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closeGoing green is always the way to go
John Bretschneider / for Good Samaritan Hospital
We all see our communities growing in East Pierce County and while we need to increase services to our residents, we also need to take a close look at how this growth affects the environment.
Good Samaritan wants to be part of the green solution and is taking the lead in “Green Health Care” in Washington state.
Construction crews of the new Patient Care Tower, set to open in early 2011, will seek the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council. LEED certification shows that the building is constructed with energy and resource conservation and efficiency. Good Samaritan is one of the first hospitals in the state of Washington seeking to achieve this certification.
Good Samaritan is dedicated to providing a healthy environment of care and our new facility will provide that and more. The new tower will include the ability to treat and recycle water, a “green roof,” locations for outdoor respite and water efficient landscaping. While separately these items may not seem significant, together they provide a huge impact on the environment in means of conservation of water and limited energy usage.
While going green positively impacts our environment, it also impacts the hospital’s efficiency. It lowers costs, increases productivity and decreases patient recuperation time.
Studies show that patient access to natural light decreases depression, improves sleep and eases pain. The affect is not limited to patients; staff is affected by natural light as well. Access to natural light increases Vitamin D levels which have been shown to improve mood and perception which, in turn, enhances the patient experience.
While achieving LEED certification is a goal, Good Samaritan is dedicated to making a positive, lasting impression on the City of Puyallup for years to come and this includes protecting the environment.
Puyallup is becoming the example of “going green.” The city of Puyallup is also seeking LEED certification for its newly constructed city hall that is slated to open in late summer. It is our collaborative hope that Good Samaritan and the city of Puyallup will serve as examples of what is to come for construction in East Pierce County and to continue to serve our communities while being cognizant of our footprint on the future.
Stay tuned for more on Good Samaritan’s construction and how this is a great time to be a resident of East Pierce County.
For more information on the new tower, please visit www.goodsamhealth.org. For more information on the LEED certification, please visit www.usgbc.org.