The Environmental Management System in a Health Structure: The Case study of ORC-Aviano (Italy)

Abstract

The Oncology Reference Center (ORC) of Aviano (Italy) organization principles are based on the criteria of effectiveness efficiency and cost-effectiveness in compliance to clinical autonomy leading to the continuous improvement of services provided and the research activities in order to ensure maximum level of safety for patients and operators. Within these values the adoption of environmental sustainable management voluntary systems such as ISO 14000 and EMAS has been evaluated and proposed. To this note the Initial Environmental Analysis (IEA) is presented allowing basic targets for improvement and implementation of environmental management programs as well as highlighting the effectiveness of the adoption of sustainable management of voluntary EMAS instrument. Phases to define and evaluate the environmental factors were analysed and the relationship between the site and the surrounding zone was performed according to the characteristics of “sensitivity” and “vulnerability” of the affected area. Specifying different degrees of priority which the problems must be managed to a medium priority rating was found for short term interventions Some improvements in the hospital waste management were identified among these the preparation of guidelines applicable to current operational practices are the most reliable.