Jamaica Hospital Medical Center -- Department of Public Affairs -- 8900 Van Wyck Expressway Jamaica, New York 11418
For Immediate Release
Name: Michael Hinck
Telephone: 718-206-8973
Email: mhinck@jhmc.org
Jamaica Hospital Hosts its First Earth Day Expo
Apr 23,2013
For Immediate Release
<br>Dr. Andrew Rubin, Director, Community Affairs
<br>(718) 206-8949
<br>arubin@jhmc.org
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<br>Monday, April 22 was Earth Day and to celebrate Jamaica Hospital hosted its first annual Earth Day Expo. The event highlighted the several initiatives the hospital has undertaken to protect the environment, specifically its ecoMediSys program.
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<br>ecoMediSys was created to identify and implement ecological programs that have a positive impact on the environment and to create a cleaner and better world for patients and the community.
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<br>On display at this expo were examples of how many of the departments within the hospital have contributed to this program. Some of the initiatives include:
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<br>• The conversion to a paperless electronic medical records (EMR) system throughout the hospital and our ambulatory care centers. This drastically reduces the amount of paper that was previously used in patient charts.
<br>• The implementation of a digital radiology system that eliminates the use of chemicals associated with conventional x-rays.
<br>• The elimination of blood pressure machines and thermometers that contain mercury.
<br>• The installation of energy efficient boilers and chillers and a conversion from oil to gas.
<br>• A transition to energy efficient LED lighting and the implementation of a fluorescent tube and bulb recycling program.
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<br>In addition, ecoMediSys program has encouraged staff, patients, and visitors to recycle items that previously would just be thrown out as regular trash. Recycling bins have been placed in offices and in public areas to help raise awareness about the hospital’s recycling initiative. With these efforts, many items that were once considered to be of no value can now be kept out of landfills and to serve another purpose.
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<br>As part of the Earth Day Expo, the hospital also held its first annual ecoMediSys Awards. This year’s recipient was John Grabowski, a mail center associate. Since 2010, John has used his own personal time to redeem bottles and cans collected from offices and public areas throughout the hospital, raising over $4,000. Every year he has donated this money to the Queens “Making Strides” Against Breast Cancer Walk.
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<br>Jamaica Hospital administration and staff are very proud of its eco-friendly initiatives and has fully embraced its role as a leader in developing ways to improve the well-being of the community it serves.
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<br>Jamaica Hospital Medical Center serves a population greater than 1.2 million in Queens and eastern Brooklyn. This 384-bed medical center is an accredited community teaching hospital with a large network of community-based ambulatory care centers. JHMC offers an array of acute inpatient, rehabilitation and mental health services, and is one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in New York City. The hospital provides general medical, pediatric, and dental services, in addition to home health services. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s mission is to serve patients and the community in a way that is second to none. For additional information, please contact Public Affairs at 718-206-6020.
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