The pharmacy operates largely paperless, for example.

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Paperless Hospital

The UKE is the first-ever university hospital in Europe to implement a comprehensive electronic patient record, thereby enabling a paperless hospital routine.

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All About Bicycles

There are many cyclists among UKE employees. The UKE has already been recognized as Hamburg's most bicycle-friendly employer. We ensure that sufficient bicycle parking spaces are available.

Since October 2021, bicycle leasing has also been available.

Dr. Bike is a bicycle repair shop on the UKE premises, where the employees can have their bikes repaired at a reduced rate.

Regular coding campaigns are held to prevent theft. Interested parties can also have their bikes washed.

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Reusable Cups and Bowls

At Health Kitchen bistros, coffee lovers can order their take-away beverage in RECUP (a deposit/reusable cup) or bring their own clean insulated cup. This saves 10 cents per drink and protects the environment. The introduction of the deposit system will saved more than 5,000 disposable paper cups per month at the UKE.

Since months, it is also possible to take-away food in reusable REBOWL bowls. The bowls cost a 5 Euro deposit and are available in two sizes. They have lids, ensuring airtight and leak-proof transport and are alsodishwasher- and microwave-safe (without lids). They can be returned to all participating cafés and restaurants.

combined heat and power unit

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Energy Management at the UKE

A successful system: According to DIN EN ISO 50001, the energy savings targets of the UKE-wide energy management system have been significantly exceeded, every year since 2016. The combined heat and power plant ensures the avoidance of approximately 4,000 tons of CO2 annually.

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Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)

At the UKE, all supply processes (supply chain) are organized in a structured manner. The supply chain in the central hospital buildings of the UKE is handled by an emission-free, driverless transport system (AGV) that delivers the products automatically to the wards in a needs-based manner for patient care.

The AGV system controls all goods flows, such as supplying the connected areas with medical supplies, sterile goods, empties for the disposal of glass and infectious waste, food, beverages, pharmacy items, and laundry. Waste disposal in these areas is also handled by the AGV system.

The AGV covers a 2.5-kilometer route network. Thirty three TransCars are used to carry out the transport. Order management is carried out using an automatic identification system (RFID) and the Wi-Fi network is used for navigation.

Three hundred fifty stainless steel universal containers and 600 laundry containers are available for supply and disposal. The containers and boxes are cleaned after each transport using the box and container washing system integrated into the overall process. On an average, 1,000 transports are carried out daily using the AGV.

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Wildflower Meadow

UKE has in total approximately 80,000 m² of green space, which is home to numerous plants and over 900 trees. A wildflower meadow was created for the first time in 2021 to promote biodiversity. As part of this pilot project, the near-natural redesign created a diverse range of native wild plants. It provides habitat for numerous insect species, for which a ready-to-use insect hotel was subsequently installed.

The conversion of additional areas into wildflower meadows is planned. Currently, two beehives are monitored and maintained by employees with beekeeping experience.

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Iodine Recycling

Since July 2023, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), with its Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, has been participating in take-back program for unused X-ray contrast media by a company named Bracco.

At the state-of-the-art recycling plant in Marbach am Neckar, the element iodine is recovered from unused residues of X-ray contrast media.

The recovered iodine is used to produce various iodine salts, which are currently primarily used in the chemical industry. By collecting and returning unused contrast media residues, waste of iodine contrast media and the discharge of iodine contrast media into hospital wastewater is reduced and the limited resource of iodine is used efficiently.

Between July 2023 and May 2025, UKE returned a total of 11 canisters with a total weight of 85.6 kilograms. Participation in this program contributes to the implementation of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular: Goals 6 (Clean Water), 12 (Waste Prevention and Recycling), and 14 (Protection of Marine Habitats).