Have you been putting off remodeling your Los Angeles medical office to a green hospital design? Well, it’s time to jump on the eco band wagon, because today’s ASC’s and other medical practices can no longer afford to stay in the dark ages. Here’s the latest scoop on the emerging trend of environmentally-friendly spaces in hospital design.
What was once considered trendy is now mandatory for all medical practices, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and the like. “Healthy buildings” are now the norm for all medical offices scheduled for remodeling or new construction. ]
Natural hospital design for today
While the focus is on hospital design, smaller private practice healthcare providers should take heed. For dentist offices, wellness clinics or plastic surgery centers, use energy-saving elements in design, materials, utilities and workflow strategies. “Sustainability” in modern medical construction will soon be the status quo for all office buildings. In addition to protecting the environment, green hospital design also saves money by cutting back on energy costs. This is especially helpful for ASC’s running a 24-hour schedule for urgent care patients. (Read the full article on Becker’s Hospital CFO.)Tips for going green
What are the characteristics of a green medical practice? The deciding factors are renewable energy, environmentally-friendly building materials, and energy-reducing elements in hospital design. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) provides helpful information for small community hospitals interested in acquiring green healthcare certification. Here are some helpful tips:- Optimize efficiency in energy, water usage, lighting, and waste disposal.
- For remodeling projects, consider using sensors that switch off lights when a room is empty.
- Speak to your utility providers about ways you can but back on water, electricity and waste. Many provide rebates for hospitals that cut back on emissions.
- If your medical office is in an old building, then you may need to replace outdated appliances.
- Follow the lead of California’s Kaiser Permanente. Their Antelope Valley Medical Offices received LEED Platinum certification for their net-zero energy usage.