Many of us are aware how hospitals can impact the environment. Waste and energy consumption are daily occurrences in order to provide care to patients. But how are we making positive differences that not only help the environment but also provide better patient care?

Today, we answer a question about our plans for designing and operating greener and healthier facilities.

Today’s answered question

Q. Are any plans in the works for what Robin is talking about in this video: TEDMED 2014: Robin Guenther talks restorative design in health care? I sure hope so!!!! Can’t just be all about old ways; changes have to be made!!!

A. Thank you for sharing this video. We agree that green initiatives support better health care and prevention of illness. Since 2007, Vancouver Coastal Health has been in partnership with Green Care to create more sustainable practices in the design and daily operations of all buildings throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Similar to what Robin Guenther describes in her presentation, we focus on Regenerative Design, when constructing buildings, systems and infrastructure to positively impact health and wellbeing. For instance, when designing the new Joseph and Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre (JRSFHC), scheduled to open in 2017, architects included large windows, outdoor terraces and wood grain features to provide more soothing, natural experiences for better patient care. Not only are these features healing to patients but they also follow stringent environmental standards of practice.

Another building, The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, recently won an award for its use of patient-centered and environmentally safe and sustainable design, and it is expected to reduce energy consumption by 50 to 60 per cent from standard design practices.

In addition, VCH’s food provider, Sodexo, is leading the way in environmental food and waste practices by working to decrease food waste to just 10 per cent output, and they are sourcing fresh, local food for patients and clients.  For instance, residents at Purdy Pavilion eat vegetables and fruit picked straight from their UBC campus backyard. Sodexo partnered with UBC Farms in order to offer a wide variety of nutritious meals that are locally grown.

We encourage you to view the www.bcgreencare.ca website in order to learn of other green programs and initiatives that VCH is involved in. We also encourage you to read more about our Green Leaders. It is a program that recruits staff to act as sustainability role models and inspire behaviour change among our colleagues. There are currently 250 people in the program, and I know they are looking to recruit more volunteers to help spread awareness.

While it’s true we must continue to strive towards cleaner, greener initiatives that also support better patient care, we’re heartened that we’re headed in the right direction.

What’s on your mind?

If you have a question, comment or suggestion, we encourage you to email us what’s on your mind at onevancouver@vch.ca