Vidant Chowan & Vidant Bertie Hospitals Accept the Challenge with help from local Farmer’s Market

Oct. 5, 2012 - PRLog -- Vidant Chowan and Vidant Bertie hospitals have joined the Healthier Hospitals Initiative (HHI), a national campaign to implement a new approach to improving environmental health and sustainability in the healthcare sector.  11 of the largest United States health systems, comprising approximately 500 hospitals, worked with Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), the Center for Health Design and Practice Greenhealth (PGH), to create a guide for hospitals to improve sustainability.

The Healthier Hospital Initiative was the topic of discussion at a recent White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) forum. Leaders in the industry explained how HHI members would accept  challenges to make measurable changes in their operations that would reduce their environmental footprint,  lower costs and improve overall patient health by including sustainability efforts and initiatives into their business models.

“We realize the importance of being good stewards,” said Liz White, leader of the Green Council for both hospitals. “Our hospitals in both Bertie and Chowan counties are members of Health Care Without Harm, Practice Green Health and founding partners of Healthier Hospital Initiative. These are international organizations dedicated to providing a safe internal environment for our patients and employees, while protecting and improving the environment and health of our communities.

One HHI challenge is to provide and promote healthier food options for employees, patients and the community. Vero Brentjens, who oversees the Edenton Farmers Market on the campus of College of the Albemarle, began the program with local grower Fred Inglis in 2010.  Inglis is a producer of certified organic produce and meats.

The Roanoke-Cashie River Center oversees the Windsor Super Farmers Market, where Neal Moye (RCRC) and Tom Stroud from Partnership for the Sound, are working with White to set up a fall meeting with area vendors and growers to discuss expanded collaborative efforts with the hospitals, including purchasing more locally grown food and making it available to employees and the community.

Both Saturday morning markets estimate that over 100 people attend weekly to purchase locally raised meats, crabs (in season) and fresh seasonal produce that includes squash, potatoes, beets, beans, cucumbers, garlic, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, asparagus, blueberries, watermelon, corn and more from over 20 area vendors. Additionally customers may find baked breads, cheeses, nuts, sorbets, homemade candles, jewelry, fresh flowers and many more items.  

Staff from both hospitals have attended the Edenton Farmers Market to promote community health and education. Vidant Bertie and Chowan Wellness Coordinator, Hunter Balltzglier, offered blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings to kickoff the 16 weeks of health information at the market. Other programs that were offered through the end of September included pediatric asthma and air quality, advanced care planning and the promotion of congregational health, which works with area churches on identifying and developing a health team that educates and motivates congregations to promote whole person health and wellness.  Additionally stroke awareness, massage therapy, emergency preparedness, transitional care, nutrition, food safety, medication safety information and more were offered weekly.  

Other HHI challenges include engaged leadership, reduced waste, leaner energy, safer chemicals and smarter purchasing.  Both Vidant Bertie and Vidant Chowan hospitals have accepted challenges in all these areas and are currently collecting data for submission to HHI.  A recent project the hospitals have been working on includes the purchase of an energy efficient, green vehicle.  

“We are very proud to add the first Prius to our fleet,” said Matt Gitzinger, director of clinical support services. “We have dual administration and management, which means substantial mileage reimbursement and fuel and maintenance expenses.  The Prius is rated at 51 city and 48 highway miles per gallon and has earned the Environmental Protection Agencies highest score of "10" for reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  By way of comparison, our Crown Victorias are rated at 16 city and 24 highway mpg and has a Greenhouse Gas score of "3."  We look forward to tracking our savings in both dollars and greenhouse gas emissions.”

For more information on Vidant Bertie and Chowan hospital’s green and sustainable efforts, contact Liz White at 252-482-6760.