TUSCALOOSA, AL — DCH Health System on Thursday announced it has been recognized as the only health system in Alabama to earn Stryker's Environmental Excellence Platinum Award.
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The national recognition honors healthcare organizations for outstanding sustainability efforts through medical device reprocessing.
Presented by Stryker's Sustainability Solutions program, it recognizes hospitals and health systems that reduce waste, conserve natural resources and promote environmentally sustainable healthcare practices.
DCH said it has diverted more than 56,000 medical device units from landfills during the past year through its reprocessing program. The initiative also reportedly helped prevent an estimated 561 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, reducing the organization's overall environmental footprint.
As part of the recognition, Stryker planted 18 trees in honor of DCH Health System to commemorate its sustainability achievements.
DCH Health System Vice President of Supply Chain Rachel Anderson said the hospital system is committed to improving the health of its communities in every way possible, including being responsible stewards of our environment.
"Receiving Stryker's Environmental Excellence Platinum Award and being the only health system in Alabama to earn this recognition reflects our team's commitment to serving our patients and communities while reducing our environmental impact," she said.
DCH officials said medical device reprocessing allows certain single-use medical devices to be professionally cleaned, tested and remanufactured to meet federal quality and regulatory standards before being returned for clinical use.
The hospital system also said the process helps reduce landfill waste, conserve natural resources and lower greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining patient safety.
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