“LEED” the Way With Green Design

March 24, 2009
Industry sources estimate that U.S. health care facilities spend approximately $5.3 billion annually for energy costs alone, and hospital administrators planning ahead for a new facility would face considerable escalation of such costs for the foreseeable future. A new whitepaper details how seeking systematic reductions in energy use by following Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, as Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) did, is one way to effectively combat rising energy costs.

The whitepaper, “LEEDing the Way With Green Design at Brigham and Women’s Hospital,” explains how BWH along with Environmental Health & Engineering (EH&E), were able to balance clinical needs with a sustainable environment plus achieve a 20 percent energy consumption reduction, all in accordance with LEED criteria.

“EH&E and BWH administrators encountered and overcame challenges including the necessity for 24/7 operation of intensive care rooms and operating rooms; the intensive energy consumption demanded throughout the facility by imaging equipment, medical equipment cooling, and conditioned spaces; issues relating to infection control, including specialized protocols for immunocompromised patients; the need for redundant energy supplies; internal demands for improved lighting and air quality; and external community concerns such as traffic and construction,” said John F. McCarthy, Sc.D., C.I.H., author of the white paper and president of EH&E.

The greatest challenge in achieving LEED goals is maintaining strict clinical requirements while meeting an aggressive construction schedule for a large, state of the art medical building. The whitepaper identifies how to meet these challenges and identifies key components to successfully completing a new sustainable and energy efficient facility.

These components include:

  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Performance metrics
  • Identification of potential opportunities
  • Implementing green initiatives
  • Project coordinating and tracking

"National evidence is beginning to suggest that patients recover more quickly in this environment," says Arthur Mombourquette, BWH’s vice president of support services. “Families and friends also will feel more comfortable while visiting patients. And employee productivity and satisfaction are likely to improve.”

Download the white paper for free

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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