BALTIMORE, MD (June 6, 2006) – Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced today that four Maryland hospitals are being recognized for their environmental accomplishments by Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E). The awards ceremony was held at the Harbor Hospital Life Resource Center in Baltimore, MD.
“The growing number of hospitals participating in Hospitals for a Healthy Environment and the success stories they have to share show how the program is being embraced by the healthcare community,” said MDE Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “Hospitals across the state are improving their compliance programs, reducing liability and saving money through this unique voluntary program. We look forward to recognizing even more Maryland H2E participants and award winners next year.”
Maryland H2E is the state-level program associated with the national H2E movement for environmental sustainability in health care. The Maryland H2E sponsoring organizations include the Maryland Department of the Environment, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Maryland Nurses Association and the Maryland Hospital Association. The program is supported by funding from the Blaustein, Clayton Baker, Krieger, Strauss and Abell Foundations. The national H2E program is a non-profit organization jointly founded by the American Hospital Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Health Care Without Harm and the American Nurses Association.
Three Maryland hospitals received the 2006 Making Medicine Mercury Free Award. This award recognizes facilities that have virtually eliminated mercury from their facilities and have made a commitment to continue to be “mercury free.” Maryland has set a goal to help every hospital in the state achieve mercury-free status. There is a specific list of criteria to accomplish in order to receive the one-time award. The following Maryland hospitals received this distinction:
Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick, Maryland
Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, Maryland.
MDE Assistant Secretary Stephen Pattison pledged the department’s support of the program in his opening remarks. “By replacing at least 75% of all mercury-containing clinical devices and ensuring that no new mercury-containing products are purchased, these hospitals have successfully applied H2E's stringent management practices to qualify for this award,” said Assistant Secretary Pattison.
Three hospitals won Partner Recognition. This award goes to facilities that have met the H2E goals that they had set for their organization. The following Maryland hospitals received this distinction:
Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick, Maryland
National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, Maryland
In Maryland, 36 of the more than 70 hospitals are H2E partners. These are healthcare facilities that have pledged to eliminate mercury, reduce waste, and reduce the use of toxic chemicals. H2E currently has 1,184 Partners nationwide, representing more than 8000 healthcare facilities.
For information on participating hospitals, awards criteria, and the practical tools and resources provided by H2E to improve environmental performance, go to www.h2e-online.org
For more information on Maryland H2E, contact Richard Zdanis, Program Coordinator at 410-706-2352,
rzdan001@son.umaryland.edu or Laura Armstrong, MDE Pollution Prevention Coordinator at 410-537-4119,Laura.Armstrong@maryland.gov.
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