MINNEAPOLIS (Aug 24, 2021) —Allina Health‘s Abbott Northwestern Hospital has been named a recipient of this year’s Environmental Excellence Awards by Practice Greenhealth. The 2021 Environmental Excellence awards recognize health care facilities across the country for maintaining and strengthening their commitment to sustainability amidst the pandemic.
The methods used to improve sustainability at Allina Health’s Abbott Northwestern Hospital included reducing water usage, switching to more sustainable containers and fabrics, and much more. One initiative that resulted in major sustainability improvements was the Desflurane (anesthesia gas) reduction project which enabled Abbott Northwestern Hospital to avoid 930 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. This avoidance equates to more than 2.3 million miles driven in an average passenger vehicle.
Allina Health hospitals are dedicated to going the Whole Way to Better sustainability in our existing and new facilities. Through the Abbott Northwestern Campus Revitalization Program, team members are ensuring best practices whenever possible in both existing facilities and new structures. Some of these methods include replacing old versions of technology with more energy efficient options, creating space for multimodal transportation, and building a solar roof. You can learn more about how Abbott Northwestern Hospital is committing to sustainability by checking out the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Campus Revitalization Program website.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized for our dedicated sustainability efforts by Practice Greenhealth,” said Tony LaCroix-Dalluhn, Vice President Facilities Management at Allina Health’s Abbott Northwestern Hospital. “By prioritizing improving the sustainability measures around our campus, we can help guarantee a better future for the next generations and create healthier environments for our neighbors, while continuing to be good stewards of our resources.”
Practice Greenhealth, is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care. The organization recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve programs to address sustainable operations, reduce and recycle waste, lower energy and water use, source more sustainable products and more.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.