HCA Healthcare – Jason Zhu – 2014

Goals

Jason Zhu worked closely with HCA’s Sustainability Manager on a Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) project. 

Solutions

Since RMW is required to be treated prior to disposal into landfill, Zhu researched various technologies and treatment methods, contacted vendors in different areas and communicated with subject matter experts within HCA to explore the options of a more energy efficient, cost effective and sustainable management practice.

Zhu acquired data from various vendors with the option of on-site and off-site treatment. He analyzed the data and applied it to one of the larger HCA hospitals that generates more than 500,000 pounds of RMW annually.

Potential Impact

For this specific hospital, it could save approximately $160,000 in annual operating and utility costs, as well as 95 metric tons of annual carbon dioxide emissions. Zhu also proposed a three-stage implementation plan to roll out this project for all 165 HCA hospitals across the nation.