Hospitals Move toward Greater Sustainability

1. Hospitals Move toward Greater
Sustainability
By Stephen Erixon

2. ● Though necessary to the viability of the nation’s
health care system, hospitals consume energy in
much higher proportion to their square footage,
according to findings by the U.S. Energy
Information Administration.

3. ● The findings, published in Becker’s Hospital
Review, showed that large hospitals of more than
200,000 square feet consume 5.5 percent of energy
used by the commercial sector.
● At the same time, these facilities represent less than
one percent of all commercial buildings in the
country.

4. ● Given these findings, hospitals around the country
are paying close attention to finding ways to
increase their sustainable practices.
● A survey of 149 hospitals found that instituting
sustainable practices helped to save $55 million over
the course of one year.
● Two big items included recycling and reprocessing
of single-use devices, which collectively saved more
than $34 million.
● Improving efficiency of electrical use saved an
additional $14 million.

5. ● About Stephen Erixon: A veteran health care
executive, Steve Erixon has nearly two decades of
experience as a senior hospital administrator.

6. ● About Stephen Erixon: A veteran health care
executive, Steve Erixon has nearly two decades of
experience as a senior hospital administrator.