The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued it’s policy encouraging hospitals to self-police their compliance with environmental regulations. The policy, titled Incentives for Self-Policing: Discovery, Disclosure, Correction and Prevention of Violations, offers hospitals the elimination of penalties for violations discovered through a voluntary auditing process. More incentives and the complete EPA policy can be viewed on the web at www.epa.gov.

The EPA recommends that all hospitals and universities in EPA Region 2 (NJ, NY, Virgin Is., P.R.) begin self-policing their environmental regulatory compliance. GHR recommends that facilities in EPA Region 3 (PA, DE, MD) initiate a self-policing environmental auditing program, because the EPA Region 3 may soon start hospital inspections as the EPA Region 2 already has.

All findings and recommendations originating from audits performed by GHR are confidential, and are only reported to our clients. Whether to sign an audit agreement and disclose findings to the EPA is at the discretion of the owner.

GHR offers the following environmental auditing services:

     - Full environmental compliance audit for hospitals
     - Partial audits to help managers assess overall regulatory compliance
     - Permit and policy preparation to correct known violations

Environmental regulations govern hazardous waste, regulated medical waste, boiler plant and emergency generator emissions, underground storage tanks, the disposal of mercury containing items, asbestos, lead paint, PCBs, and waste water discharges. All hospitals have environmental responsibilities. For more information, please contact us by phone or via email.