1. Introduction to Ford Type 2 Ambulance
Ford Type 2 Ambulance; Ambulances are emergency rescue vehicles used to transport individuals, commonly patients, from one location to another with specialized medical care during transit, primarily to a healthcare facility operating in emergency medical services. Based on vehicle design parameters, two different types of ambulances are ongoing: Type 1 ambulance, which is either front or rear-wheel driven with an ambulance compartment constructed from the main vehicle’s body, and Type 2 ambulance, in which the main vehicle and the rear single body are attached. The rear compartment of this type of ambulance is typically fixed on a light-duty complete knockdown chassis that creates a lower overall center of gravity. Additionally, the Type 2 ambulance is one of the most popular ambulances in the West African region, characterized by a sprinter van with a high roof attached to a chassis.
The E-450 ambulance is a major emergency rescue vehicle widely used in regions such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Germany. Most of these manufactured vehicles are privately owned and managed by their resourceful owners. An ambulance outrivals both the common ultra-modern vehicle, which also has several features present in the ward. The ambulance, being maneuverable, provides a smooth drive for caregivers to deliver total care services to patients and other people. Operationally, it assists health workers by deploying proficiently during emergencies, maintaining an exceptional standard of patient care. The ambulance van is an emergency vehicle specifically conceived and shaped to transport an individual. It is fundamentally used in two ways: from the scene of illness to the hospital and from a hospital to a skilled physician for advanced medical treatment. The ambulance and its operator’s significant job is to offer safe, unified operation and deliver the patient in a short period to any health facility.
1.1. Definition and Purpose Ford Type 2 Ambulance
A Ford Type 2 ambulance is designed for the transportation of patients who need medical assistance on the way. These vehicles are typically large and provide space for a simple stretcher, lifesaving equipment, a healthcare professional, and an ambulance driver. These ambulances are not intended to provide care-in-transit during emergency medical services to the receiving hospital. The vehicle is similar to larger van-style vehicles and is usually able to fit in urban environments—an advantage for hospitals wishing to expand ambulance services in their local communities, including smaller facilities, as well as for Independent Transport Networks that may be conducting scheduled or on-call non-emergency medical services. Generally, diesel-to-dual-fuel configurations are often found in this category.
The Ford Type 2 ambulance design is ideal for additional staffing and equipment, such as specialty ambulances and CCT ambulances. The recently described ambulance is essential to maintain a methodical approach and a new design. In order to fabricate a patient compartment equipped with specialized medical devices for illnesses, it is very important to prioritize patient safety and meet demand. Moreover, a specific-purpose ambulance should be manufactured according to the specialties that provide services in the ambulance sub-branches or those projected to be offered in different medical centers. These vehicles serve as a mobile, clinic-based home for transferring people who have been sick or injured in a remote location to where they should receive treatment for existing or encountered injuries. These ambulances may serve a local hospital, clinic, or other medical facility in a city or town located within the vicinity of the hospital.
1.2. Importance of High-Quality Ford Type 2 Ambulance Design
What are the benefits of a high-quality and easy-to-use designed ambulance? Designed emergency vehicles are not only visually appealing, but they are designed the way the care provider will be using them. The interior layout allows the crew to assess, treat, package, and have more access to their patient(s). The increased functionality doesn’t just allow the crew or firefighter a better working environment. The better-designed ambulance usually provides an increase in safety for the patient and the driver. Operating faster and more efficiently are also hallmarks of a well-designed ambulance. As technology changes along with new procedures and policies, a modular ambulance layout is preferred, so those kinds of interior changes can be made without destroying the interior and starting from scratch. Most off-the-shelf conversion unit manufacturers now meet these modular criteria. Utilizing a modular unit also allows an ambulance remount to be a more viable option. A converted ambulance is a more aerodynamic, better handling, more cost-effective, reliable, durable, easy-to-maintain unit with a longer life cycle than other small truck-based ambulances.
About 1 percent of the patient population transported by ambulance has a life-threatening injury or illness. Why should we stop making improvements to an ambulance for so few patients? Because the current emergency in a medical system has a high likelihood of high-acuity patient injury/illness with an unstable condition, who may become critically ill within moments. We need to provide the best treatment options during transport that we can and minimize the time until definitive patient care can be provided. Every minute you waste with an inferior designed ambulance can result in less oxygen to the brain or vital organs. The delay can result in disease if tissue is not receiving oxygenated blood within a certain time frame. Time and speed are important factors in starting treatment that can minimize tissue damage or deterioration in people with limited critical homeostasis. Studies show that significant blood loss and florid bleeding result in patient demise in a shorter length of time than in patients with stable hemostasis.
2. ICU Automotive: A Leader in Ford Type 2 Ambulance Manufacturing
ICU Automotive, an ambulance manufacturing company in Southern Illinois, was founded in 1993 by the Heape family. At the core of their business, the focus is on emergency vehicles, and their team is working diligently to provide the highest quality ambulances, patient vans, and mobility units for healthcare providers all over the world. Both of their 80,000-square-foot facilities are outfitted with the latest technology and employ specialists in all areas related to ambulance manufacturing. ICU Automotive is known for innovation, skilled craftsmanship, and customer service that is unequaled. Not only are the ICU owners native to Southern Illinois, but nurses and first responders’ children, the Heapes know the realities of emergency transports, and designing vehicles that make them as efficient and safe as possible is a passion of theirs.
The company is certified and accredited for inspection, providing an x-ray, vehicle performance, and out front equipment inspection station. One of their biggest assets is not just their knowledge of ambulance manufacturing, but also their dedication to staying on top of medical technology, compliance, and safety standards for ambulance design and sales. Their philosophy is simple: to be the best at what they do. They manufacture a specific class of ambulances, type II, that is built for emergency medical services. This type of ambulance is made to transport both basic life support and advanced life support units. They have partnered with doctors and nurses from different communities to develop vehicles that are safe for everyone.
2.1. Company Background and Expertise Ford Type 2 Ambulance
ICU Automotive has a long history in the South African motor industry. Its roots take you back to 1957 when it traded under the names of the Giant Hendon Group and later Jurgens Hendon. Many significant milestones have been achieved over the years, with the design and manufacture of ambulances becoming ICU Automotive’s specialty. Although ambulances have changed over the years, the qualities associated with ICU Automotive remain the same: that of design innovation, quality, reliability, and value for money. Collectively, our team has over 100 years of experience in the ambulance industry. We have dedicated various areas of the manufacturing process to certain skills. Designated to continuous streamlining and manufacturing are engineers, a production manager, quality control inspectors, and a manufacturing foreman. The latest technologies from sheet metal to plastic material ranges are utilized to achieve the highest levels of technical application and compliance. Where standards-approved types of materials are used, they are obtained from leading suppliers. Over the years, we have gained a thorough appreciation of the needs of the ambulance industry. We can design and build, in whole or part, any permutation of the ambulances. Part modular building of the ambulance allows us to repair, replace, or refurbish vehicles in the most cost-effective manner as well as to reduce lead-off time. The necessary spare parts are generally available for most patient compartments dating back to 1988. We manage our own export, thereby creating flexibility in servicing our overseas customers, ranging from South America to the Far East. Our highly experienced emergency vehicle technicians provide on-the-job training in ambulance manufacture to other countries. Technical know-how and the design of our ambulances come from a deep understanding of the needs of the South African emergency services. ICU Automotive was born in South Africa. We have come to appreciate the needs of the South African population as well as nationally accredited high-level industry-standard emergency services. The old ways and advanced technologies have been integrated to meet the intended use and operational demand of the changing face of this industry. We currently manufacture and export ambulances throughout South Africa and abroad.
2.2. Specialization in Ford Type 2 Ambulances
ERFO Te Uru Tamāriki – ED7
Design and manufacturing of Ford Type 2 ambulances by ICU Automotive.
2.2 Specialization in Ford Type 2 ambulances
The cooperation with the principal New Zealand ambulance providers demonstrated that there is a distinct want for Ford Type 2 ambulances inside the Auckland area; however, no producer existed in New Zealand. Capturing numerous ambulances from Ford gave ICU Automotive the platform to enter this market. Ambulances might be problematic little vehicles that buzz across the fast-paced roads of a populated nation. Constructed onto a lightweight industrial vehicle is particularly different from a typical automobile and requires a distinct stack of engineering expertise to make and maintain.
The value to each producer and provider of these ambulances was the essential cause that ICU Automotive bought the Clothed Body Chassis Cab designs to a chassis cab producer and at a later date will promote the extra ambulance designs. The manufacturing phase of an ambulance remains time-consuming; however, a highly skilled and efficient workforce now exists. This modification in the manufacturing naturally results in increased productivity, which translates into reduced fulfillment times for the ambulance suppliers and a positive cash flow for the producer. Ambulances each provide effectiveness and comfort for the stranger who needs hospital therapy, but not everybody within the speed of the customers’ process as they proceed to their therapy.
The longer wheelbase Ford chassis ambulances provide excellent ride comfort and working space by comparison to a Ford Automotive Chassis ambulance. The added technology in its entirety is open-style LED lighting wherever possible. The long wheelbase configuration holds a significantly larger offering of 4 x 500mm length storage drawers with an overview so technicians know the one missing at a glance. Utility power points are provided throughout the patient care area and across the cabin, indicating technicians are limited to wherever they need to operate. Round-headed screws or nuts have been removed if possible to mitigate high impact-related injuries. In the past, screws and nuts have been used to scrutinize the untidy side that existed underneath.
3. Key Components and Features of Ford Type 2 Ambulances
The Ethos Ford Type 2 ambulance is an emergency ambulance vehicle of the van body type that is built on an original manufacturer’s Ford EL Transit Van cutaway 350 DRW series commercial chassis with a 3.7-liter TiVCT V6 gasoline engine. The underlying vehicle must possess sufficient chassis load carrying capacity and performance capabilities to ensure safe and efficient field operations under varied conditions and territory. Ambulance equipment, supplies, payload, attending driver and passenger, patients, and any necessary family or accompanying persons, other cargo, and materials that are present in the ambulance can influence, in some situations, the performance capability and requirements of the vehicle. Based on current statistics, a Type 0, 1, or 3 ambulance is likely to be more appropriate as a response unit in many fields of operations, except for crew chiefs, logistics, and supervisors who may be authorized to utilize a Type 2.
The concept of working space of interior layout conveys the operational design and programming features and separates the work zones. A good ambulance design organizes the modules that are necessary to treat patients into an effective, efficient, and usability-based layout. For example, the primary resuscitation equipment with its diagnostic and airway support must work well in the shock and wound management near the patient. The exterior body styling or paint color does not improve emergency vehicle performance. The manufacturer produces several cabinetry options, ranging from all aluminum, combination aluminum/stainless steel, vinyl-coated steel, or painted steel. All cabinetry is liquid tolerant and easy to clean with a non-abrasive cleaner while possessing replaceable aluminum edges, durable nylon roller or ball bearing drawer slides, and one-piece powder-coated aluminum drawer faces.
3.1. Chassis and Engine Specifications
Ford Type 2 Ambulance; The specifications of the first two significant categories of the design of an ambulance are the chassis and the engine specifications. It is important to design an ambulance based on what it is required to do in order to serve customers from different sectors of society in a high-quality manner. In high-pressure situations, such as emergency scenarios, everyone would prefer ambulances to be one thing in the first place: fast. Chassis and engine specifications for high performance can move in terms of multi-request with ease. Vehicle performance requirements can differ according to user needs. Therefore, these two issues were taken into consideration for the design to be carried out.
It was determined that the engine must have a horsepower between 200 and 400. Accordingly, it was specified that the engine torque should be between 300 and 400 lb-ft. Additionally, fuel usage is important; hence, a value of 3 to 4 miles per gallon is recommended for the vehicle. There are two critical characteristics on the chassis side. First of all, the chassis should be designed to be able to carry up to 2,000 pounds of personnel and medical equipment. Besides, the chassis needs to have a pulling capacity of 8,000 pounds or more. The power performance of the vehicle is a parameter of importance in a variety of different emergency situations where mobilization is crucial in the design of an ambulance. In this study, Type 2 ambulances are designed according to the standards of the United States of America Ambulance or Emergency Medical Services.
When it comes to the specifications of the Chevy Express and Ford Type 2 for construction, endurance, and high-performance sections, fuel efficiency and fuel costs were considered. These strength and fuel performance categories are only taken into account in the default Ford Type 2 dimensions. This situation has been adopted so that the performance of Ford Type 2 can be aligned with practical and realistic objectives. Moreover, the HDC value is considered by control when stepping on the brake pedals. Delivering a quick-to-reach full stop brought the vehicle’s performance to a critical level. The time required to put the vehicle under control within the necessary timeframe is numerically established. The details are clarified and given in numerical form in the data sheets provided. In order to ensure that a person in need is being transported efficiently, the vehicle must be durable and high-performance.
3.2. Interior Layout and Medical Equipment Integration
The design of the new Ford Type 2 ICU/VMC ambulances and MIBS is optimized for an efficient interior layout in terms of functionality, location, and easy access for medical personnel to the patient and crew areas, having all necessary medical equipment, tools, and supplies evenly arranged and distributed throughout the patient compartment. Supplies should be standardized and include mobile medical equipment such as a monitor defibrillator, bag valve masks, intraosseous access, or engine coolant. Efficient interior design can reduce patient survival rates and negative patient outcomes when they are delayed by inefficiencies in accessing the supplies in their immediate area. Adequate interior design and lighting of the patient compartment help paramedics and EMTs conduct initial assessments and provide basic emergency care to the injured with complete attention and control over the patient’s vitals. That traditional proportion is reflected in the interior ambulance layout and distribution of medical equipment.
The location of major medical equipment in the patient compartment is designed according to industry standards and the requirements of national ambulance design standards and guidelines. ICU Ford Type 2 standard medical equipment and supplies allow medical service providers to efficiently conduct basic life support and advanced life support as per common pre-hospital patient conditions or emergency disaster medical response. The location of smaller, less often required tools, such as lighting tools alongside the medical oxygen delivery tools at the curbside corner rear of the CPR seat lower cabinet, is of the patient area. The street side CPR seat mobile lower cabinet tools, such as lighting tools and electrical and more advanced life support tools, consolidated in the lower two cabinets can be accessed from two sliding doors in an even standing or seating position. This is important for the paramedic attending to the ambulance transported patient stabilization and care. To meet federal medical interior requirements and nuclear project preventive quality requirements, all metal is of stainless steel or aluminum material. Cabinets avoided any interior paint or skin coat to eliminate scratches caused by charring of the glass topcoat. Every curb and street side cabinet features a Canadian ambulance interior accessories module in landscape style, 2-inch-deep stainless 304.
Standard Assistant and Chief Nurse place interior designed layout ambulance systems for easy access to medical supplies from the patient area. Specifically, the built-in wall-mounted 2-inch-deep stainless 304 interior assist and Chief Nurse cabinet modules include height placement multi-level shelves, refrigerated stainless wall cabinetry, large-diameter oxygen flask storage, ample cut-out drawer pull handles, and O2 cylinder box mesh design for medical oxygen cylinder width strap mount routing. Safety glass clear on all cabinet-top surfaces, nitrile whaler, and bedside table from nuclear class I and II fire rating are provided. The design and detail ergonomics of the Ford 2021 Type 2 interior and ambulance patient care 8-way electrical switch systems and controlling location combinations have been tested and finalized based on the easiest practice and function handler orientation for new emergency services, such as firefighters and paramedics in simulated operations. Property settings for 8-way combo controls are by mechanical orientation upwards for switch on and electrical orientation downwards to switch off. Semiconductor employee paramedics may have dual “Center virtual target lock in sight for mechanical and electrical while “feel free” center boss turns in as they use their knee, thigh, or forearm to manipulate forward in counting mechanical and electrical steps to the defined set point. Also, silicon-dioxide drilled finger holds provide medical first responders with a firm grip to operate eight combo switch electrical components. When the control panel is on, depression, all controls simultaneously light up via a panel integrated LED providing illumination gauge.
4. Regulations and Standards in Ambulance Manufacturing
The table below mentions the existing requirements in the regulations for ambulance-type vehicles of the world countries. It is observed that all the countries use the European Union standards as a reference.
Name of the country and the body that describes the ambulance regulations and standards: Two volumes of ambulance interior: • technical standards specifies the distance between stretcher and patient treatment areas (arm, elbow, and shoulder areas).
United Kingdom, USA, Eastern Europe, the UAE, Finland, Germany, Italy. In the regulation: • R66 • C4.3.2.2. • C1.4.-A-A and A-B groups • C1.2.- absorption %; C0.- Total VLT % window film; • ABS transmittance, holders, and rearview mirrors; • e detector; • theft and robbery detector.
K-H-66-2003; • VDA 231-204; 231-205; 231-vet-105; 231-test-302; 231-test-306; 231-test-307; 1A 2318-231-test, 231 format • UNE 21 ADR 0e Lex Comentarios – SI; ADR 004 Creation; ADR 003 mail including a black casing; • C4.3.2. • C1.3.-A-A and A-B groups • C1.2.- absorption %; C0.- Total VLT
100% window film; • ABS transmittance, holders, and rearview mirrors; e detector; • robbery detector.
K-H-66-2003; • VDA 231-699-test – 3 • UNE ECE REG 21 / 22 ECE REG 0e Lex Comentarios – SI; ADR 004 Creation; ADR 003 mail including a double against black requisition; Directive 2001/85/EC; Directive 2007/43/EC; 2005/40/CE; ECE REG 65 / 00; INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT: ATIC; ATIC POLICE; ATIC POLICE – 3 – 2; ESTACIÓN; ESTACIÓN POLICE; Estaciones de servicio – C and PM FIRE; LÍNEA; LÍNEA B; PM STATION PM STATION PT.; UNE 21 ADR 0e Lex Comentarios – SI; ADR 004 Creation; ADR 003 mail including black against requisition; UNECE 63-00; 1; 633-22; 63-07; 63-08; 63-10; 63-11; 633-22 60-02.
Spain.
4.1. Safety Regulations and Compliance
Ambulances are unique vehicles used primarily for patient transportation; but they also function as medical centers during the journey. That is why ambulance vehicles are regulated by several standards. With the increasing demand for higher-quality healthcare service systems, including ambulances, the regulations for ambulance design are also increasing to meet the very highest demands. In this concept, requirements are revised periodically based on the diagnosis of medical needs, the development of medical technology, medical treatment, and changing emergency procedures; naturally, continuous assessment of ambulance specifications and design is required.
Moreover, these requirements depend on the efficiency of the healthcare system and its logistics. The standard for ambulances outlines the minimum levels of safety and essential performance requirements for ambulances, including transport compatibility and medical equipment compatibility. In addition to protection against impact forces and rollover performance, it also describes requirements for the basic patient compartment, electrical safety, ambient performance levels, and vehicle design. The standard also includes descriptions to enable medical devices to operate safely and effectively during patient transport. It outlines the requirements for the ambulance body front, the driving compartment, an ergonomic interior, doors, windows, and fittings for the body interior.
4.2. Medical Equipment Standards
Another important aspect of the design and manufacturing of ambulances is to comply with the applicable medical transport and ambulance standards. There are a large number of tests and standards that must be followed according to the country where the ambulance will operate. In the USA, certain standards must be used in all ambulances, regardless of the state. There is also an exclusive standard from the state of Colorado that ambulances can choose to be accredited instead of other standards. A mandatory standard for ambulance manufacturers operating in the US requires that some tests must be done on every ambulance regardless of compliance with the aforementioned standards.
It was with the help of various organizations that the standard was updated in 2016, providing many relevant changes in safety and improving test performance requirements that protect both patients and attendants, including testing of seat assemblies, cot support lift, and cot restraints. The good rescue work done by all the work centers not only focuses on the monitoring of the laws and standards published in the country, but also on the publication and constant update of new rules, tests, innovations, and the constant search for projects that refer to the improvement of the products, seeking the best design to meet the demands of the market. Good practices should be sought to ensure compliance with new standards and provide the complete product for final customer approval. Using the right tools for each job is the best way to achieve the goal. Assembling an ambulance is much more than assembling various elements; it is a challenge to ensure that everything comes together and finds the best solutions. Every component makes a difference, be it in design, materials, tests, inspections, or tools.
5. Future Trends and Innovations in Ambulance Design
Future Trends and Innovations in Ambulance Design
Although there have not been any significant redesign options for the Type 2, the general trends of future design could be reviewed. Technological advances have been seen in today’s environment and the future, some of which are making inroads into design while others are still a vision of the future. These would work to enhance the safety and function of the vehicle. Some view future ambulance designs from a bigger picture, including those enabled by innovations in the Internet of Things, nanotechnology, 3D printing, and four-dimensional building information models. New trends in future design should look more into future innovation drivers. The introduction of telemedicine has the potential to cut patient care costs, increase the efficiency of high-quality patient care, improve access to care, and be the market driver for intra-hospital telemetry equipment technologies into the next decade. The introduction of a pilotless and navigation-assisted vehicle has the potential to reduce vehicle accidents and fatalities between 2020 and 2030. Developing EMS systems and initial emergency care can improve the development, capabilities, and burden of assisting in narrowing the sustainable development goal. Some advancements will include the increased use of electric or hybrid ambulance vehicles, 3D printing, the use of multimaterial and snap-fits for assembly, chassis design, and bodywork simulations, which also include crash simulation. Innovation in the design of the interior of the ambulance has already come in the form of safety innovations, as seen in airbags for the patient and loading casters. Ejection capability is an emerging technology that will be seen in the future.
The rise and tradition for future ambulance design construction is utilizing fuel-efficient vehicles. Low-voltage startups and adding battery systems would enhance the sustainability of the units. Materials should include energy-absorbing materials made from recycled materials, aluminum, and lead-free solder for electronics. Another trend that will come into the market is the use of alternative sustainable energy sources such as solar and other sustainable energy sources. Unlike the vehicles of today, the 2050 vehicle will be an ambulance with the smallest carbon footprint possible. Its manufacturing and usage would shift the industry from environmental degradation to environmental solutions. It would be more efficient in the way it uses linear resources, improving efficiency, reusability, and recyclability for all stages of its life. Healthcare leaders and administrators will form future ambulances that integrate technology and facility designs that promote successful options, making it an ecosystem. Likewise, ambulance design will be viewed as a healthcare system.
5.1. Technological Advancements
A number of technological advancements that are affecting the design and operations of Ford Type 2 ambulances have been proposed. These include GPS systems, route optimization tools, and vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure communications to ensure that ambulances operating in emergency modes arrive at their destinations quickly and safely; telemedicine tools and telenetworking apps, allowing field crews to directly communicate with hospital and emergency department staff to better assure medical care starts en route rather than waiting until the patient arrives at a hospital; and the integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics to optimize routes and resources based on traffic conditions, time of day, weather, local special events, and historical call volume, among other availability.
Also worth noting are the emerging capabilities of wireless networks and cellular systems, including the communications that have been introduced by multiple carriers. Such heightened communication capabilities should greatly contribute to mobile health in terms of transmitting health data from the patient’s home to healthcare providers, transmitting behavioral information from health providers to their patients, and even sending emergency medical information to EMTs or other first responders before they arrive on scene.
Implications for EMS: The field of emergency medical services is rapidly evolving, and with those changes come an increased need for healthcare teams and emergency responders to communicate with one another, understand one another’s roles and responsibilities, and foster new operational models and clinical care pathways. Given these changes, it is particularly incumbent upon ambulance designers and manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve by incorporating the most advanced technologies and operational models into their products. It is believed that only through continuous innovation can an ambulance be created that meets the continually changing needs of modern healthcare.
5.2. Sustainability and Environmental Considerations
There is a growing movement in the manufacturing sector toward the use of sustainable or eco-friendly materials, having minimal environmental impact during their lifecycle: extraction, manufacturing, and maintenance, and methods, and toward the development of energy-efficient models to reduce their environmental impact. Such advanced models take into account life cycle assessments, or an analysis of the impact and the resources used throughout the lifespan of a product. Recent guidelines for addressing the design of hospitals and their products include minimizing the environmental impact of operations and products and using a sustainable approach to workplace design. Similarly, the EMS Compass Initiative seeks to develop performance measures that cover every area of EMS and drive improvements in patient care, service delivery, and resource management. The ultimate goal is to achieve affordable, sustainable health care, and a component of high-value, patient-centered services is accountability for caring for human, financial, and natural resources.
Going green in the design and manufacture of ambulances has become a part of the luxury camp for manufacturers selling to health care facilities and private purchasers who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Green ambulances that utilize energy-efficient technologies as their dominating asset, such as rechargeable batteries, have emitted a very low volume of VOCs and carbons when in service. While good for the environment, green ambulances may not be cost-effective due to the increased cost associated with energy-efficient products, which may limit them to operating only within niche markets. Broad consumer adoption of green materials is hampered by an underlying perception that they are more of a compromise than an advantage. However, a compelling argument has been made that there are considerable industry benefits to considering sustainability. Not only does it decrease a company’s environmental impact, but sustainable practices and technologies are proving to save money, increase efficiencies, and attract patients and employees. Such practices can also improve a company’s reputation as more consumers are becoming concerned about the potential human health consequences of environmental contamination and promoting good corporate stewardship.
