Environmental Sustainability

Luminis Health recognizes the healthcare sector's impact on the environment and actively works to evaluate our role in contributing to climate-related issues.  We work towards improving human health and embrace the opportunity to be leaders in environmental change.  We provide solutions to improve our climate footprint, mitigate harm, and positively impact the health of our staff, patients, community, and families who have put their trust in us. 

Environmental Certification Programs, Awards, and Other Activities

• Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E) 2010 Trailblazer Award for LEED design and construction. 
• United States Green Building Council of Maryland (USGBCMD) 2010 Wintergreen Award for New Construction 
• Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E) 2011 Trailblazer Award for Greening the Surgical Services. 
• Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E) 2012 Trailblazer Award; Nursing Leadership in Environmental Health 
• 2014 Anne Arundel County Public Schools "Distinguished Stakeholder Award" 
• 2015 Becker’s Hospital Review Top 50 Greenest Hospitals in the US 
• 2021 USGBC of Maryland awarded LH McNew the Community Leader Award in the Innovative Project, Health and Wellness in the Built Environment category. 
• A Healthier Home Booklet - simple steps to protecting our families from toxic substances

Buildings

New designs and renovations provide sustainable solutions and a positive environmental impact on our community.   

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Recognition: 

• LHAAMC South Hospital, in 2010, is the first Maryland hospital to be LEED Gold certified acute care pavilion.  LHAAMC completed a significant expansion in April 2011 including new emergency rooms, eight operating rooms and multiple levels of in-patient care units. 

• 6th floor at LHAAMC, in 2016, a build-out of the South Tower, received LEED Gold certification. 

• Luminis Health J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, in 2021 continued the commitment to green building and applied for LEED Silver but due to outstanding achievements was awarded the LEED Gold certification.   

Energy

Conserving our energy usage will help improve our health. It is estimated that 80% of the US greenhouse gas emissions are directly related to the production and use of energy. Decreasing our contribution of emissions of greenhouse gases will help slow climate change. 

We work to eliminate the negative health and climate impacts of our energy consumption while enhancing patient outcomes and minimizing costs. 

• All building projects are designed to achieve or exceed LEED standards to reduce energy consumption.
• We utilize sustainability software to track energy and waste data to manage programs, goals and initiatives.
• High-efficiency LED lighting is used in our operating rooms to reduce heat and electrical load.
• LED Lighting conversion projects throughout our campuses and over the years have resulted in a reduction in electrical usage.

Food

Our hospitals offer healthier menus, work with farmers to purchase locally and sustainably grown products, offer plant-forward menus, and foster community partnerships to help meet the food needs of the community.

• Luminis Health began operating an annual on-campus farmers market in 2010 at our LHAAMC campus.  In 2017, the market expanded to increase community outreach and became one of the first farmer's markets in Anne Arundel County to accept SNAP and provide a matching dollar market money program to the community. Continuing the commitment to supporting local resources, the market expanded to the LHDCMC campus in 2020.

• Luminis Health purchases locally grown, organic and seasonal produce when possible.  We are consistently increasing Vegan and plant-forward options in our cafeterias. 

Water

Our Luminis Health campuses are located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and incorporate conservation efforts in our site design to continue our commitment to environmental stewardship.     

Meeting and exceeding stormwater management practices through green roofs, step ponds, and incorporating low-flow plumbing fixtures into all showers, toilets, faucets and sinks ensuring water efficiency helps us meet our goals. 

Waste 

Waste in healthcare is a complex situation.  Luminis Health works to evaluate its waste stream, segregate and reduce waste, choose reusable products and recycling efforts to demonstrate a strong commitment to the environment

• Remanufacturing & Reprocessing program 
• Reusable sharps containers 
• Waste segregation and recycling (described under Recycling) 

Waste Diversion 

• Remanufacturing & Reprocessing:  

  • Luminis Health partners with an FDA-approved, 3rd party vendor to begin a remanufacturing and reprocessing program. Many items approved by the FDA for multiple use but packaged by the manufacturer as “single-use” are now collected.  Over a third of our cost savings is in the collection and reprocessing of pulse oximeter probes!  This program has reduced our waste, minimizing our environmental impact, while saving significant financial resources. 

• Reusable Sharps Containers:

  • We participate in a reusable sharps program.  These reusable containers can be reused over 500 times, greatly reducing the number of plastics being sent to the incinerator, and the air emissions, including dioxin, which is released when plastic is burned. 

• Surplus Supply Global Donation Program 

  • When possible Luminis Health donates supplies that the hospital can no longer use.  These supplies, while no longer useful for us, still had lots of life in them. Throughout the years we have donated over 12 tons of surplus medical supplies to hospitals in need globally.  The additional local benefit is seen in waste diversion, ordinarily these items end up in landfills or incinerators.  We are especially proud of our efforts to support global needs and reduce our impact on our local environment. 

Chemicals 

Exposure to toxic substances can cause harm.  Luminis Health provides annual comprehensive chemical evaluations throughout all entities supporting our efforts to work towards the elimination of harmful chemicals and reduce hazardous health exposures. 

In 2007, LHAAMC became the first tobacco-free hospital campus in Maryland.  In 2014, we became the first hospital to implement tobacco-free hiring. 

2016, LHAAMC is awarded the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Health Care Award by Maryland Pesticide Network and Beyond Pesticides, for their work in using less toxic pest control methods.

Transportation

• LHAAMC was named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) by the League of American Bicyclists in 2017.  We were the first healthcare organization in Maryland and the first business in Anne Arundel County to receive the BFB designation.  

• Wheels of Hope – In 2018, Luminis Health developed a program with community stakeholders to collect and refurbish bicycles to provide reliable climate-friendly transportation solutions.  Bikes are donated throughout Anne Arundel County and provide direct support to Luminis Health Pathways clients.  

Sustainable Procurement

Purchasing decisions impact the health of our building occupants in all aspects of our organization.  Our Supply Chain is committed to ensuring sustainable practices eliminate harmful toxic exposures, increase reusable products and support the movement towards decreasing impact on our planet. 

• In 2004, we converted 85% of the cleaning chemicals to Green Seal™ certified cleaners.  

• In 2007, we reduced the use of mercury-containing instruments to near zero.  We also have a restriction on paints and adhesives with high VOC (volatile organic compound) levels and we have successfully transitioned to microfiber mops which clean more effectively and require fewer cleaning products.  

•  In 2012, we converted to formaldehyde-free infant bath wash and more DEHP-free tubing.  In 2017 a conversion from disposable pillows to reusable pillows continued the commitment to fewer single-use items.