|
Environmental Management Systems
In keeping with its mission, the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) is dedicated to
the health and safety of its patients, employees, customers, community and
environment. We are committed to the prevention of pollution and compliance with
relevant environmental regulations and other requirements. This includes making
continuous improvements and conducting annual reviews of our environmental
targets and objectives. An integral part of our commitment is communicating our
policy to DMC employees and making it available to the public.
 Our
Mission 
Our mission is to reduce the potential negative impact DMC health care
facilities may have on the environment.
Program
History
The Detroit Medical Center was one of the first healthcare systems to
take the mercury free pledge in Spring 1999. This was the DMC's first step
towards its commitment to the environment.
Since then, the DMC has implemented a recycling and waste reduction program,
both of which have been highly successful.
In December 2001, the DMC became the first healthcare system in the United
States to become ISO 14001 certified, which is the internationally
recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS). EMS assists
organizations in maintaining compliance with all environmental legislation and
regulations of local, state and federal government. These regulations include
those governing safe working conditions, hazardous waste materials, waste
disposal sites and underground storage tanks, and storage of flammable
materials, as well as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
Why We Care
Mercury elimination and waste reduction are important factors for our
environment. The following facts and statistics underline the importance of
"thinking green and thinking clean."
- Mercury
Mercury is a reproductive
toxin and a potent neurotoxin. When mercury-containing devices are thrown away
such as thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and other products, the mercury can
leach into water supplies and be released into the air via landfill gas
emissions. Experts estimate that medical and municipal waste incinerators are
responsible for 30 percent of the total mercury emissions to air.
- Waste
Hospitals produce more than two
million tons of waste each year. In the past, many medical facilities
incinerated their waste. However autoclaving such waste is a more
environmentally friendly alternative.
- Autoclaves use pressurized steam to destroy microorganisms, and are the most
dependable systems available for the decontamination of laboratory waste and the
sterilization of laboratory glassware, media, and reagents. Once autoclaved, the
waste is placed in approved landfills. The greatest benefit to autoclaving is
that it is more environmentally friendly than incineration. Emissions from
medical waste incinerators can contain organic compounds (dioxin/furan),
particulate materials, metals (lead, cadmium and mercury), acid gases (HCL and
SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOX). These pollutants, which are not found in post
autoclaved waste, can have adverse effects on public health and welfare.
Accomplishments
The Detroit Medical Center has implemented an Environmental Management System
(EMS) to monitor its environmental performance and identify areas for
improvement. EMS is a system-wide initiative involving eight hospitals and
emphasizes waste reduction and the elimination of mercury.
Waste Reduction Programs
- Before October 2001, 100 percent of DMC's medical waste was incinerated.
Today, 75-80 percent of DMC's medical waste is autoclaved, reducing the amount
that is incinerated from 100 percent to less than 30 percent.
- The DMC currently recycles aluminum, batteries, cardboard, chemicals,
fluorescent bulbs and ballasts, glass, paper, plastics, disposals supplies, and
printer and copier cartridges.
Mercury Elimination Initiatives
- Significantly reduced the use of mercury-filled blood pressure gauges and
barometers.
- Replaced mercury filled thermometers with mercury-free alternatives.
- Discontinued sending mercury-filled thermometers home with patients.
- Replaced, where possible, mercury-containing regents in the laboratory with
mercury-free alternatives.
- Collected old mercury devices to be safely recycled.
- Implemented a program to replace all fluorescent bulbs with a low mercury
alternative.
- Organized a task force to reduce the mercury use in our community schools.
Awards &
Activities
The DMC is a proven leader in its commitment to the environment and has been
nationally recognized with prestigious awards and certifications for its
proactive approach to environmental cleanup.
Awards
- Healthcare with Harm - Making Medicine Mercury Free - Spring 1999
- ISO 14001 Certification by SGS Inc. - December 2001
- Partners for Change Award by Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) -
March 2002
- Wayne County Environmental Excellence Award - August 2002
Special Events
- Mercury Clean Sweep
- Hazardous Chemical Cleanup
|
