According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as cited in a recent Building Forward article, 169 million tons of building construction and demolition waste was generated in 2015 (the latest period for which data is available.)  Only 38% of this debris was recovered for recycling.  This is a big number and one that many are looking to improve.  CME has been working on decreasing the amount of waste generated at a construction site for years.  Not only is it important from a green perspective but decreasing waste at a construction site also helps the healthcare facility streamline activities at the site and ultimately facilitates on-time construction schedules.  All of these factors are extremely important to healthcare facilities.  CME has focused on three specific areas to help decrease waste at healthcare construction sites.

What’s the difference between a purpose-built pharmaceutical-grade refrigerator and a common dorm or household refrigerator picked up at the local big box store? The CDC gives very clear guidance in their Vaccine Storage and Handling Tool Kit¹ that these style units are never acceptable.

Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, more health care facilities have embraced value-
based health care. The focus on cutting costs, increasing patient satisfaction, improving medical outcomes and reducing re-admittance rates has revolutionized the industry, and has facilities focused on quality care and the patient. Many hospitals, clinics and outpatient facilities are taking on renovation projects, repurposing existing spaces and replacing outdated equipment to accommodate this new value-based health care model.