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What are H2E State Partnerships?
The State Partnership Program creates state-level networks comprised of health care facilities and a wide range of other organizations that support the development and implementation of comprehensive environmental programs in the health care sector. State partnerships help hospitals get the information, resources and technical assistance they need to realistically implement new and improved environmental programs. Below are more great reasons to consider setting up a state program.
State programs can assist hospitals in getting the information, resources and technical assistance necessary to realistically implement new and improved environmental programs. Below are more great reasons to consider setting up a state H2E program.
Overcome Barriers to Implementation
Increased staff turnover, a growing list of responsibilities and shrinking budgets can all be barriers to the meaningful implementation of environmental and pollution prevention (P2) programs. State networks create a forum that can help identify barriers (regulatory, financial or perceived), and help stretch limited resources to overcome them.
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Don’t “Reinvent the Wheel”
Why spend countless hours researching a new program, investigating vendors and evaluating costs only to find that your peer at a neighboring hospital has just done the same piece of work and would have gladly shared his/her insights? State partnerships provide a forum for hospitals to share strategies, vendor information and program successes. State programs also can provide insight and recommendations to state hospital associations and regulatory agencies on environmental and regulatory issues.
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Identify Opportunities for Collaboration
State partnerships bring together a diverse set of players who can strategically share resources, set goals, and highlight opportunities for collaboration that might not be identified if a health care facility is tackling an issue alone. Recycling programs, joint contracting for waste/recycling, backhauling, and exploring opportunities for improved regional/state medical waste treatment options are just a few examples of successful collaborations that can happen through a State partnership.
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Measure Progress
It is difficult to know what progress has been made if you don’t know where you’re starting from. Environmental and waste data can measure not only environmental improvements (pounds of waste reduced, pounds of mercury eliminated, etc), but can also account for cost-savings. Health care facilities across the country have found that tracking waste data has assisted in identifying operational inefficiencies and prioritizing cost-savings opportunities. State agencies, hospital associations and health care systems also have a vested interest in knowing how hospital operations and waste management programs compare to others in the state and nationally. State partnerships provide the guidance, training and tools to implement a comprehensive data management program.
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Earn Recognition
Awards programs and positive publicity provide a huge incentive, and an opportunity for health care facilities to tell their communities how their facility is going the extra mile to protect patient, worker and community health. Practice Greenhealth works to integrate its national awards program with state-level recognition programs, thereby providing local AND national recognition.
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It's Easy
More than 30 states across the U.S. provide some level of support for healthcare facilities at the state level. Find out how to develop a State H2E program and help health care facilities improve environmental performance!
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