Dubbed Greenhealth Exchange, the for-profit group boasts an estimated $4 billion in purchasing power, more than 50 hospitals and $21.2 billion in annual revenue. While executives have not yet disclosed contracted suppliers, the co-op’s network of suppliers will be carefully researched and vetted based on carbon emissions reduced, energy and water saved, safer chemicals used and other provider requirements.

While many GPO’s have green contracts or sections, it can be difficult to find competitively priced green products and services among the millions of non-sustainable items. For the informed buyer, Greenhealth Exchange will offer comparisons on product price, sustainability scale and benefits to the environment.

“If every vendor has their idea of what’s green, you have to sort through that. People are interested in being reliable in their environmental purchases, but don’t have the infrastructure,” said Dr. Jeff Thompson, CEO emeritus of Gundersen Health System in an interview with Modern Healthcare.

Industry health care leader Kaiser Permanente provided funds to Practice Greenhealth to explore the idea of the exchange. While they are not participating in the green co-op at this time, Kaiser is dedicated to sustainable practices and worked with Health Care Without Harm to become one of the first health care systems to phase out plastic supplies with PVCs and other toxins.

To purchase through Greenhealth Exchange’s catalog, health care systems will pay an annual fee (yet to be determined) in order to be an Associate member. For organizations wanting to be more hands-on in deciding the green requirements, they and their affiliates can become a Member by paying a one-time fee of $150,000.
 

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“Hospitals nationwide are transforming their purchasing practices to avoid toxic chemicals, buy healthier food and beverages, and become energy efficient and less wasteful,” said Gary Cohen, founder of HHI, in a statement. “This report shows that clear trends have emerged and innovative hospitals are implementing strategies to reduce costs, improve their environmental performance and support broader environmental health goals.”

More hospitals are committing to reducing diet-related diseases such as diabetes, the report states. More than 630 hospitals responded to questions related to sustainability efforts. The study found these hospitals spend more than 15 percent of their food budget on local and sustainable food, with an average of $23.7 million spent in 2013. That’s an increase of 350 percent versus the previous year.

More hospitals report that they are also not buying as much sugar-sweetened beverages. All told, nearly $42 million was spent on healthy beverages, which made up 77 percent of total spending.

What’s more, the percentage of hospitals purchasing PVC/DEHP-free products went up by 60 percent. Hospitals are also demanding that upholstered furniture not contain toxic flame retardants or other unsafe chemicals. Almost $700,000 was spent on compound-free furnishings in 2013.

One of the most significant efforts toward sustainability was reprocessing medical devices. When these devices were reused, the hospitals saved more than $45 million, a 33 percent increase over 2012.

“This report shows that we have made significant progress, but our work is not done,” said John Messervy, AIA, chair of the Healthier Hospitals Initiative and director of capital and facility planning for Partners HealthCare, in a statement. “As we move into the third year of the initiative, we will continue encouraging hospitals to purchase more environmentally preferable supplies, serve healthier foods, use less energy and reduce waste.”

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