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“They are the best of the best, the recipients of our top award. Gundersen Lutheran has introduced extensive environmental strategies into healthcare and is committed to achieving further improvements.”
Practice Greenhealth, April 2011
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Read article.
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Gundersen Health System's environmental program, Envision
®, is a model for healthcare providers nationwide. We are developing a portfolio of innovative "green" energy projects designed to lower costs and lead the industry in environmental stewardship.
Healthcare systems nationwide are looking for innovative ways to save on energy costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the nation’s 8,000 hospitals are among the most energy-intensive commercial buildings with more than 2.5 times the energy intensity and carbon dioxide emissions of commercial office buildings. With U.S. hospitals spending more than $5 billion on energy costs annually, finding solutions to rising energy costs has become critically important.
Gundersen is proving there are sustainable approaches to energy utilization that go hand-in-hand with solid financial business decisions. Our specific sustainability plans turn good intentions and “green” theory into action.
Gundersen is developing our own energy infrastructure, using equipment owned by the health system, instead of purchasing renewable power at premium rates. This is a demonstration of our commitment to lowering the cost of healthcare for the people and businesses that pay for it.
The rising cost of healthcare dominates the national agenda. Gundersen believes part of the answer lies in finding solutions to our rapidly rising energy costs. When we reduce energy and waste management costs, we save money for our patients and preserve the valuable resources of our community. At Gundersen, our promise is to deliver exceptional care in an environmentally and economically sustainable system.
Building an Environmental Mindset
Business decisions at Gundersen are consistently made with the environment in mind, from a fleet of hybrid cars to the selection of energy efficient medical equipment and replacement of inefficient equipment with energy-saving models.
The key elements in the health system's multi-faceted approach to environmental stewardship include:
- Energy
- Waste management and control
- Recycling
- Sustainable design
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Estimated Implementation Date
Through our Envision program, Gundersen Health System is implementing a number of projects to meet 100 percent of our energy needs for our facilities by 2014. The projects will create renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. The environmental plan will evolve and change as we learn more about the technologies that are available.
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