CHATTANOOGA - On June 1, Parkridge Health System will implement a two-part Sustainability initiative aimed at minimizing the amount of medical and non-medical waste produced by its three hospitals. Parkridge Medical Center, Parkridge East and Parkridge Valley Hospital are all participating in the Stericycle Phase 1 program, which focuses on reducing costly regulated ‘red-bag’ waste while also implementing a single-stream recycling program for hospital employee use.
Under the new initiative, the only items that will go in red bags as hazardous medical waste are the items that have come into contact with blood and/or body fluids containing blood. Items that cannot be sterilized for repeat use such as one-time-use gloves, containers and tubing will also be placed in the red bags for proper disposal.
For the recycling program, nursing stations and staff lounges throughout Parkridge facilities will receive blue recycle bins that can receive plastic, metal, glass and non-confidential papers. The only items not accepted by the recycling program are food, liquids and Styrofoam containers, according to Stericycle Sustainability Supervisor Dee Taylor. The single-stream program means that Parkridge staff will not have to worry about separating items: “These items are taken and run through a special processor after collection in order to separate the different types of recyclable material,” explains Taylor. Over the next few weeks, Parkridge staff will be introduced to the new system and encouraged to make a habit of recycling whenever possible.
“We are excited to be a part of the Stericycle Phase 1 sustainability initiative, and to continue our emphasis on environmental stewardship,” notes Parkridge Associate Administrator Cory Darling. “It is the right thing to do for our employees, our patients and our community.”
About Parkridge Health System
Parkridge Health System is a multi-campus facility which includes Parkridge Medical Center, Parkridge East Hospital and Parkridge Valley. Parkridge Medical Center, our main campus on McCallie Avenue, offers comprehensive acute care services including cardiology, oncology at our Commission on Cancer approved Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, complete surgical services including the first robotics surgery program in the region, award-winning orthopaedics, and an Emergency Services Department designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center. Parkridge East Hospital is a full service hospital located in East Ridge, committed to providing the best in obstetrics including Neonatal Intensive Care, surgical services including robotics, orthopaedics, and gynecological procedures, as well as an Emergency Services Department also designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center. Parkridge Valley, our behavioral health facility, offers mental health services for children, adolescents and adults as well as treatments for addictive disorders. We are a family of hospitals for your family. To learn more, visit www.ParkridgeHealthSystem.com or contact MedLine at (800) 242-5662.