05/25/11 11:26am

Article By: Katerva

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched the LEED for Healthcare rating system this past April, creating a new green standard that encourages healthier environments for human healing.

Recent research has fostered a deeper awareness of the relationship between our surroundings and wellbeing.  For instance, exposure to daylight is an environmental factor that is shaped by architecture and has been shown to improve health.  A 2004 studyby the University of Pittsburgh revealed that patients with access to sunlight needed 20 percent less pain medication and also experienced less stress.

These types of findings have helped to shape the USGBC’s newest building standard.  LEED for Healthcare (LEED-HC) is a system that rewards hospitals and healthcare facilities designed for excellent performance.  Points are given for aspects such as improved indoor environmental quality, greater access to nature, and resource-efficient systems.  These factors not only help patients heal faster, but also improve the ability of doctors and medical professionals to do their jobs well.

“LEED for Healthcare represents a milestone for green building,” said Gail Vittori, founding chair of the LEED-HC Committee.  ”… It provides an explicit recognition of health consequences associated with a spectrum of building-related decisions… .”

The result of seven years of research, LEED for Healthcare was developed through collaboration between the USGBC and the Green Guide for Healthcare (GGHC).  The GGHC ran a successful pilot program in over 100 healthcare facilities starting in 2007, gathering critical support for the standard’s creation.

LEED, which stands for Leader in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that promotes sustainable design and construction.  Through this family of standards and more, the nonprofit USGBC strives to create a healthy and environmentally responsible places to work, live, and also heal.

Read more and see below for a walk through of the first LEED platinum hospital:

This is a cross-post from Katerva.org.

Katerva identifies and awards the world's best sustainability ideas and initiatives. The Katerva Awards celebrate radical innovation and accelerate change for a sustainable planet.

Original Post: http://katerva.org/nominees/green-standards-for-healing-environments/