Medical Pollution

In the increasingly complex environment in which health care is delivered today, registered nurses are the premier advocates for:

  • The safety and quality of patient care
  • The health and safety of registered nurses and other health care professionals and health care workers
  • Health care practices which do no harm to the public health environment outside the settings in which health care is delivered.

 

From the American Journal of Nursing

Lighting the Way
Luminary Project proposes solutions for a safer, cleaner environment

 

On the Web

The Sustainable Hospitals Project
The Sustainable Hospitals Project at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a web-based clearinghouse for selecting products and work practices that eliminate or reduce occupational and environmental hazards, maintain quality patient care, and contain costs. Information about latex-free medical gloves, safer needle devices, alternatives to polyvinyl chloride products (PVC), and mercury-free products are included at this site.

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH)
Since 1997 ANA, and since 1998 ICN, have been members of the coalition, Health Care Without Harm. The coalition now totals 337 members in 37 countries. The mission of HCWH is to transform the health care industry so it is no longer a source of environmental harm by eliminating pollution in health care practices without compromising safety or care.

International Council of Nurses (ICN) Position Statements

EnviRN
This web site from the University of Maryland School of Nursing is dedicated to supporting nursing professionals seeking accurate, timely and credible scientific information on environmental health and nursing.

The Precautionary Principle
A principle for guiding human activities, to prevent harm to the environment and to human health, has been emerging during the past 10 years. It is called the "principle of precautionary action" or the "precautionary principle" for short.

Founded in 1908, WSNA is the professional organization representing more than 16,000 registered nurses in Washington State. WSNA effectively advocates for the improvement of health standards and availability of quality health care for all people; promotes high standards for the nursing profession; and advances the professional and economic development of nurses.

More Information

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