This year on Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal renewed its commitment to the environment by launching its Sustainable Development Committee. Dr. Lyndia Dernis, an anesthesiologist at St. Mary’s Hospital Center, is head of the Sustainable Care Subcommittee. At this year’s Prix d’excellence du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux, awarded in May, her department received an Honourable Mention in Sustainable Development for reducing the carbon footprint of the operating suites at SMHC. The anesthesiologists accomplished this by better monitoring the release of anaesthetizing gases, which are very polluting, and by adopting new work practices. The operating suites’ nurses also contributed by sorting and recycling all of the packaging there. Their honourable mention also included a cash prize.
A Well-Deserved Award
The prize money was used to organize two workshops on climate-related issues in collaboration with The Climate Fresk, an international organization that aims to raise public awareness about climate change. The first workshop was held on June 27 at SMHC. During this interactive, entertaining, and cooperative workshop, the 18 participants were encouraged to think of actions they can take on a daily basis to reduce their carbon footprint. Tangible solutions were proposed and the participants received a certificate of participation. “We all came with our own understanding of climate change and we worked TOGETHER to find solutions. The participants came from various CIUSSS facilities and different areas of expertise. We were all able to contribute and enjoyed both sharing ideas and the overall experience,” says Dr. Dernis.
Collective Awareness, Collective Efforts
Our Associate President and CEO, Najia Hachimi-Idrissi, was on hand for the first presentation of the workshop. She was also very pleased by this initiative. “The Climate Fresk adds to the tangible and eco-conscious initiatives we have implemented at our CIUSSS. We all know that we have to do more, and we are convinced that we need to reduce the environmental impact of our daily activities in providing care and services. This process requires a commitment from each of our institution’s directorates, from all of our facilities, and from all of our personnel,” said Ms. Hachimi-Idrissi.
What’s Next
In collaboration with the six sustainable development subcommittees we are currently developing an action plan that encompasses provision of care, mobility, waste management, food systems, procurement, and infrastructure.
Another Climate Fresk workshop is also planned for September. As a “short-term occupant” of this planet, our CIUSSS aims to significantly reduce its environmental footprint by reducing waste that results from its activities, by optimizing our use of resources throughout the lifecycle of goods and services, and by adopting best practices.Our EARTH needs our care! Think about it: What can you do to reduce your carbon footprint?