute leaders needed
7. TWH showers now available – contact me for more information
8. 2010 bike maps on site – available at all UHN libraries
9. TGH - CSB Bike cage cleaning – check the cage for notices and details
10. Update from the City of Toronto - cyclometer

May Events at UHN a Huge Success
Spring Bike Maintenance Clinic at TWH and Bike to Work Day
We had 10 staff register for the maintenance clinic and everyone learned a lot – thanks for coming along
Congratulations to Pamela LeCavalier who won the $50 gift certificate to Curbside Cycle.

Monday of this week at least 13 UHN staff joined folks from across the city to Bike to Work – that was a lot of fun for 7 am on a Monday morning – good breakfast too.

Mary Ann Neary from TWH featured in Toronto Star
Out of all the executives that bike to work across the city Mary Ann’s story was selected to be published in the May 29th GTA section of the Toronto Star. A great story bound to get even the most committed driver onto a bike. Post story

UHN doctor’s cycling safety study reported in the Globe and Mail
In Vancouver, beware of cars; in Toronto, watch for streetcar tracks
Read the report involving Dr. Steven Friedman at this link www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/in-vancouver-beware-of-cars-in-toronto-watch-for-streetcar-tracks/article1587335/

UHN doctor’s study linking poor air quality and negative health outcomes reported on CTV
See the clip with Dr. Kenneth Chapman at this link http://watch.ctv.ca/news/health/lifetime-with-pauline-chan/#clip308653

Clean air Commute June 14-18
Register online at this link it is just for UHN - http://www.cleanaircommute.ca/register.php?lSet=f&cid=145&lid=182

When Clean Air Commute week is over you will be entered into a region-wide draw for one of three great prizes –
• A 9-day adventure trip in Costa Rica from Intrepid Travel.
• One of two $1,000 shopping sprees at Canadian Tire.
• On top of these great prizes, UHN will be giving away a Raleigh Airlite bike to a lucky employee who clean air commutes.

A UHN that rides together has pride together – group commute leaders needed
Do you want to meet other UHN staff who bike to work? – I will host a group commute the morning of June 15th
Let me know if you are interested in getting involved kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca

TWH showers now available – contact me for more information
TRUE – The Oasis Wellness Center and Energy and Environment are pleased to announce access to showers at TWH
Contact me kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca for more information
Staff are responsible for bringing their own shower items (towel, shampoo, soap, etc.)

REMINDER shower pilot at TGH running until June 30.
There is one shower in the Wellness massage room at TGH 1NU 168
Showers will be available at these times ONLY on a first come first serve basis.
Tuesday - 7:00 am - 9:30am
Wednesday - 8:00 am 9:30am

2010 bike maps on site – available FREE at all UHN libraries
TGH - Eaton North Wing 1-418
TWH - Fell Pavilion 5-505
PMH – 5th floor

CSB Bike Cage Cleaning
I hope to have the CSB bike cage power washed later this month, in the mean time really dusty bikes will be given notice this week about removal. If you know anything about these bikes please contact me kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca

BUG news - May

Hello Cyclists,

There is a lot going on with Bikes at UHN so read on…

1. Summary of UHN Cycling Town Hall
2. TWH *NEW* bike room map
3. Inter-Hospital Health Challenge
4. Bike Month (May)
5. Bike to Work Day (May 31st)

Summary of UHN Cycling Town Hall
Thanks everyone for coming and showing your support for cycling programs at UHN – It was great to meet you.
Our speaker was excellent –sparked a lot of discussion and questions.
Dr. Chris Cavacuiti commented on an array of research findings directly related to cycling safety and infrastructure. Papers can be accessed from the website “Share the Road” http://www.sharetheroad.ca/research-s11714

Cycling Master Plan highlights include commitment to more safe and secure bike parking facilities, showers and change rooms for staff

Dot’mocracy helped to prioritize planning options for the year ahead. Here are the top picks:

- Access card entry to bike parking facilities at all three sites
- Bike maintenance tool kit and pump available in bike parking facilities
- More incentives for cyclists through benefits package

Communicate with delivery truck companies to ensure they respect bike lanes around UHN. If you see delivery trucks abusing the rules of the road please let me know so I can communicate with their corporate offices

As always we will be participating in the Clean Air Commute in June

Bike maintenance workshops
If you didn’t have a chance to attend the Wellness bike clinics in April, we will be hosting one clinic in May – stay “tuned” for more details
I thought the Town Hall was a tremendous success – we will definitely do it again next year.

TWH*NEW* bike room map
TWH *NEW* bike room map is now available – email me for your copy kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca

Inter-Hospital Health Challenge - GO UHN GO!
Today marks the start of the Inter-Hospital Health Challenge! The challenge runs from Monday, May 3-May 30th including weekends. Registration has been extended to Sunday, May 9th. We’re competing for the whole health trophy, so let’s have fun, get active, and add healthier options to our lives.
I am doing it!!! If you haven’t already joined up click here http://intranet.uhn.ca/home/wellness/courses/inter_hospital_challenge.asp
Questions? Phone the Wellness Centre for more information, 14-4486.

Bike Month (May)
Bike Month – get involved with some fun stuff around town
For More Information: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/events/index.htm

Bike to Work Day (May 31st)
Do you want to join Bike to Work Day May 31st?
RSVP kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca - there is a special breakfast being offered to UHN staff who join the group commute
Commuters from around the city meet to ride together from four start points and converge at Yonge and Bloor for 7:30 a.m.
For More Information: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikemonth/group-commute.htm

Start Points:
• A. Bloor & High Park @ 7 a.m.
• B. Yonge & Lawrence @ 7 a.m.
• C. Danforth & Woodbine @ 7 a.m.
• D. Bloor & Yonge @ 7:30 a.m.
• E. Arrive at City Hall @ 8 a.m.

Happy Riding!

Talkin' Trash - April

SPRING HAS SPRUNG, THE GRASS HAS RIZ

Ahhhh...springtime!! Time to cast off those winter coats and emerge from hibernation, refreshed, renewed and ready for anything...including a bit of spring cleaning.

And it turns out that here at Energy & Environment, we have a bit of cleaning to do...a drip of information here, a drop of a reminder there and a general hodgepodge of GREENING@UHN tidbits that have accumulated throughout the winter. And, because perhaps I’m suffering a slight bout of spring fever (aka, plain ol’ lazy), instead of writing out proper sentences and full newsletters, I give you...

A SMORGASBORD OF GREEN
(in no particular order)

● So, aside from hibernating, suffering spring fever and writing emails, what exactly does Energy & Environment do? Find out in the 2009 Annual Report available at http://documents.uhn.ca/sites/uhn/Environmental_Management/Annual%20Report/2009.pdf

● Biomedical waste – throwing it in the regular garbage can lead to fines, injury, and our garbage companies not taking our 21,000 pounds of waste any more...so please dispose of appropriately.

● Speaking of spring cleaning...do you have any extra binders, furniture or other office supplies? Instead of tossing them, post their availability on UHN’s Virtual Swap room at http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests. And before you go buying all sorts of new stuff, check out the swap room first.

● Biomedical waste – throwing non-biomedical waste items in yellow bags, red bags or sharps container costs the hospital unnecessarily (do we really need to sterilize clean wrappers, newspapers and your leftover lunch, cooking abilities not withstanding?), not to mention the environmental impacts associated with waste treatment...so please dispose of appropriately.

● Nothing says springtime like getting out the ol’ two wheeler. Learn more about cycling at UHN and have your say at the very first ever Cycling Town Hall being held on April 22 (Earth Day) from 9:00 – 10:30 am in the TGH Wellness Office (1 NU 168, beside the Tim Horton’s. Dr. Chris Cavacuiti from St. Michael’s Hospital will be speaking about “Making the Case for Cycling - A Physician's Perspective”.

● Biomedical waste – please, please, please, please, please recycle batteries, but please, please, please, please, please do not use sharps containers to collect them. Get in touch for more information on how to set-up battery recycling in your department.

● Recycling – it’s good for the environment, saves UHN money and easy to do. Get the full list of what can and cannot be recycled and composted on the Energy & Environment intranet page at http://intranet.uhn.ca/departments/enviro/ ...but please remember that, because we have a private waste company servicing the hospital, “cans & bottles” (aka, metal, glass and plastic) cannot be mixed with paper or cardboard for recycling.

● Speaking of spring cleaning...UHN will once again be participating the 20 Minute Toronto Makeover on April 23. Learn more at www.toronto.ca/litter/clean-up/20minute.htm and stay tuned for UHN details.

● Energy efficiency – it’s good for the environment, saves UHN money and easy to do. Learn more about our “TLC – Care to Conserve” energy management program at http://intranet.uhn.ca/departments/enviro/tlc/index.asp.

Green Team News - March

Hi Folks,

Spring has sprung and I invite YOU ALL to participate in two upcoming Earth minded events

• WWF Earth Hour: UNPLUG and connect with a friend - enjoy the much needed break from all things electronic!
Saturday March 27th 2010 – 8:30 pm
www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx

Once you have warmed up with that don’t forget to do something special at home and at work for the
• 40th anniversary of Earth Day
Thursday April 22, 2010
www.earthday.net

Kady will be promoting REUSE through the UHN virtual swap room, check it out on the UHN intranet message board as well as reducing the use of plastic at home

• WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Here are a few suggestions:
If you are at UHN visit us on the intranet http://intranet.uhn.ca/departments/enviro/

1. Launch TLC Thermostats, Lights and Controls – UHN energy management program in your department
2. Get a bin for battery recycling
3. Get a compost bin and schedule to empty contents in central collection
4. Pack litterless lunches for a whole week or more
5. Use your travel mug every day
6. Host a lunch and learn in your department
7. Get everyone in your department to sign the UHN greening pledge online
8. Download and put up fresh UHN Recycling posters -

Let us know what you are up to and what we can do to help
Future generations will thank you!

Bicycle User Group - aka BUG News February

Hello Cycling Enthusiasts,

I hope that winter is treating you well and biking has been plentiful.

We are only an email away
It has been a while since we were in touch – so if you have any comments or questions for Energy and Environment and/or the UHN cycling group please get in touch
By email
UHNCycling@uhn.on.ca

Visit the NEW and IMPROVED website
http://intranet.uhn.ca/home/wellness/cycling.asp

Awards
You asked did UHN win any sustainable transportation awards recently, and the answer is YES!!!
We received the 2009 SMART Commute Employer of the Year award in the Fall.

Other Green things at UHN
Please commit to caring for the environment by taking UHN’s online Greening Pledge.
Names will be displayed online to showcase the number of staff working together to conserve energy and the environment, thus creating a greener UHN. Take the pledge and show that you care!
http://documents.uhn.ca/sites/enviro/Lists/UHN%20Greening%20Pledge%202/NewForm.aspx

Planning to give up your car?
University Health Network Employees receive Zipcar discounts for car sharing. You’ll receive a discounted flat rate of $8.75/hr, $66/day (24hrs) and $56/business day (7am - 7pm) Monday through Friday (includes evenings, excludes BMWs, Audis and convertibles). For More information visit: www.zipcar.com/uhn.

Upcoming Event
Save the Date April 22, 2010 Time: 3 -4:30 pm (Earth Day)
UHN cycling TOWN HALL

I am looking forward to getting MORE UHN staff on their bikes in 2010.

Bright Ideas - information on energy conservation, January

YOU, YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE...IN AN ENERGY SAVING SORTA WAY

Sigh.

I must be getting old. You see, it’s time for another Bright Ideas newsletter, where we remind people of the importance of shutting off lights, computers, monitors, fans, radios, printers and heaters when you leave for the day, or when you step away from your work area...and just how easy it is to do so.

In my youthful past...well, I just would have come right out and asked people to “GIVE A FLICK”, but now well...I just want people to show a little TLC.

Now, before you get all sentimental on me, allow me to explain.

You see, TLC (which stands for “thermostats, lights and controls” and has the tag line “Care to Conserve”...pretty snazzy, eh?) is UHN’s brand spanking new, integrated, comprehensive, free-range, 100% organically raised energy management program, that combines a little of the techie side of saving energy (you, know, installing light switches, tuning up the ventilation system and those sort of things) and a little of the people side of saving energy (you know, getting people to use those light switches, give us a call if the ventilation needs tuning up, and those sort of things).

And while we’re on the subject, TLC is actually not that brand spanking new...it’s already been in place for a year at TWH (where we’re seeing energy savings of about 5%, with greenhouse gas reductions of over 5,600 tonnes), it’s currently being rolled-out at TGH, and we’re just getting ready to bring a little TLC to PMH.

TLC’s goals are lofty (a 25% reduction in energy use), the plan is big...and we really need your help to get there. You see, as far as we can tell, nobody has really tried to implement a comprehensive energy management program like TLC, especially in a complex and diverse setting such as a hospital, so even though we have a pretty good idea of what we need to do, we’re doing a bit of learning and a lot of listening along the way. We need your feedback, we need your ideas, we need your eyes & ears...and we need you to Care to Conserve.

It’s easy:
● Got hands? Clean ‘em...but first turn off unused equipment and appliances (thanks Infection Prevention & Control).
● Submit an energy saving idea...let your Energy & Environment department know what opportunities you see to save energy at UHN...and you can send them all to our brand spanking new email address, energyandenvironment@uhn.on.ca.
● Become a champion, inspire others, save the world...join the UHN GREEN TEAM.

And remember...isn’t it time you gave a FLICK (sorry, old habits die hard)?