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The White House today will convene “Greening America’s Hospitals: A White House Discussion on the Healthcare Industry,” a discussion on the critical role of the healthcare supply chain in introducing innovative and environmentally sustainable design. Representatives from leading healthcare group purchasing organizations (GPOs) will participate in the forum.
As part of this important discussion, White House will highlight the link between environmental sustainability and economic profitability, from helping consumers save on energy, waste and water bills to creating a safer and healthier atmosphere through supply chain partnerships and corporate social responsibility.
“Group purchasing organizations are not only healthcare industry leaders in delivering the best, most innovative products at the best value to American hospitals, but also in zealously advocating for the adoption and utilization of global standards to ensure that safer products and services benefit patients, hospitals and the environment,” said HSCA President Curtis Rooney.
Late last year, HSCA endorsed the Practice Greenhealth “Standardized Environmental Questions for Medical Products,” which has been used to guide the identification, selection and procurement of environmentally preferable medical products. The tool is a significant part of Practice Greenhealth’s “Greening the Supply Chain™ Initiative," which the organization launched in 2011 to provide a common set of tools for purchasers, suppliers and manufacturers to ensure that environmentally preferable products (EPP) are available, cost competitive, and of comparable quality, and to generate a sector-wide shift in the direction of sound EPP practices.
“HSCA and the group purchasing industry are proud to work with Practice Greenhealth to further address critical issues of product safety and environmental sustainability in the healthcare supply chain. Our members have been committed to using the Standardized Environmental Questions tool as part of the product evaluation and procurement process, and in our industry-wide efforts to reduce our environmental footprint,” added Rooney. “Asking these important questions about environmental sustainability aligns perfectly with the HSCA mission to help educate America’s healthcare providers and enable clinicians to make informed, evidence-based decisions when sourcing and purchasing products for their patients.”
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