Case Studies
To encourage widespread adoption of operational practices that promote health, Kaiser Permanente publicly shares its environmental success stories and lessons learned. The case studies below highlight the challenges, results, and lessons learned in the process of moving to more environmentally responsible products and practices in our hospitals and medical facilities.
Building materials and equipment
- Carpet – PVC-free, Recycled-Content, Recyclable, and Beyond
- Elevators – Energy Savings Through Regenerative Drives
- Fabrics – The Sustainable Fabric Alliance Story
- Lighting Purchasing – Longer-Lasting, Higher Quality Bulbs to Reduce Costs
- Lighting for New Construction and Remodels
- Resilient Flooring – Multiple Options, All Environmentally Superior
- Solar Powered Health Care Facilities – 15 Megawatts by 2012
- Signage – Reducing Energy and PVC Consumption
- Wall Guards – Sustainably Manufactured Wall Guard
Electronic equipment and IT solutions
- Computers – Purchasing Environmentally Responsible Computers
- Electronic Software Delivery – IT Tools Without the Fuss
- Contracts On-line – Saving Trees and Saving Money
- IT Mainframes – Upgrade IBM Mainframe Machines to Higher Efficiency
- IT Servers – Wintel Server Virtualization Success
- Televisions – Energy Efficient Televisions for Non-Patient Areas
- Electronics at End of Life – Northern California Cart-based Cardio Ultrasound Trade and Bulk Buy Success Story
Logistics
- Distribution – Smart and Efficient Distribution: Partnering with Suppliers on Joint Goals
- Fleet – Right-Sizing of Southern California Courier Fleet
- Materials Distribution – A New Route to Great Savings
Sustainable food and agriculture
- Coffee and Tea – All Sustainable in Northern California Region
- Vending Machines – Delicious, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Vending – Not An Oxymoron
Office supplies
- Office Supplies – Greening Supplies, Part One
- Recycled-Content Paper – 30 Percent Recycled-Content Paper: Getting More with Less
Medical supplies and equipment
- Chronic Dialysis Catheters – PVC-free and DEHP-free Split-Tip Chronic Dialysis Catheters
- Clinical Soaps & Lotions – Removal of Antibacterial Product from Clinical Soap and Lotions
- Defibrillator – Success Story
- Donations – Kaiser Vallejo Medical Supplies Donation Success Story
- External Defibrillators – Saving Lives Through Design and Function
- Gowns and Basin Sets, Reusables – Reducing Waste in Operating Rooms
- ID Bands – PVC/DEHP-Free
- IV Administration Sets – DEHP Minimization
- Laundry – Greening the Dirty Laundry in Northern California
- LED Surgical Lights – Success Story
- Operating Room Waste – Reducing Operating Room Waste with Sterile Wrap Recycling
- Orthopedics Packaging – Partnering with Suppliers for Change
- Pre-Filled Saline Syringe – A Small Change with Big Results
- Rigid Endoscopes – Reducing Need for Hazardous Sterilizers
- Sharps Containers – Convert from disposable to reusable
