The Ohio Hospital Association (OHA), which represents 246 hospitals and 15 health systems across the state, has deepened its sustainability push by joining forces with decarbonisation technology provider CLEAResult.

This partnership expands OHA's Statewide Energy & Sustainability Program by providing members with guidance in two key areas, Energy Procurement and ENERGY STAR Benchmarking and Certification.

By leveraging these services, hospitals can measure their existing energy systems, and adopt measures to lower operating expenses and environmental impact.

OHA president and CEO Mike Abrams said: “OHA is committed to helping Ohio hospitals optimise their operations and reduce their energy use.

“Hospitals utilise sustainability and energy efficiency projects to reduce their utility costs, improve their environmental footprint, and reinvest savings into their communities.

“In 2022, participating member hospitals achieved $11.9m in utility cost savings from our energy and sustainability programme’s services.”

Having started in the 1990s, OHA's Energy & Sustainability Program is recognised as a national model.

Currently, there are numerous OHA member hospitals participating in ENERGY STAR Benchmarking and utilising CLEAResult's Energy Procurement services.

The partnership aims to maintain Ohio's leading position in ENERGY STAR certified hospitals while promoting environmental stewardship and overall health and wellness through cooperation with OHA's Environmental Leadership Council.

OHA director of Energy & Sustainability Program Kevin Zacharyasz said: “We have now expanded the programme to look holistically at not only energy but sustainability initiatives as well.

“One focus of the programme is to explore the correlation between health impacts and the environment where we live.

“We want to ensure that the communities in which our member hospitals serve have access to healthy water, air, and land leading to an overall healthy Ohio.”