First-ever LEED rating for healthcare

The U.S. Green Building Council has introduced the first-ever green building rating system for the healthcare industry, the council announced at the CleanMed conference. The LEED rating system addresses healthcare's unique green building needs as it guides the design and construction of new buildings and renovation of existing ones--including inpatient and outpatient facilities, medical offices, and medical education and research centers. "Research has shown that when we are treated and heal in a green healthcare facility--one that has a healthy indoor environmental quality and connects us to the outdoors--we heal faster, have shorter hospital stays and fewer return visits," notes LEED, USGBC Vice President Scot Horst. Announcement