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Reduce Solid Waste—Meeting JCAHO Standards with Pollution Prevention

Pollution prevention (P2) activities make great performance improvement initiatives. They can help you achieve JCAHO standards included in the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals (CAMH) and meet rules, regulations and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) goals. They also promote the health of the public-keeping in line with the basic premise of health care.

When solid waste is incinerated pollutants that are potentially toxic are released into the air. When solid waste is landfilled chemicals may leach into the soil and ground water, potentially contaminating drinking and recreational waters.

Reduce solid waste by 50 percent in the organization by:
• implementing purchasing policies that reduce packaging waste
• eliminating disposable dishware
• eliminating disposable patient care devices such as emesis pans, unnecessary welcome kits, urinals, washbasins and water pitchers, to the extent possible
• reducing the use of single use devices
• reducing paper use

H2E has waste reduction plans and resources available to help.

 

  



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Achieve JCAHO CAMH Standards Meet Rules, Regulations and Goals
EC.1, EC.1.2: The organization plans for a safe environment and implements its plan.
  Reducing solid waste provides for a safe environment by lowering the risk of pests and risk to employees, patients and visitors associated with solid waste management.

EC.4: The organization improves conditions in the environment.
  Reducing solid waste improves conditions in the environment by lowering the risk of pests, risk of employee, patient and visitor exposure, and reducing pollution in the community.

GO.2: Performance improvement is financially sound.
  Reducing solid waste reduces costs associated with employee, patient and visitor exposure and solid waste management, storage, disposal and liability.

PI.1: Performance improvement is system wide.
  Reducing solid waste system-wide will improve conditions throughout the organization.

PI.1.2: Performance improvement is consistent with the organization’s mission as it relates to community health.
  Reducing solid waste improves community health by reducing pollution to the air, water and land.

P2 Act of 1990, U.S. Code (USC) Title 43 the Public Health and Welfare Chapter 133. Established P2 as a national policy and developed a hierarchy of waste management.

H2E goal: Reduce volume and toxicity of all types of waste 30 percent by 2005 and 50 percent by 2010.

 

Pollution prevention activities that make great performance improvement initiatives:

mercury | solid waste | infectious waste | chemicals and waste | hazardous waste spills and exposure | ignitable chemicals | pest management | pharmaceutical management | patient safety | environmentally preferable purchasing

JCAHO introduction page

 
 
 
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