California Hospital Medical Center Honored for Environmental Sustainability by Practice Greenhealth

Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center received three awards from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care.

The first honor, the Greenhealth Emerald Award, is one of the Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor environmental achievements in the health care sector. The award will be presented at the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards Gala, set for May 9th in San Diego at the conclusion of the CleanMed Conference & Exhibition.

The Greenhealth Emerald Award recognizes health care facilities that are setting the standard in eliminating mercury, reducing and recycling waste, sustainable sourcing, and other areas. Winning hospitals have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and shown leadership in the local community and in the health care sector.

The second accolade, the Greening the OR Recognition Award, goes to those health care facilities that have made substantial progress in reducing the impact of the surgical environment. The third recognition, the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Circles of Excellence Award, is bestowed on hospitals for outstanding performance in one specific area of expertise. Only ten hospitals in the U.S. receive this award. California Hospital Medical Center has received a strong Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program to address chemicals of concern, packaging, and sustainable sourcing.

In 2017, the hospital doubled its recycling poundage, diverting more than 440 tons of trash from the landfill. We have a strong re-processing and reuse program in our Surgery Department. We reduced our water usage in 2018 by 7.8 percent.  We also have some strong environmental outreach programs for our community that address food desserts in the inner city and provide a place for Ewaste drop off at our hospital events. Our attention to chemicals of concern reduces indoor air pollution and makes our hospital a healthier place for patients to recover.   

“Helping to create a sustainable and healthy future for children and patients is a part of who we are. 

The ecology programs at California Hospital Medical Center are focused on care of the environment as an integral part of the care of our patients and community. The hospital’s robust recycling program touches every part of our waste streams, whether it’s recycle, reuse or reduce. That’s just part of a bigger program that addresses whole hospital sustainability. We want to be part of the wellness journey that our patients are on, beyond our front doors.” said Kim Ray, co-chair Environmental Action Committee.

Dignity Health has been focused on sustainability for more than 20 years and is recognized for its efforts to reduce waste and implement pollution prevention programs. In 2005, Dignity Health became the first health care organization of its size to use IV bags, solutions, and tubing that are free of PVC and DEHP. The health system has pledged to increase its use of renewable energy to 35 percent and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2020 – a goal that the organization is already on track to surpass. In its legislative advocacy efforts, Dignity Health helped influence the passage of SB 350 in California, a landmark bill that will increase both the state’s renewable energy use and energy efficiency in buildings by 50 percent. 

About Dignity Health California Hospital Medical Center

Founded in 1887, Dignity Health California Hospital Medical Center is a 318-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in downtown Los Angeles. The hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II trauma center, the Los Angeles Center for Women’s Health, obstetrics and pediatric services, and comprehensive cardiac and surgical services. The hospital shares a legacy of humankindness with Dignity Health, one of the nation’s five largest health care systems.