Greening Your Practice

Respectful Environments, Environmental Respect: Taking Responsibility for the Impact of Our Work Practices

By Janet Brown - Vol. 3, No. 3. , 2002

Respect for the environment begins with respect for our workspaces and our colleagues. In today’s high-pressure, cost-conscious health care environment, it can be very difficult to maintain a healthy, safe and nurturing workspace. But a little effort goes a long way in terms of staff morale and patient satisfaction.

Keeping It Clean: A Guide to Disinfecting Reusable Medical Equipment

By Janet Brown - Vol. 3, No. 2. , 2002

Glutaraldehyde and other chemical disinfectants widely used for cleaning medical equipment are toxic, and need to be used very carefully. A guide to reducing the risks associated with common medical disinfectants.

Patients’ Home Medical Waste May Be Your Responsibility

By Janet Brown - Vol. 3, No. 1. , 2002

The number of chronic disease patients who must treat themselves at home is rising rapidly, meaning that there are more needles, syringes, and blood and body fluid contaminants and other medical waste in ordinary household garbage.

Handling OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standards

By Janet Brown | - Vol. 2, No. 3. , 2001

If a chemical has a warning label on it, you need to be very careful about how it is used and disposed of, especially in health care clinics, where solvents, cleaning products, mercury containing substances, and a host of toxic chemicals are used routinely. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has guidelines for handling most of the chemicals used in health care settings.

Get a Grip on Tech Trash

By Janet Brown - Vol. 2, No. 2. , 2001

The rapid evolution of computer and communication technology has created a glut of tech trash. Janet Brown offers tips on what to do with those old computers, cell phones, and other outmoded electronic paperweights.

One Stop on the Toxic Voyage

By Janet Brown - Vol. 2, No. 1. , 2001

Medical practitioners seldom consider where the materials they use in daily practice come from or where they go once discarded. But it is important to realize that many disposable medical devices contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which gives off dioxin when produced and when incinerated. Likewise, mercury in devices like thermometers easily ends up as an environmental toxin. Tips on reducing PVC and mercury in the medical waste stream.

Non-Regulated Medical Waste: Getting the Most from Your Waste Hauler

By Janet Brown - Vol. 1, No. 2. , 2000

Physicians and medical clinics can save a lot of money and reduce their negative environmental impact by negotiating more carefully with their waste haulers.

Welcome to Greening Your Practice

By Janet Brown - Vol. 1, No. 1. , 2000

In aggregate, the nation’s hospitals generate roughly 6,600 tons of garbage each day. Add to that, the trash from hundreds of thousands of individual physician practices, and you have a major waste management challenge. Janet Brown, Medical Waste Manager for New York City’s Beth Israel Medical Center shares tips that will help cut waste and save money.

Treating Head Lice Without Toxins

By Janet Brown - Vol. 5, No. 3. , 2004

For many families, back-to-school season means confrontations with pesky head lice. Unfortunately, many of the products commonly used to rid children of lice contain lindane or other highly toxic pesticides. A look at less-toxic alternatives.

Making Medicine Mercury-Free: Major Steps Forward

By Janet Brown - Vol. 6, No. 4. , 2005

Working with hospitals and clinics throughout the country, Hospitals for a Healthy Environment has made major progress in reducing the level of mercury pollution coming from the health care industry.

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Holistic Primary Care

News For Health & Healing^®

Greening Your Practice

Respectful Environments, Environmental Respect: Taking Responsibility for the Impact of Our Work Practices

Keeping It Clean: A Guide to Disinfecting Reusable Medical Equipment

Patients’ Home Medical Waste May Be Your Responsibility

Handling OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standards

Get a Grip on Tech Trash

One Stop on the Toxic Voyage

Non-Regulated Medical Waste: Getting the Most from Your Waste Hauler

Welcome to Greening Your Practice

Treating Head Lice Without Toxins

Making Medicine Mercury-Free: Major Steps Forward

Latest News

Holistic Primary Care

News For Health & Healing®

Greening Your Practice

Latest News

News For Health & Healing^®