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CHW Receives National Recognition for Healthy Environmental Practices

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 12:00 CDT

Catholic Healthcare West today announced that 10 of its hospitals received national honors for their healthy environmental practices from the national organization Practice Greenhealth (formerly Hospitals for a Healthy Environment - H2E). Two CHW hospitals retained status in the prestigious Environmental Leadership Circle and a third hospital was inducted into the circle for the first time.

"Catholic Healthcare West has been a pioneer in challenging hospitals to support healthy environmental practices," says Lloyd H. Dean, CHW's President/CEO. "We recognize the vital link between caring for our patients and caring for our planet. We are very proud of our hospitals' environmental achievements and their continued hard work and dedication to this cause."

2008 was the seventh consecutive year Practice Greenhealth honored CHW hospitals for their leadership and commitment to ecology.

Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, in 2008 was newly inducted into the Environmental Leadership Circle, Practice Greenhealth's highest award given annually in national recognition for outstanding environmental innovation in health care. Organizations who have won this award have integrated environmental responsibility into their practices and policies to such an extent that it has become part of the corporate culture. Inductees into the Leadership Circle demonstrate a dedication to the health of patients, workers, communities and the global environment. Former winners Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz, and St. Joseph's Medical Center, Stockton, remain in the Leadership Circle for their continued high performance in setting industry standards for waste reduction and pollution prevention.

Practice Greenhealth also honored a number of CHW hospitals for their individual efforts toward a safer, healthier environment.

Saint Mary Regional Medical Center, Reno, and Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Carmichael, received the Partner Recognition Award for facilities that are beginning their commitment to a healthy environment and are working to meet self-identified environmental goals.

St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital, Camarillo, and St. John's Regional Medical Center, Oxnard, received the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award for their efforts to meet the challenge of becoming virtually mercury-free. Recipients of this one-time award meet stringent benchmarks for mercy elimination. St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John's Regional Medical Center also were awarded the Partners for Change Award for their significant and sustainable progress toward reducing waste, preventing pollution and eliminating mercury. Recipients of this award reduce, recycle or reuse at least 10 percent of their total waste. St. Bernardine Medical Center, San Bernardino, Mercy General Hospital, Sacramento, and St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Red Bluff, also received the Partners for Change Award.

For more information on CHW's commitment to the environment, check out our website, www.chwHEALTH.org/ecology.

About Catholic Healthcare West

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) is the eighth largest hospital system in the nation and the largest not-for-profit hospital provider in the West. Founded in 1986, the CHW network of more than 9,500 physicians and approximately 53,000 employees serve a population spanning 22 million people at 41 hospitals across California, Arizona, and Nevada. CHW is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable healthcare services with special attention to the poor and underserved. In 2007, CHW provided $922 million in charity care, community benefits, and unreimbursed patient care. For more information, please visit our website at www.chwHEALTH.org.

About Practice Greenhealth

Formerly known as Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E), Practice Greenhealth is an independent not-for-profit organization focused on improving healthcare's environmental performance. The American Hospital Association, the Environmental Protection Agency, Health Care Without Harm and the American Nurses Association jointly founded Practice Greenhealth, which envisions a healthcare system committed to reduced waste volume and toxicity, efficient energy and water use, clean air, safe work practices and safe buildings. The non-profit is based in Arlington, Va.

 Contact: Tricia Griffin (415) 438-5524  

SOURCE: Catholic Healthcare West

Source: MARKET WIRE

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