The Green Digest
A Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care Initiative
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RETScreen is a Clean Energy Management Software system for energy efficiency, renewable energy and co generation project feasibility analysis as well as ongoing energy performance analysis. Learn more
HERE
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In the interests of public safety, please follow health agency guidelines to help keep us all healthy. For more information and prevention tips, visit the Government of Canada's COVID-19 site
HERE
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DO NOT throw out face masks and other PPE
“It is one of the most important and I think worthwhile lines of pursuit for PPE right now,” claims Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer.
Canadian hospitals should not throw out used face masks and other protective equipment because public health officials are investigating whether it will be possible to disinfect and reuse them. In her daily briefing to Canadians, Dr. Tam also said chief medical officers are working on recommendations to the general public for the best uses of homemade face masks.
Tam continues to warn Canadians that the best defence against COVID-19 is for people to stay home as much as possible, wash their hands frequently with soap and keep a two-metre distance from other people when you need to go out for essentials like food or medication. More
HERE
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Sterilized masks reusable to 10 times
The University of Manitoba clinician-scientists, as well as research partners at the National Microbiology Laboratory, have identified effective techniques that may allow N95 masks to be sterilized up to 10 times. The study was led by Dr. Anand Kumar, due to the growing concerns regarding the shortage of medical masks across the world. “Medical masks are used by health-care workers, with the N95 providing the best protection against tiny aerosol particles that carry the novel coronavirus. At the start of the pandemic, it was clear we were going to be facing dramatically heavy demands for the N95s,” said Kumar, who’s a critical care physician at the Health Sciences Centre, in a news release. Check out the CTV video and story
HERE
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Decontamination and reuse of filtering facepiece respirators
Disposable filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are not approved for routine decontamination and reuse as standard of care. However, FFR decontamination and reuse may need to be considered as a crisis capacity strategy to ensure continued availability. Based on the limited research available, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, vaporous hydrogen peroxide, and moist heat showed the most promise as potential methods to decontaminate FFRs. Click
HERE
to read a summary document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA on research about decontamination of FFRs before reuse.
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National COVID-19 Volunteer Recruitment Campaign - We need you!
The Government of Canada is working with provincial and territorial governments to respond to COVID-19. They are seeking volunteers to help in the following areas:
- Case tracking and contact tracing;
- Case data collection and reporting; and,
- Health system surge capacity.
They are building an inventory of volunteers from which provincial and territorial governments can draw as needed.
Please visit the
recruitment page
to submit your name to join in Canada’s response to COVID-19. Thank you in advance for helping to protect the health of Canadians.
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Is it time to rethink use of reusable protective gear in light of COVID-19?
With frontline health care workers clamouring for more facemasks, gloves and other protective gear, one Montreal company says reusables can help fill the gap amid looming shortages of disposable supplies.
Beyond their prac
ticality in times of pandemic, reusable gowns are also better for the bottom line (they have a lower lifecycle cost than disposables) and they’re better for the environment.
Because it takes the same amount of time to get a disposable gown and a reusable one manufactured and delivered to hospitals, reusables can go much further in treating the expected surge in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks and months.
More
HERE.
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Surface disinfection during COVID-19
The perfect disinfectant or product for health care disinfection has not been introduced; however, there is a wide array of excellent disinfectants that offer a range of characteristics. As of March 10, 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation on disinfectant products for COVID-19 is to use an Environmental Protection Agency-registered disinfectant on "
List N"
(Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2) on the EPA website that has qualified under the EPA’s emerging
viral pathogens
program for use against
SARS-CoV-2
.2-4. Learn more
HERE
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Canadian firm launches device to disinfect N95 masks
Prescientx, a Cambridge, Ontario medical startup company is taking orders for a new device that can rapidly disinfect N95 masks using ultraviolet (UV) light. The new Terminator CoV can process up to 500 masks each hour and a variety of different N95 masks can be processed.
Utilizing a conveyor system and special tray, each surface of the mask is exposed to UV light.
Learn more
HERE. Click
HERE
to watch the CTV video.
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Why isn't virus-destroying copper everywhere?
If copper were more frequently used in hospitals, where 1 in 31 people get health care-acquired infections (HAI), or in high-traffic areas, where many people touch surfaces teeming with microbial life—it could play an invaluable role in public health, said Michael Schmidt, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina, who studies copper. And yet, it is woefully absent from our public spaces, healthcare settings, and homes. “What happened is our own arrogance and our love of plastic and other materials took over,” Schmidt said of the cheaper products more frequently used. “We moved away from copper beds, copper railings, and copper door knobs to stainless steel, plastic, and aluminum.” More
HERE.
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CADTH and COVID-19 answers
If you’re looking for credible answers to your COVID-19 questions, click
HERE
.
The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH),
is an independent, not-for-profit organisation responsible for providing Canadian health care decision-makers with objective evidence, advice, and recommendations to inform their policy and practice decisions. On the site, you’ll find information related to COVID-19 from CADTH and other respected organisations. Although some of the information predates the COVID-19 pandemic, all of it is timely and relevant to this current situation.
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CSA offer no-fee access to COVID-19 response standards
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) has made a selection of relevant standards available for no-fee view access through the online platform at the following link:
The following standards are currently included:
- Z1600-17, Emergency and continuity management program
- CAN/CSA-Z94.4-18, Selection, use, and care of respirators
- CSA Z8002:19, Operation and maintenance of health care facilities
- CSA Z317.2:19, Special requirements for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in health care facilities
- Z8000-18, Canadian health care facilities
- CAN/CSA-Z1630-17, Community paramedicine: Framework for program development
- Z317.10-15, Handling of health care waste materials
- CAN/CSA-Z317.13-17, Infection control during construction, renovation, and maintenance of health care facilities
- Z317.14-17, Wayfinding for health care facilities
- Z1003.1-18, Psychological health and safety in the paramedic service organizations
- CAN/CSA-Z1003-13/BNQ 9700-803/2013 (R18), Psychological health and safety in the workplace – Prevention, promotion, and guidance to staged implementation
- SPE Z1003 Implementation Handbook, Assembling the Pieces: An Implementation Guide to the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
If you are a manufacturer or emergency service responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and require access to a standard, please contact
sales@csagroup.org
so that we can arrange for complimentary working access to the document.To purchase copies of these standards, please visit the
CSA Store
.
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Sustainable Transportation
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NEW ZEV FACT SHEETS Just Released
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Fact Sheet #1
Selecting Charging Equipment
Selecting the most appropriate zero-emissions/electric vehicle charging hardware involves considering the health care organisation’s desired features, vendor equipment specifications and operating network. Organisations have the option to fully own and operate the charging stations or out-source to a third-party owner and operator. Download our FIRST ZEV Fact Sheet developed in collaboration with
Plug'n Drive.
To learn more about electric an zero-emission vehicles and how they can play a part in your health care organisation, visit the Coalition's ZEV resources page at
www.greenhealthcare.ca/ZEV
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Plug'n Drive offers wealth of ZEV information
Plug’n Drive is a non-profit organisation committed to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in order to maximize their environmental and economic benefits. Since 2011, Plug’n Drive has established itself as a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, a trusted and unbiased source of information on electric cars, charging stations and the electricity sector. www.plugndrive.ca
Plug’n Drive would be pleased to assist your organisation navigate EV adoption with a webinar series, EV test drive event, workplace lunch’n learn or engagement opportunities at its Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre. Learn more about their new publication
Lead the Charge - email
info@plugndrive.ca
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Three LEED Gold Awards for Sick Kids
The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL) is a hub where some of the world’s best scientists and trainees congregate and share ideas to transform the current state of child health.
The building incorporates open areas, gathering spots, collaborative workspaces, state-of-the-art amenities including a 250-seat auditorium, and is a true manifestation of the interdisciplinary culture at SickKids.
With 250 labs and six neighbourhoods connected through internal staircases and interactive lounges to encourage cross-collaboration, the 21 storeys stand as a testament to SickKids values – excellence, innovation, collaboration and integrity – and its commitment to ecological health and social responsibility which led to PGCRL’s building design being sustainable and achieving three LEED® Gold Certifications: New Construction in 2015, Commercial Interior in 2017 and Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance in 2019.
Key design and operational parameters include:
- Heat island reduction roofing that reflects sunlight and mitigates heat penetration
- BAS-enhanced sequence of operations equipment that reduces steam and hydro loads based on building occupancy
- Automated lighting systems software programming schedules that reduces overall exterior lighting pollution
- Conservation of water through low-flow plumbing fixtures to reduce potable water consumption by over 30% when compared to similar buildings, and grey water recovery for water closets and urinal flushing
- Adoption of several very sustainable programs specific to research labs, such as a glass and plastic recycling program that helps to divert waste, as well as the ‘Shut the Sash’ program which helps reduce the amount of fresh air used in the laboratory
- Building amenities that promote active and sustainable transportation, such as indoor bike racks, shower stations, designated carpooling spots and electric vehicle- charging stations
Key design features that improve overall environmental impact include:
- Green cleaning policy ensures all spaces are clean for both occupants and visitors as well as vulnerable building occupants by reducing dirt and the transmission of diseases with green cleaning products that are not harmful to people’s health
- Environmentally-sensitive, low-impact building exterior and hardscape management plan to help preserve the surrounding ecological integrity
- An environmentally-sensitive management plan which aims to limit pests through environmentally friendly pest management and permanent erosion and sedimentation control
- Storm water quantity controlled to ensure there is not significant runoff to local areas that could lead to erosion of local vegetation and waterways.
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CALL for Submissions
Canadian Healthcare Facilities - Summer/Numéro d’ete
Deadline for Submissions: Friday June 5, 2020
The Summer issue of CHES's Journal, Canadian Healthcare Facilities (CHF), will once again highlight CHES member success stories related to the theme of the 2020 CHES National Conference: Enriching Patient Experiences by Optimizing the Environment. In addition, with the global COVID-19 pandemic and outbreak spreading nationwide, we are looking to include stories from CHES members about what their teams and facilities have done and continue to do to prepare for the surge of sick patients and protect existing patient populations.
If you are interested in sharing a story, you are encouraged to contact the Journal's editor, Clare Tattersall, at
claret@mediaedge.ca
with the proposed topic and a brief description (2-3 sentences) of the focus.
APPEL à comunications
Canadian Healthcare Facilities - Numéro d’ete
Date limite pour les soumissions : vendredi 5 juin 2020
L’édition estivale de la revue de la SCISS, Canadian Health Facilities (CHF), soulignera une fois de plus les succès des membres de la SCISS relatifs au thème du Congrès national 2020 de la SCISS : Optimiser l’environnement pour améliorer l’expérience-patient. Dans le cadre de la pandémie mondiale de la COVID-19 et de sa flambée sur l’ensemble du pays, nous souhaitons également inclure des récits de membres de la SCISS concernant les actions entreprises par leurs équipes et leurs établissements et mises en œuvre de manière suivie pour se préparer à l’afflux de personnes malades et protéger les populations existantes de patients.
Si partager une anecdote vous intéresse, nous vous encourageons à contacter le rédacteur en chef de la revue, Clare Tattersall, à
claret@mediaedge.ca
, pour préciser le thème proposé et décrire brièvement son idée-force en deux ou trois phrases.
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We want your ZEV success stories
If your hospital or LTC home has adopted zero-emissions vehicle technologies, we want to hear your story. Possibly even profile you and brag about your successes. Please email us at
kent@greenhealthcare.ca
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Medical waste industry braces for flood of virus-contaminated trash
If COVID-19 cases continue to spread exponentially, networks of hospitals, waste haulers and treatment centres could be overburdened by a surge of regulated medical waste — masks, gloves, booties, bed linens, cups, plates, towels, packaging and disposable medical equipment. Such a flood of medical waste, industry leaders say, could result in infections among their workers. More
HERE.
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GHS Deadline Extension...
The spread of COVID-19 has accelerated to the level of a national emergency and we know you as health care workers are doing your best to battle against the virus for the sake of us all.
THANK YOU for everything you are doing!
In an effort to try and relieve some of the pressure on your time, we are
extending the deadline
for the current Green Hospital Scorecard (GHS) program survey
until July 1, 2020.
Have you started your submission yet?
Click here
to access this year's survey, which collects information for 2018 (January – December). If your organisation has multiple sites, a separate survey is required for each site. Please coordinate with your in-house team to ensure only one survey per hospital site is submitted.
After opening and saving the survey, you will be emailed a unique link that will allow you to resume and edit your survey. Hospitals with multiple sites should open a new blank survey for every site by
re-clicking HERE
.
Educational Webinar
The Coalition hosted an educational webinar to review the GHS survey and answered questions on how to submit your data. This webinar reviewing various sections and GHS updates can be viewed
HERE
.
Deadline
Submission deadline -
EXTENDED:
July 1, 2020
.
Participation in the Green Hospital Scorecard is FREE. To help cover program delivery costs we encourage all participants to become members of the Coalition. For membership details, contact Dan at
dan@greenhealthcare.ca
.
The Coalition looks forward to sharing results from this year's GHS survey and we hope you are staying safe and supported during these times.
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A BIG
thank you to
www.SaveOnEnergy.ca
for their continued financial support for the Ontario Green Health Care Award and the Ontario Energy Behaviour Award
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Climate Change Resources
The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care has the resources you need to help your facility take action on climate change. Learn more
HERE
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following events have been CANCELLED/POSTPONED
CCGHC - Circular Economy Webinar #2 -
Postponed
CHES Ontario Confereence (May 31 - June 2, 2020 Windsor) -
Cancelled
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Circular Economy Webinars
Canada's health services sector is poised to become a major influencer in helping change our traditional linear extraction and waste-based consumer economy into a new, functional circular economy which supports the maximum extraction of value from every item before being systematically and judiciously reinvented and/or regenerated at end of life. Are you prepared to do your part?
Webinar #1
Designing out health care waste: exploring opportunities of a circular economy approach
DATE:
Wednesday April 8, 2020
TIME: 12:00 - 1:00 PM Eastern
COST: FREE
This webinar suitable for:
- C-Suite
- Finance
- Procurement/Purchasing
- Climate Change Resiliency Planners
- Sustainability Leads
- Waste Management
- Engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Radiology
- Food Service
Webinar #2
POSTPONED until further notice
The Circular Economy Imperative: How Philips is introducing new business models to benefit health care and the environment
DATE: Wednesday April 15, 2020
TIME:
COST: FREE
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We wish to thank Philips Canada for their generous support of Webinar #2 and this collaborative learning initiative.
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Electric/Zero-Emissions Vehicle Webinars
Lead the Charge - Guide to Workplace Charging
Take this webinar to learn:
- The status of the current Electric Vehicle (EV) market
- Why workplace charging is so important
- The benefits of investing in workplace charging
- Key considerations for implementation and how to assess demand and capacity
- Lessons learned through case study examination
Click
HERE
to register for April 20, 2020 1:00 pm webinar
Click
HERE
to register for April 30, 2020 11:00 am webinar
Used EV 101
Take this webinar to learn:
- The financial and environmental benefits of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
- Key considerations when purchasing an EV
- Understanding EV charging public and private
- Lessons learned through case study examination
- How Plug'n Drive's Used EV and Scrappage Program works
Click
HERE to register for Used EV101 - April 16, 2020 4:00 pm webinar
Click
HERE to register for Used EV101 - April 28, 2020 4:00 pm webinar
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CHES 2020 Awards - Call for Nominations & Grant Submissions
Deadline for Submissions: April 30, 2020
CHES is seeking nominations for the 2020 Awards. Members are reminded to nominate a deserving member or facility for one of these prestigious awards today!
Wayne McLellan
Award of Excellenc
e in Healthcare Facilities Management
CHES is also seeking booth sponsors and candidates for the 2020 Young Professionals Grant. The application forms for Sponsors and Candidates are available on the
CHES Website
.
Prix 2020 de la SCISS – Appels à mises en candidature et demandes de subvention
Date limite des soumissions : 30 avril 2020
a SCISS est à la recherche de candidatures pour ses Prix 2019. Il est rappelé aux membres qu’ils peuvent dès aujourd’hui proposer la candidature d’un membre méritant ou d’un établissement performant pour l’un de ces prix prestigieux !
Prix Hans Burgers
pour contribution exceptionnelle à l’ingénierie des services de santé
/ La SCISS est également à la recherche de commanditaires et de candidats concernant la dotation 2019 pour jeunes professionnels. Les formulaires de candidatures pour commanditaires et candidats sont mis à disposition sur le site Internet de la SCISS.
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CHES Ontario Conference
CANCELLED
Engineering Sustainable Healthcare Facilities
May31-June2, 2020
Caesars Windsor
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CHES 2020 National Conference
September 20-22, 2020
Halifax Convention Centre
Halifax, NS
Enriching Patient Experiences by Optimizing the Environment
We encourage you to submit your contract to exhibit as soon as possible to ensure space is available.
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Remember to ask about being placed in the CHES National Conference
Green Park where participating vendors have goods and services with a clear environ
mental advantage to Canada's health service sector.
See you in Halifax!
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CHES 2020 Webinar Series
Wednesday April 15, 2020
- Commissioning in a Health Care Facility
Speaker: Wayne Stokes, CET Arch, FMA, RPA.
Wednesday May 20, 2020
- An Overview of Smoke / Fire Doors and the 2015 NBC
Speaker: Ben Coles, M.Sc.E., MBA, P. Eng., PE
Wednesday June 17, 2020
- Optimizing Design with Virtual and MIxed Reality (AR/VR)
Speaker: Daniel Doherty, BTech, C.E.T., CM BIM
Wednesday October 21, 2020
- CSA Z317.13-17 Role of the Multi-Disciplinary Team - Pros and Cons
Speaker: Wayne Stokes, CET arch, FMA, RPA
Wednesday November 18, 2020 -
Awareness / Update on Med Gas Qualified Operators
Speaker: Roger Holliss
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Organ Donation - The Ultimate Recycling
Have you registered as an organ donor?
Contact your local organ donation agency and speak to your family about your wishes. You have the power to save and transform lives. Or visit the
Government of Canada
website to register and donate.
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Click
HERE
to learn how RETScreen Expert software can help your organisation quickly analyze cost savings, feasibility and emissions reductions.
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If you have inspirational greening stories or photos to share with Green Digest readers, please send them to Kent at
kent@greenhealthcare.ca
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The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care is Canada’s premier green health care resource network, leading the evolution of green in Canada’s health sector as a national voice and catalyst for environmental change.
www.greenhealthcare.ca
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Some articles referred to in the Digest make reference to services and/or product offerings from specific suppliers. The CCGHC recommends that readers research the service and product offerings available through a wider range of suppliers for comparison purposes and in keeping with public sector purchasing guidelines. These articles should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any product or service.
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