BCHS 1 of 12 hospitals in U.S. to be
recognized for reducing energy consumption
The American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE)
recognized Battle Creek Health System recently for its
efforts in reducing energy consumption. BCHS is one of
only ten hospitals in the United States to receive this
honor and the only one in Michigan.
ASHE's energy efficiency commitment encourages hospitals
across the country to support the goals of the Environmental
Protection Agency's 'Energy Star Challenge,' and to reduce
their energy consumption by 10 percent--BCHS exceeded
that number.
Some of the initiatives made included:
--re-engineering the primary chilled water supply pumps-doubling
their gallons-per-minute output, which in turn reduced
the number of chillers and pumps needed to supply adequate
cooling to the buildings.
--fine tuning the flame controls and installing a computerized
control on the boiler
--maximizing the efficiencies of the building heating/ventilation/air
conditioning systems
"This award is very significant to BCHS and for
our state because the changes and improvements we've
made allow us to diminish the carbon footprint on our
environment," says Paul Ratliff, BCHS director of
engineering. "These changes will help the community
where we live and work."
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent
organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic
health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing
homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care
agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS
Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission
on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle
Creek Health System is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades
Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five
Star rated for joint replacement surgery and total knee
replacement. HealthGrades is a leading health care information
company that provides objective 'report card' ratings
nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the
community and promotes wellness for the whole person
with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical
information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com
or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
(L-R) Denise Brooks-Williams, BCHS president and CEO
accepts the ASHE energy reduction award from Rob Chaplin,
facilities manager and Paul Ratliff, director of engineering
at the hospital. BCHS is one of only ten health care
providers in the U.S. to receive this national award,
and the only one in Michigan.
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