For a good reason, our thinking has been permeated with environmentalism in many areas. A shift from the upward curve of the healthcare technology and cost’s spiral towards “greening” is needed. This begins with healthcare facilities that are environmentally sound, saving on material costs, water, and energy. Instic health has joined the crusade and made a statement among the healthcare institutions adopting better care through greener healthcare.
Anwar Khan, Instic Health’s Sustainability Analyst, and the team leader for the design of greener psychiatry clinics, reports that healthcare facilities are uniquely positioned to champion environmental sustainability as heavy users of water and energy resources. She points out that health facilities daily apply hazardous chemicals for routine practices like patient care, universal precautions, and maintaining sterile procedures. This statement aligns with a Commonwealth Fund report published in 2012 where data was aggregated to establish the environmental impact of healthcare facilities within the United States. The reports stated that 6,600 tons of waste is produced each day from hospitals, alongside massive amounts of toxic chemicals used in these facilities.
How Instic Health Realizes Environmental Sustainability
Instic Health has adopted two main approaches geared towards sustainability within their outpatient clinics.
The first step of ensuring environmental sustainability is the conservation of forests and trees. Realizing minimal forest destruction requires the adoption of practices that minimize the use of paper. Instic Health has made a significant step towards conservation of the environment through our zero paper practices. We try as much as possible to do everything digitally, having eliminated all the paperwork in clinical operations. Patient charts, prescriptions, laboratory requests, and communication within the hospital is facilitated by an advanced hospital information system, which does not only minimize the use of paper, but ensures minimal errors while serving our clients.
Medical waste, and hospital incinerators have over the years been reported as major contributors in environmental pollution. High mercury levels in various harbors have been traced to medical sources where the waste is released into the water. The healers, who are supposed to be good guys and engage in saving lives through medical interventions, have moved towards the defensive against claims of pollution. Instic Health has adopted a proactive approach through waste minimization policies where all employees are trained on the significance of sustainability, sustainable business practices, and environmental stewardship.
The Instic Health CEO had this to say regarding the institution’s clean-up efforts and movement towards sustainability:
“Green operation and practices will not only protect the environment, but also the patients, workers, and visitors within the walls of our clinics. This will ensure that we satisfy our mandate of delivering the best care and ensure mother earth will still be here and habitable for our great grandchildren”
