Indian Hospitals Need to Move Towards Energy Efficient Green Hospital Concept

Green Hospital Building refers to both a structure and the using of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout building's life cycle.

A Green Building emphasis upon judicious use of its resources (water, power) and create less waste, and has efficient solid and water waste management treatment. Green building which can also be called energy efficient building is the one which  can reduce energy consumption by at least 40% as per few studies as compared to conventional buildings.

There is a empirical evidence linking the physical environment with patient, family and  staff leading to improved patient safety, improved clinical and psycho social outcomes, patient satisfaction, and increased staff effectiveness in providing care, staff satisfaction and improvements in staff health.

The Advantage of Green Hospitals:

• Reduce patient recovery time

• Low energy consumption

• Low water consumption

• Increase health and well being of patients as well as employees

• Improve better indoor air quality

• Best waste management and recycling of materials

  

Green Hospital Concept:

This concept will play an important part in the curative process in time to come. Instead of being referred to as a place that houses healthcare amenities, hospitals of tomorrow will now focus on wellness and be transformed into welcoming spaces to get well.

The following are suggestive measures to be adopted by organisation to move towards energy efficient Green Hospital Concept: 

• Efficient usage periphery area & terrace of organisation by creation of landscape gardening including planting suitable boundary, roadside & ornamental trees.

• The arriving at right water balance chart for both intake & reuse for newly constructed hospital using NBC (National Building Code) guidelines.

• The due consideration is to be given towards high energy efficient equipment (including medical equipment) during purchase of equipment.

• Step towards energy efficiency can be achieved by providing of more natural lights inside the organisation including patient care area, usage of low power consumption lights, solar photo voltaic energy, usage of alternate energy source like wind energy. the dynamic harmonic filtration with power factor improvement system can considered as part of design. the installation of electrical energy meters across various locations and possible integration to building management system with energy meters is suggested.

• Water efficiency includes rain water harvesting, rain water recharge pits, high efficiency faucets, sterilisation of aerators used for water conversations once in six months, sewage treatment & re usage of waste water, usage of solar plant towards generation of 20 % of hot water generation, usage of water level controllers in pumping systems, variable frequency drives usage. the installation of water meter across hospital and provision of water consumption monitoring is another suggested measured.

• Creation of building envelop for air reduction leakage & infiltration of air may cause bad air quality, energy efficiency in HVAC, lighting, electrical power and water heating. Areas under central air conditioning can be planned with individual controls using variable Air Volume system. All air handling units are planned with VFD's (Variable Frequency Drives) for fan speed modulations.

• Minimum fresh air for all air conditioning area conditioning as per national or international guidelines like ASHRAE, Less usage of VOC (Volatille organic compounds) based paints / carpets to avoid bad environment quality quality, continuous ventilation around 36 hours (minimum of 12 hours) of all area before occupancy so that foul air of construction material can be flushed out.

• The provision of ventilation ducts, exhaust hoods compliance of statutory & manufacturers guidelines.

• The organisation having defined criteria, process and protocols for selection of cleaning products, mops and wipers like on hazardous cleaning agents, environmental pollutants reduction, protection of the cleaning worker.

• The organisation having protocol for receiving, handling, storing and safe disposal of all kinds of waste including recyclables, hazardous, bio medical and e-waste. the organisation complies all bio medical waste management rule and ensures biological waste is disposed as recommended by national regulations.

• The organisation to have procurement plan include purchase of environment friendly materials which can be reused or recycled as per manufacturer's  recommendations. the organisation having purchase policy that reduces / avoids purchase of mercury containing equipment. the organisation having sustainable food purchasing policies and plan that support human and ecological health.

• The following strategy can be considered by organisation for optimisation of energy saving & usage:  

1. Schedule of HVAC based on the requirement  preferably using building management system.
2. Schedule for switching on & off of lights.
3. Schedule of operation of exhaust fan.
4. Flow restriction of water taps & showers.
5. Sensor based urinal flushing.
6. Operational control on hot water generation, chillers, lifts etc.
7. Monthly audit of power & water consumption.

• The organisation to have indicators for measuring the waste generation as per the category ( Hazardous, Recyclable, Bio Medical, E waste etc.) through waste audit.

List of green hospitals in India:

1. Kohinoor City Hospital, Mumbai
2. Max Balaji Hospital, Delhi
3. ESI Hospital, Bangalore
4. Fortis Hospital, Delhi
5. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College & Hospital, Salem
6. Asian Health Care, Mumbai
7. Matushri Monghiben Ramji Savla Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai
8. Medica Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad
9. Lazarus Hospitals Ltd, Hyderabad
10. Aster Medicity Hospital, Kochi
11. Max Hospital, Mohali

Written by:

Dr. Praveen Bajpai

Director of Ingenious Healthcare Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Founder of Skill Sathi

MBA in Hospital administration, PG Diploma in Quality Accreditation, PG Diploma in Medico Legal System, M. Phil in Hospital Mgmt. from BITS Pilani, P.hD in Management, Certified NABH Auditor, Certified NABL Auditor, Certified Auditor for Clinical Audits, Green Belt in Six Sigma, Certified in Hospital Infection Control Practices, Certified trainer for International Patient Safety Goals, Certified Auditor for JCI 7th Edition Standards 

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