Our Mission

The goal of GHSI is to pool the resources and expertise of leading hospitals systems to create sector-wide transformation that no organization could do on its own.

GHSI will produce tools and resources that will enable participating healthcare systems to make concrete and costs effective improvements in their institutions. Some of these tools include the following:

• Healthy Purchasing strategy
  that includes a shared web-based resource tool with model environmentally preferable specifications, positive case studies and product information to drive collective purchasing decisions by GHSI systems, as well as a priority list of products that will accelerate the introduction of safer products in the healthcare market at cost competitive prices.
• Open-source searchable database
  on innovative design recommendations that include 170 Kaiser Permanente innovations, as well as design recommendations from Center for Health Design Pebble Projects and hospital projects that have incorporated the Green Guide to Healthcare in their design and construction.
• Eco-footprint toolkit
  for healthcare that will enable hospitals to easily evaluate their energy and carbon impacts, as well as other key environmental indicators: waste, water, toxic chemicals, transportation and overall built environment. GHSI will also work with Practice Greenhealth and other experts in the field to reduce its partners overall footprint, save money and improve its corporate social responsibility.
• Innovative Research Collaborative
  that will pool ideas and money from participating institutions to conduct timely research that can help inform purchasing, design and operations decisions that impact on health and improve safety and sustainability.
• Powerful public policy agenda and plan
  that will put the healthcare sector in a leading position on issues affecting safety and sustainability, including safer chemicals, climate protection and worker safety issues.
• Access to the PHAROS database
  providing a powerful new resource that can help healthcare designers and architects choose healthier building materials within a life-cycle perspective.

The GHSI is making the case for combining the "green" sustainability movement with health care's patient and workplace safety efforts — thereby creating the logic and tools for significant improvement in all three.

With a number of leading health systems working together, the GHSI has the potential to help establish the priorities and agenda for safer, healthier and more environmentally sustainable health care facilities and thus make a major contribution to both the health care industry and society as a whole.

We welcome your feedback, suggestions, and your partnership.