One of the primary principles of the medical profession is "First, do no harm."  In recent years, doctors, ethicists, patients and environmental advocates have expanded the meaning of that principle.  Where it once dictated bedside decision-making, it is now framing discussions about the enviornmental and health impacts associated with the operation of the modern medical industry.

In this spirit, Duke Medical Center has partnered with Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E).  H2E is a voluntary program designed to help health care facilities enhance work place safety, reduce waste and waste disposal costs and become better environmental stewards and neighbors.

As part of Duke's green purchasing initiative, procurement agents for the Medical Center are increasingly soliciting environmentally preferable medical products, such as those identified by the Sustainable Hospitals Project and Healthcare Without Harm.

Duke currently has made a strong commitment to reprocessing medical instruments rather than utilizing single-use disposable instruments.  A thid party reprocesses the instruments according to strict safety guidelines.  Duke's reprocessing program has realized savings of 40% since its inception.

Through the Environmental Programs Division of the Occupational Environment and Safety Office, Duke is currently undertaking an inventory to identify sources of mercury in the hospital, medical center and University laboratories that continue to contribute mercury to the University's waste streams and then find solutions to manage and reduce such discharge.  The University is striving to eliminate all mercury in our waste streams within the next few years.