Rush University Medical Center seeks LEED certification for new buildings

Rush University Medical Center is taking the lead in adopting environmentally friendly and sustainable design, construction and operation practices that not only promote the health of the environment, but also the health of patients and staff.

Rush is seeking gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the new East Tower, scheduled to open in 2012, and the new Orthopedic Building, which opened in December 2009. These two structures are the largest components of the Rush Transformation, the most comprehensive construction and facilities renovation program in Rush's more than 170-year history. The nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council awards LEED certification to buildings with high environmental standards.

"Rush will be the largest urban, full-service, academic medical center in the country to earn a Gold LEED certification. Only four hospitals in the country currently are Gold LEED certified and fewer than 100 nationwide have LEED certification," said Joe DeVoss, assistant vice president, Office of Transformation at Rush. "We've come a long way. Just a few years ago, there was nothing green about us. Today, we're one of the greenest, a national leader in green health care."

Among the hundreds of energy-efficient and sustainable strategies the buildings will employ are multiple green roofs for slow release of rainwater into storm sewers; extensive use of recycled materials, from structural concrete to interior finishes and furniture; innovative water conservation techniques; energy-efficient systems for lighting, heating and cooling; and low VOC (volatile-organic compound) products.

While the design and construction teams plan and build the green features for the Rush Transformation, the Green Team at Rush has been busy implementing sustainable practices into everyday operations. The first big initiative of the Green Team, which is made up of volunteers from across the hospital and University, was a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling program.

"Currently we pull about 20 percent out of our waste stream to be recycled. Our goal is to reach 50 percent," said Mary Gregoire, PhD, RD, chairperson of the Green Team. "We continue to look for opportunities beyond the paper, glass and plastic that most people think of when they recycle. For example, we also recycle our cooking grease, motor oil and electronic equipment and we're now working on a plan with our waste hauler to separate out compostable material."

Rush has reduced the amount of medical waste it generates per patient by more than 50 percent in the last 12 years. Environmentally preferable products are used in housekeeping. And by eliminating the use of Styrofoam products and replacing them with biodegradable disposable products that break down in the landfill in about 90 days, Rush is keeping more than 870,000 Styrofoam plates, cups and containers out of landfills each year.

"While our green efforts promote the health of the environment, they also improve the health of our patients and staff," said DeVoss. "We are improving air quality, reducing exposure to toxic housecleaning solutions, limiting sound pollution and incorporating healing design elements such as daylight and outdoor respite areas."

Each weekday leading up to Earth Day on April 22, the Rush News Blog will feature videos and photos on some of the sustainable practices Rush is implementing.