At Oak Valley Health, we believe caring for the community goes beyond patient care. It means leaving a positive mark on the surrounding community and doing our part to be good green citizens. We are proud to be an environmental leader in our community.
We are always looking for opportunities to make our organization more environmentally friendly. Our commitment to the environment can be seen throughout our hospitals and in a number of key departments including Facilities, Environmental Services, Procurement, Waste Management, and Sustainable Energy.
Our partnership with Markham District Energy is a great example of working with leaders in the industry to use energy more efficiently. Other green initiatives include our LED lighting project complete with scheduled timers, a new reverse osmosis system, and a state-of-the-art building automation system, all of which promote energy savings and have a positive effect on our environment.
Two staff members speak with a vendor during our annual Greening and Sustainability Expo.
Initiatives
By implementing initiatives designed to decrease our environmental impact, use energy more efficiently, reduce resource consumption, and increase recycling, we are helping to ensure a more sustainable future.
We are determined to reduce our environmental footprint even further as we continue to grow.
Our recent initiatives:
MDRD quality indicators moved from single use to the Steris reusable system
This change eliminates the use of 244,800 sheets of paper per year
Offset 39,602 lbs of paper consumption by reforesting 475 standard trees since joining the PrintReleaf Exchange
Uxbridge Hospital has moved from disposable gowns to 100 per cent reusable isolation gowns
Markham Stouffville Hospital has reduced the use of disposable gowns by 90 per cent
We are working toward moving to the exclusive use of reusable gowns
Pen and marker recycling program implemented in the Ultrasound department at Markham Stouffville Hospital
Hospital-wide program expansion is underway
OR, OPS, L&D/AMU recycling anaesthetic vials
Expansion into Markham Stouffville Hospital ICU underway
Stryker Sustainability Medical Reprocessing Program
Implement lifecycle PPE recycling in surgical areas
Expanding throughout the hospital
Centralized waste collection in office space reducing plastic bags
Earth Hour
The Great Global Cleanup
Development of a Environmental and Sustainability Committee
Annual Bike to Work Day
Annual Greening and Sustainability Expo
Greening tip segment added to corporate bi-monthly newsletter
Increased battery recycling program
Implementation and management of an in-house carpooling program
Partnership with Markham District Energy
Development of Environmental and Sustainability Policy
Extended paperless initiative to using electronic tablets for patient meal ordering
Reuse of furniture under refinishing and upholstering process
Furniture materials being free of PVC
Electronic Device Disposal Program
Thanks to the support of community partners, we hand out saplings on Earth Day to interested staff members.
Projects
Here are some of the projects we have completed.
200 amp breakers replaced in Building A
Increased reliability when switching electrical systems
Upgraded Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) in Building B
Humidification system replaced in central penthouse located in Building B
Ceiling replacement in Building A
Shutdown of Building A steam lines in summer and replacement of steam traps identified as leaking in annual steam trap audit
Comprehensive LED lighting retrofit
Conducted a study with the energy heat wheels in Building B to conserve gas consumption
Energy position hired to supplement organizational capacity
Replacement of 20 air handling units (75 per cent of total) in Building A
Automated supply temperature and SP reset, fan, and pump speed controls
Analysis of air test reports, re-balance to CSA, retrofits to allow zone control and reduce static pressure losses, adjust schedules
Installed white roofs, conducted thermographic scans, re-pointed brickwork, local draft proofing, and re-insulation
Installed and connected air conditioners, fridge and freezer compressors, and biohazardous fridge compressor to the district cooling loop, reducing water usage by 20 per cent
Upgraded recirculation controls on air handling units
Water audit and beginning of conversion from domestic water to chilled water-cooled equipment
Comprehensive LED lighting retrofit
Retrofitted heat recovery wheels and repaired bypasses in air handling units to allow reduced motor speeds
Reduced reheat by resetting supply air temperature set points
Shut down of Building A steam lines in summer and replacement of steam traps identified as leaking in annual steam trap audit
Scheduling of air handling unit operations to match occupancy periods in Building A
In April, staff members participate in The Great Global Cleanup and use this time to clean up the grounds of our hospital sites.
Awards and recognitions
Here are some of the awards and recognitions we have received.
Awarded a lifetime certificate for offsetting 39,602 lbs of paper consumption by reforesting 476 standard trees since joining the PrintReleaf Exchange
Green Hospital Scorecard (bronze)
Green Hospital Scorecard – Pollution Prevention Award – Canada-wide category (top score)
Green Hospital Scorecard – Leadership Award (honourable mention)
Green Hospital Scorecard (silver)
Green Hospital Scorecard – Water – Canada-wide category (top score)
