The Green Digest
A Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care Initiative
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The Green Digest gratefully acknowledges project
support from ENERGY STAR ® Canada.

January 13, 2020
Welcome to 2020
Green Hospital Scorecard
RESULTS
West Park Healthcare Centre wins Non-Acute Green Hospital of the Year Award
As the winner of the Green Hospital of the Year for Non-Acute sites, West Park Healthcare Centre is committed to adhering to the ‘3 R’s Hierarchy’ to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle whenever possible. Through an extensive integrated diversion program, the Centre aims to divert a minimum of 40% of its total generated waste each month from landfills in efforts to preserve natural resources and protect the environment.
Energy Behaviour Awarded to London Health Sciences Centre
During a recent award ceremony hosted by the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) was awarded the first ever Energy Behaviour Award. This award, sponsored by save ON energy, was presented to LHSC for their understanding and commitment to improving energy use and conservation by altering daily behaviour. Through a team of "Energy Champions," between their two sites, LHSC implemented an iterative process of energy management. This process involved identifying needs within the organisation and engaging with the Energy Champions to implement various projects related to energy management
Highest Overall Scores - Green Hospital of the Year Awards
Michael Garron Hospital (Community)
University Health Network - Toronto Rehab (Academic)
West Park Healthcare Centre (Non-Acute)
Kemptville District Hospital (Small)

Highest Energy Scores - Energy Awards - Sponsored by SaveONenergy
Hamilton Health Services- St. Peter's Hospital (Community)
University Health Network - Princess Margaret (Academic)
St. Joseph's Health Care, London - Parkwood RMHC (Non-Acute)
Kemptville District Hospital (Small)

Highest Water Scores - Water Awards - Sponsored by the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES)
The Ottawa Hospital - General Hospital (Community)
St. Michael's Hospital - Main Building, Bond Street (Academic)
St. Joseph's Health Care, London - Parkwood RMHC (Non-Acute)
Four Counties Health Services (Small)

Highest Waste Scores - Waste Awards - Sponsored by the Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO)
Northumberland Hills Hospital (Community)
Trillium Health Partners - Queensway Health Centre (Academic)
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Non-Acute)
Kemptville District Hospital (Small)

Energy Behaviour Award - Sponsored by SaveONenergy
London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital 

Click here , to download the full media release.
Procurement
Strategic Procurement in Europe Health Care
The health services sector has significant purchasing power, which can be leveraged to drive policies and markets towards more ethically produced, healthy, and sustainable products and services. In the European Union, health care accounts for approximately 50% of public spending i- 14% of annual EU GDP in total; health care procurement, therefore, presents a strategic opportunity to promote sustainability. How can your purchasing decisions influence a more sustainable health system here in Canada? Read more HERE.
Greening the OR
Hospitals Could Ban commonly Used Anaesthetic for More Eco-friendly Version
Hospitals could ban a commonly used anaesthetic gas for a more eco-friendly version as the UK's National Health Service looks to cut its carbon footprint. Doctors are calling for the desflurane – one of the most commonly used gases to put patients asleep – to stop, because it is nearly 4,000 times more harmful for global warming than carbon dioxide. Gas and air – nitrous oxide used frequently to give pain relief for women giving birth – is also under the spotlight for its damage to the environment, but hospitals are reluctant to phase it out because it is so safe to use and can be given by midwives without a doctor present. Read more HERE.
Green Leadership
Dryden Regional Health Centre Receives 2019 Great Employer Healthy Workplace Award 
The award, made by Excellence Canada and Canada Life, recognizes organisations for their planning and actions to foster physically and psychologically safe and healthy workplaces, and striving for continuous improvement across four main areas of focus including healthy lifestyles, mental health and workplace culture, physical environment and corporate social responsibility. Judi Green, Chair of the Board of Directors at the Dryden Regional Health Centre states, “We are very proud of the organisation’s commitment to its staff. This is a well-deserved achievement.” More HERE.
Sustainable Food
Ode to the Hospital Tray!
Take a close look. You may see a hospital tray... but we see a platform. Nourish believes that food is fundamental to patient, community and planetary health and wellbeing. Check the video HERE then join the movement: www.nourishhealthcare.ca
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New York Makes Plant-Based Meals the Law
Nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers have diabetes and heart disease accounts for 40 percent of all deaths in New York State, according to the New York State Department of Health. Research shows that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans can help fight heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Recently, Gov. Andrew Cuomo put New York on the forefront of a growing movement to ensure hospitals provide patients with healthy, plant-based meals to fight heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Learn more about this initiative and what the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine's Susan Levin M.D. had to say HERE.
Circular Economy in Health Care - FOOD
It has been a busy year for the MECAHF project as they continued to develop and support a model of circular economy of food with project partner the Hospital of Niort. In 2019 the hospital has been analysing how food waste is produced and examining how they can change the procurement process to move towards local and organic food procurement. At the beginning of 2019, the Hospital of Niort designed a patient survey to assess hospital food services and how food waste is generated. Distributed across five different departments, the survey results indicated that whilst the quality of food is good, some improvements are needed to prevent food waste such as providing different portion sizes, allowing the reuse of unopened leftovers, or offering pre-cut fruit. Read more HERE.
Health Care Food Trends in 2019
From serving plant-forward menus to growing gardens, more and more hospitals are supporting healthy food choices, bolstering greater food access, and elevating the connection between dietary patterns and health – for people and the planet. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, The Valley Hospital in New Jersey, and Seattle Children’s Hospital in Washington illustrate trends seen across the Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth network. More HERE .
Sustainable Buildings
Code Recognition Urged for Rainwater Harvesting
Proposed changes to the National Plumbing Code could ease the process and cost of installing rainwater harvesting systems in most types of building occupancies, but would prohibit non-potable water supply to toilets and urinals in health care facilities. The measures address silences in the current code and are part of an expansive package of proposed changes that the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) released for public review earlier this fall. Will this iimpact initiatives at your health care facility? The CCBFC will be accepting comments on all proposed code changes until December 23, 2019. More HERE.
MUHC Celebrates Second LEED Gold Building
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the McGill Healthcare Infrastructure Group (MHIG) are celebrating a second LEED Gold certification, a first in Quebec. The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) awarded the LEED Gold for Existing Building (EB) certification to the new MUHC Glen site, which opened in 2015 in Montreal. The site previously obtained a LEED Gold for New Construction (NC) certification in February 2016. “The CaGBC congratulates McGill University Health Centre on this achievement, made even more impressive given how complex and significant the energy, ventilation and patient care requirements are for a 24-hour medical care centre,” said Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of the CaGBC and GBCI Canada. Learn more HERE .
Biodiversity
The World is Gray without Biodiversity
Biodiversity is essential for human survival. It provides us with the basics for life. 1 million species face extinction and many are disappearing 1,000 to 10,000 times their natural extinction rate. But there are many things we can do to help. Even small acts can have a ripple effect. The world is grey without biodiversity. Together, let’s conserve the colours in our world. Watch video HERE.
Climate Change
Another NHS trust declares climate energency
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has declared an environmental emergency by recognising climate change as one of the biggest threats to public health. It follows Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which was the first UK trust to announce a climate emergency this summer. Since then, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust have all declared emergencies. Learn more HERE.
Climate Change Resources
The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care has the resources you need to help your facility take action on climate change.
Green Hospital Scorecard
The Green Hospital Scorecard (GHS) is the only comprehensive health care benchmarking tool in Canada measuring energy conservation, water conservation, waste management and recycling, corporate commitment and pollution prevention. Participating hospitals report on their environmental and sustainability initiatives through a questionnaire and receive a Green Hospital Scorecard summarizing their environmental performance relative to their peers.

The Coalition is currently receiving data for the Green Hospital Scorecard. Register for the free educational webinar (February 20th, 12:00 PM (EST) here . Learn how the Scorecard can help you improve your organisation's ecological footprint. If your hospital site is interested in participating, email Dan Ritchie at dan@greenhealthcare.ca
Publication: Health Care's Climate Footprint
Health Care Without Harm has recently made available a new publication from their Climate-Smart Health Care Series available HERE. Get this free download and learn how the health sector contributes to the global climate crisis and what opportunities are available to you to take action.
Resiliency Toolkit
The Health Care Facility Climate Change Resiliency Toolkit was developed to help health care facilities become more resilient to climate-related risks. Co-developed with support from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Health Canada the Toolkit includes a checklist with questions in many areas, such as: emergency management, facilities management, health care services and supply chain management. Completion of the assessment checklists by officials with knowledge and experience in these areas will increase awareness and inform resiliency activities. Download HERE .
Climate Change Resiliency Profiles
The Coalition's case studies showcase the resiliency efforts and disaster responses of some leading health care facilities from across Canada and the U.S. Click HERE to download your free copies and share them with your Green Team members and fellow resiliency advocates.
OTHER Coalition climate change resources also available HERE.
GHG+H2O
Health care facilities are major producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and are often the most intensive users of water (H2O) in their communities. In spite of this, many organisations do not rigorously monitor or limit their GHG emissions or water use, and many health care professionals are not aware of the environmental impact their work can have.
To improve awareness of these challenges and encourage adoption of better environmental practices, the GHG+H2O Green Facility Toolkit provides health care organisations with a specialised package of educational materials, awareness tools, and technical resources including practical recommendations and in-depth information from a wide range of sources, reviewed and presented by facility operations experts from leading Canadian health care organisations. Details HERE.
Join the Coalition's Q&A ListServ
The Coalition is pleased to offer an online Question and Answer ListServ giving you access to some of the most brilliant and engaged green health care practitioners in Canada. Have a question about greening your health care organisation? Join by sending an email to: ccghc-listserv+subscribe@googlegroups.com or Email kent@greenhealthcare.ca to be added or share a question.
Do you tweet? We do.
Please join us in the wonderful world of Twitter as we share the latest in Coalition news and initiatives. Find us at @CCGHC
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Adaptation Canada 2020 Conference
Raising our Game on Resilience (Call-to-Action)
Vancouver - February 19-21, 2020
Why Adaptation Canada 2020? No part of our lives as Canadians – and no part of our social structure, economy or environment – is immune to the impacts of climate change. Adaptation Canada 2020 is Canada’s national adaptation conference and there are so many reasons to attend. The Coalition will be participating in the Poster Session with fellow green and resilient champions Angie Woo (LMHO) and Edward Rubinstein (UHN) with the poster entitled "Measure What You Manage: Climate Impacts and Resilience on Health Facilities." Plan to attend. Learn more HERE.
CCHL National Awards Program
Recognize and promote your outstanding leaders and programs
Coalition supporters might consider applying for the Energy and Environmental Stewardship Award and give your organisation national profile for its accomplishments.

This award recognizes a progressive health care organisation that has implemented organisation-wide initiatives demonstrating environmental responsibility through the reduction of energy usage, the preservation of natural resources and effective waste diversion solutions. Possible initiatives include: implementation of energy efficient building systems and solutions, comprehensive energy and environmental awareness programs, waste management initiatives, and green procurement practices.
Nominations must be submitted by February 1, 2020. Visit HERE to learn about all CCHL Awards.
CALL for Submissions - Canadian Healthcare Facilities
The Spring 2020 issue of CHES's Journal, Canadian Healthcare Facilities (CHF), is currently seeking article submissions related to the following topics: Innovation/Technology, Infection Prevention and Control, and Health and Safety. / Le numéro de printemps du journal de la SCISS, Canadian Healthcare Facilities (CHF), prévu pour le début de l’année 2020 est actuellement à la recherche, pour soumission, d’articles relatifs aux thèmes suivants : Innovation/Technologie, Prévention et contrôle des infections, et Santé et Sécurité..

If you are interested in submitting an article, please contact the Journal's Editor, Clare Tattersall, at claret@mediaedge.ca with the proposed topic. The final deadline for all pre-approved article submissions is Friday, January 31, 2020 . / Si vous souhaitez soumettre un article, veuillez contacter la rédactrice en chef de la revue, Clare Tattersall, à claret@me_diae_dge.ca au sujet de l’article que vous proposez. La date limite pour la soumission de tous les articles préapprouvés est le vendredi 31 janvier 2020 .
CHES 2020 National Conference
September 20-22, 2020 - Halifax
"Enriching Patient Experiences by Optimizing the Environment". / "Optimiser l'environnement pour améliorer l'expérience patient"

The 2020 National Conference will be held at the Halifax Convention Centre, in Halifax NS, September 20-22, 2020. / Le congrès national 2020 se déroulera au Centre des congrès d'Halifax (N.-É.)

CHES 2020 Webinar Series

Online Registration is open for the 2020 Webinar Series.  
The 2020 CHES Webinar Dates and Topics are listed below.  
Wednesday January 22, 2020 - The Impact of Incident Energy as Switching Devices Age Speakers:  Verma Vikrant, P. Eng.; Virginia Balitski, CET, NETA, Level IV 
Wednesday February 19, 2020 - Move Your RFP From a Grade C to an A+ and Five Things You Can Do Today! Speaker: Jake Smithwick, PhD, MPA
Wednesday March 25, 2020 - Isolation Room Design
Speakers:  Jessica Fullerton, B. Sc. M. Sc., CIC; Nick Stark, P. Eng., CED, LEED AP, ICD.D
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

Visit the website for more details as they become available or to register!    

The Green Digest was brought to you by ENERGY STAR ® Canada.

If you have inspirational greening stories or photos to share with Green Digest readers, please send them to Kent at kent@greenhealthcare.ca
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  
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.