RESTON, VA, -- Kaiser Permanente took a huge step toward making health care healthier for patients and the environment, a leading public health advocacy organization, Health Care Without Harm, stated today in response to Kaiser Permanente's announcement that it has begun changes in its IV tubing and solution bags to ones made without chemicals suspected of causing illness in humans. Kaiser Permanente is a founding sponsor, along with Health Care Without Harm, of the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, which uses the purchasing power of hospitals, among other catalysts, to speed the development of sustainability and environmental responsibility in the entire health care sector.
"Hospitals and health care providers like Kaiser Permanente are realizing they have a dual role in protecting the nation's health," stated Gary Cohen, president of Health Care Without Harm. "They need to provide the safest possible equipment and environment when treating patients, and they also have a responsibility to help reduce and eliminate environmental exposures that contribute to illness and disease."
Environmental exposures are linked to many of the nation's chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer and diabetes. Currently, the nation spends 75 percent of its entire health care expenditures, or $1.3 trillion, to treat chronic illnesses.
Kaiser Permanente recognizes we can improve health today and for the future by taking a close look at the products we purchase," said Barry Brenner, vice president for medical sourcing at Kaiser Permanente. "With Kaiser Permanente's size and influence, we are able to move the industry to create greener products."
Research suggests that long-term exposure to DEHP, used as a plasticizer in medical devices such as IV bags and tubing, can affect the body's endocrine system, resulting in a variety of hormonal abnormalities, particularly in infants. When PVC plastic is manufactured or incinerated, dioxin pollution is created. Dioxin is a known carcinogen. These substances are currently widely used throughout the health care industry.
"Kaiser Permanente is continually working to highlight the connection between environmental health and public health, through green purchasing, sustainable energy solutions, and informing public policy," said Kathy Gerwig, Kaiser Permanente's vice president for employee safety, health and wellness, and environmental stewardship officer. "With this switch to IV materials that are free of PVC and DEHP, we are making a significant stride in protecting the health and safety of our members and our communities."
Kaiser Permanente spends more than $1 billion each year on medical products. The focus on greener products is just one aspect of Kaiser Permanente's industry-leading work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the use of harmful chemicals and promote sustainable food choices. The organization is dedicated to environmental sustainability because it has direct, positive effects on individual and community health.
Kaiser Permanente has a long history of environmental stewardship. Through its green building efforts, Kaiser Permanente saves more than $10 million per year and has eliminated the purchase and disposal of 40 tons of harmful chemicals in its facilities. For example, the organization has worked with suppliers to virtually eliminate the use of products and equipment that contain mercury, which is a neurotoxin. Last year, the organization announced it had agreed to deploy up to 15 megawatts of solar power in a deal that has placed solar panels at Kaiser Permanente facilities across California. For more information about Kaiser Permanente's environmental efforts, go to kp.org/green.
"Hospitals and health care providers like Kaiser Permanente are realizing they have a dual role in protecting the nation's health," stated Gary Cohen, president of Health Care Without Harm. "They need to provide the safest possible equipment and environment when treating patients, and they also have a responsibility to help reduce and eliminate environmental exposures that contribute to illness and disease."
Environmental exposures are linked to many of the nation's chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer and diabetes. Currently, the nation spends 75 percent of its entire health care expenditures, or $1.3 trillion, to treat chronic illnesses.
Kaiser Permanente recognizes we can improve health today and for the future by taking a close look at the products we purchase," said Barry Brenner, vice president for medical sourcing at Kaiser Permanente. "With Kaiser Permanente's size and influence, we are able to move the industry to create greener products."
Research suggests that long-term exposure to DEHP, used as a plasticizer in medical devices such as IV bags and tubing, can affect the body's endocrine system, resulting in a variety of hormonal abnormalities, particularly in infants. When PVC plastic is manufactured or incinerated, dioxin pollution is created. Dioxin is a known carcinogen. These substances are currently widely used throughout the health care industry.
"Kaiser Permanente is continually working to highlight the connection between environmental health and public health, through green purchasing, sustainable energy solutions, and informing public policy," said Kathy Gerwig, Kaiser Permanente's vice president for employee safety, health and wellness, and environmental stewardship officer. "With this switch to IV materials that are free of PVC and DEHP, we are making a significant stride in protecting the health and safety of our members and our communities."
Kaiser Permanente spends more than $1 billion each year on medical products. The focus on greener products is just one aspect of Kaiser Permanente's industry-leading work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the use of harmful chemicals and promote sustainable food choices. The organization is dedicated to environmental sustainability because it has direct, positive effects on individual and community health.
Kaiser Permanente has a long history of environmental stewardship. Through its green building efforts, Kaiser Permanente saves more than $10 million per year and has eliminated the purchase and disposal of 40 tons of harmful chemicals in its facilities. For example, the organization has worked with suppliers to virtually eliminate the use of products and equipment that contain mercury, which is a neurotoxin. Last year, the organization announced it had agreed to deploy up to 15 megawatts of solar power in a deal that has placed solar panels at Kaiser Permanente facilities across California. For more information about Kaiser Permanente's environmental efforts, go to kp.org/green.
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