CORPORATE
Social Responsibility
Recognizing its environmental responsibilities and commitments, Papageorgiou Hospital has undertaken particular initiatives to improve resource management and reduce its total environmental imprint.
Bioclimatic Design
bioclimatic architecture
The first public hospital in Greece built in accordance with bioclimatic architecture standards uses 30% less energy than standard hospitals, translating to operating cost savings of thousands of euros. This is made possible by the use of a building complex that is aesthetically pleasing, cozy, and user-friendly.
With the development of building volumes in height staggered, the massing of the buildings aids in self-shading and the free flow of air, acting as a barrier to the northern cold air streams.
An orientation towards the south, together with the proper positioning of passive sun protection systems, aids in the intended year-round utilization of solar radiation.
Skylights provide natural lighting while planted indoor patios with deciduous trees and shaded covered outdoor pathways ensure natural ventilation and cooling. These features all help to create the right microclimate.
The typical clinical ward is divided by a longitudinal corridor. The outside walls are more than twice as high as typical walls, which provides the shell with exceptional long-term thermal insulation.
Ceiling fans paired with tilting skylights lessen the need for pre-conditioned air from spring to autumn by providing night-time cooling.
In addition to their great mechanical strength and quality, the construction materials offer smooth surfaces for easy cleaning and preventing microbiological retention. Nonslip flooring, sound-absorbing suspended ceilings to reduce noise and sound reflections, and the building's acoustics all contribute to a pleasant working environment. Following the design concept of the building, the colors and materials were chosen with the intention of creating a welcoming and pleasant environment.
INFRASTRUCTURE, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
INFRASTRUCTURE ENERGY UPGRADING
The energy improvement of the hospital's external shell is currently underway. The modifications involve minor changes to the building's exterior shell, such as the inclusion of shading systems and the replacement of inpatient ward and main entrance glazing with new, modern, energy class and certified thermal transmittance glazing. Interventions with planted light structures and green zones are also envisaged.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
By dividing recyclable waste into distinct streams and directing them toward recycling or alternative management through partnerships with private businesses and SEDs, Papageorgiou Hospital supports the circular economy model. The waste produced by the Health Unit has been converted into 10 streams of useful materials.
All staff categories receive ongoing training, as well as instructions and briefings on-site, in order to achieve the goals of proper waste management.
PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE
The pharmaceutical waste generated by our hospital's activities, including research protocols, is delivered to a cooperating licensed company and incinerated under the code EKA 18 01 09, as required by European and Greek legislation.
To that end, red-colored packaging with appropriate specifications has been placed at the points of origin of the aforementioned waste, along with instructions for proper sorting.
EXPERIMENTAL SURGERY WASTE
The waste generated by the Experimental Surgery is managed in accordance with KYA 146163/2012, as amended and in force, as well as the relevant clarifying bulletins.
