LEEDing the way
Use our resources wisely
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Better bed utilization – All hospitals have to compare how they use their patient beds and meet targets or goals to ensure the highest number of patients are getting the care they need. In many areas, Niagara Health is meeting and exceeding these benchmarks, and in areas where we need to do better, we are liaising with Hamilton and other partners to get our patients access to timely care for specialty procedures and services such as angioplasty. This usually results in faster discharge home for patients.
- Reducing our Alternate Level of Care (ALC) rate – By working closely with Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) and Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre, we have improved patient flow for ALC patients, who no longer need acute hospital care but cannot safely be discharged home. A new communications board on our nursing units identifies predicted discharge dates for these patients, allowing hospital and CCAC staff to better plan for patient discharges or transfers. There are still more improvements to be made in this area for patients and their families, but our ALC efforts are moving in the right direction, meaning more patients are getting the care they need by the appropriate care providers.
- Reducing energy costs – Finding ways to save on an annual utility budget of more than $6 million means constant forecasting and review of current market conditions. A move to procure electricity and natural gas on the open market, rather than through advance bulk purchasing, has made a noticeable difference. More than $1 million has been saved in the last few years, allowing much-needed operational dollars to be used for direct patient care.
- Virtualized computer servers – More than 100 traditional computer servers to store and power a wide range of clinical software applications have been reduced to just eight servers. The electricity load, cooling cost, and space required was a budget concern so last summer the move was made to eight virtual servers feeding all seven NHS sites and Hotel Dieu Shaver. This new technology has saved more than $200,000, costs less to run and cool, takes up much less space and allows a number of software applications to reside on the same server.
By going green, the new healthcare complex being built in St. Catharines will be a healthy environment when it opens in 2013 – literally. The entire project is being developed to comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification. This is an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings and homes. As a LEED-certified building, we will reduce water and energy use, source building materials in an environmentally responsible manner, and minimize the hospital’s overall ecological footprint, not only during construction, but for the life of the building.
The LEED system recognizes performance in five key areas of human and environmental health – sustainable site planning, safeguarding water and water efficiency, energy efficiency and renewable energy, conservation of materials and resources, and indoor environmental air quality.
Examples include the creation of a conservation-based storm water management system, and the use of energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling fixtures to meet energy performance standards. «
Patient rooms in the new healthcare complex, like the one depicted here, are being designed to be energy efficient and patient friendly. For example, each room will have water-efficient showerheads, taps and toilets.
