Green Globes HC is an online self-evaluation tool for existing healthcare facilities, combined with an onsite environmental assessment and certification program. It is designed to monitor and guide cost containment, conservation and sustainability efforts.
Distributed by the Green Buildings Initiative (GBI), the Green Globes system is based on guidelines from recognized healthcare sustainability experts, and our own unique assessment and certification process. Nationwide, Green Globes has certified 150 facilities to date, including Veterans Administration hospitals, clinics, long-term care and assisted living facilities. In addition to the VA work already completed, the VA has placed orders to certify more than 175 additional facilities on 11 separate campuses, which will be certified by early 2012.
In addition to a well-established record with the VA, Green Globes has certified existing buildings for public and private institutions such as Bristol Meyers Squib, Phizer and Medtronic. The National Institute of Health recognizes the Green Globes system for assessing and certifying laboratories, and nearly half the states in the nation have officially written it into legislative orders. Comparing its utilization with LEED certification for hospitals the Green Globes system has been shown to save time, and can be completed without need for a specialized consultant.
Facility maintenance management is more crucial than ever for the cost-effective delivery of healthcare services that fulfill the sustainability and environmental missions of institutional campuses and facilities. Green Globes provides feedback and recommendations to optimize facility usage of energy, water and other resources, while maintaining a quality indoor environment.
In healthcare environments, underuse or misuse of resources can have exponentially adverse impacts on the ROI, compared to most other industries. As 24/7 operations, healthcare facilities affect the environment more than other types of facilities. Therefore, every improvement in operating efficiency becomes especially valuable, both for the environment and in terms of cost-savings. The Green Globes tool assists with monitoring resource use, and with reducing pressure on natural resources.
The value of a sustainable facility and its importance to the bottom line is a widely recognized factor. However, getting the C-Suite to understand and provide support to a certification program, and educating them on the most appropriate program for your facility, is critical to their decision-making process.
The Facility Guidelines Institute's Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities is code in more than 42 states. This document includes sustainability information and appendix information specifically related to Green Globes. For the 2014 cycle, the inclusion in the text of additional standards, and references to the Green Globes - CIEB - Healthcare appendix, will be evaluated. Utilizing these Guidelines supports the most current thinking in sustainability as it relates to healthcare settings.
The heart of the Green Globes system is a unique online software tool, specifically related to healthcare, that can help you assess and quantify your facility's use of existing resources on a real-time basis, both against benchmarks you have established and in relation to recognized industry norms. The system then generates confidential reports that offer a custom blueprint for further improvement, as well as authoritative documentation of the progress achieved. eEvaluation categories include:
Often it takes as little as four months from date of certification application to complete your assessment and receive your Green Globes rating.
Join a growing number of hospitals and healthcare facilities setting the standard with Green Globes Certification.
To complete the certification process, highly qualified third-party assessors with expertise in the cost-efficient sustainability of healthcare facilities will be there to help: conducting an on-site evaluation of your progress, reviewing documentation, and providing additional one-on-one feedback and suggestions for further improvement.
Based on the scores earned in both the on-line and on-site phases, your facility's Green Globes rating is determined. Every step of the way, the program proceeds at your pace, addresses your specific challenges, helps simplify your attainment of certification, and keeps the opportunity to earn recognition for future progress well within your reach. In fact, after achieving the 35% threshold out of 1,000 points, your facility can be certified.
For qualifying facilities, one to four “Globes” are awarded and authorized for posting and publication. In addition, a quality Green Globes plaque is available for your facility to purchase as a permanent display that will assure the patients you serve, and your medical and service staff, that your facility has achieved a level of sustainability to be proud of -- that you've earned the right to “show the Globes.”
The benefits of choosing the Green Globes system go far beyond the professional recognition of certification, and the cost savings, sustainability insights and knowledge gained from the assessment process.
Among the program's distinctive features:
Less than half the cost of other programs in the marketplace, Green Globes is more practical and user friendly. That means it represents a better return on your investment of time and resources. You’ll quickly see the immediate results and benefits from Green Globes, and why it is a solid leader in the health care facilities industry. As further evidence of Green Globes' proven ability to help identify, reduce or eliminate waste and inefficiencies, the program's effectiveness has led several major insurance companies to give premium discounts on Green Globes-certified buildings… based on the belief that environmental responsibility often lowers risk.
For more information, or to determine your buildings applicability to the healthcare module of Green Globes visit: Program Details for CIEB Healthcare
Developed & licensed by: Green Building Initiative
For more information on Green Globes Healthcare (CIEB) Online Software & Certification, please contact
