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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