EMT2-ITA Regione Piemonte Greening Initiatives for Building Climate Resilient Field Hospital

Abstract

Background/Introduction:

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared climate change a defining issue in the 21st century with more intense heatwaves, higher risks of flooding and damaging storms, and a changing pattern of emerging infectious diseases. In this scenario, the response of Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) to disasters represents a fundamental resource.

Objectives:

To expand EMT2-ITA-Regione Piemonte operational independence and to minimize its environmental footprint.

Method/Description:

A multiphasic and prospective project is planned in order to:

(1) Reduce water consumption: use of a sterilizer designed with a set of high-efficiency heat exchangers enabling a substantial saving in water consumption by the vacuum pump and a significant reduction of total water usage through a recirculation system.

(2) Reduce demand for diesel: photovoltaic (PV) system to integrate the current energy production system based on diesel generators.

(3) Reduce paper consumption: use of sterilization management and traceability system and computerized medical record in order to be paperless.

(4) Improve staff awareness and education on greening practices: educational program for the staff focused on waste segregation/management and energy and water saving both in the hospital and in the Base of Operation (BoO).

Results/Outcomes:

EMT2-ITA-Regione Piemonte aims to reduce energy and water consumption by 30% and to become paperless.

Conclusion:

Advances in greening initiatives offer to EMT2-ITA-Regione Piemonte the potential to improve its disaster medical response capabilities and to reduce its ecological footprint.