Clinton, MD (June 18, 2008) -- Southern Maryland Hospital Center, the area’s largest full-service acute care facility and leading center for vascular, cardiac and emergency medicine, was honored today with GE Water & Process Technologies’ Return on Environment Award (ROE). The hospital was recognized for its environmental leadership, which reduced its fresh water use by more than 16 million gallons per year while simultaneously improving the hospital’s operational costs by $80,000 per year. "The decision to partner with GE on this environmentally friendly physical plant solution, was an easy one," said Michael J. Chiaramonte, the hospital's CEO. "Reduced water consumption yielded real dollar savings which was redirected to patient care and clinical services - our community commitment."
“Water conservation and reuse can be a valuable tool for hospitals to improve the overall health of the hospital, reduce fresh water use and operating costs,” said John Thompson, Regional Sales Executive, GE Water & Process Technologies. “We commend Southern Maryland Hospital Center for their environmental leadership. They are a great example of how hospitals can simultaneously achieve environmental and economic goals.”
Many hospitals and commercial institutions look to reduce water usage, environmental footprint and exposure to Legionella risks. Southern Maryland Hospital Center faced similar concerns and teamed up with GE to implement a successful water treatment program that includes advanced water treatment chemicals and remote automation technology.
The fully automated GE water treatment program allows Southern Maryland Hospital Center to remotely monitor and trend their program to ensure key parameters are on target for maximum system protection and optimal energy efficiency. In addition to the automated water treatment controllers, GE has implemented an advanced software program that allows Southern Maryland Hospital Center to monitor the energy efficiency of their chillers for improved control of operating costs.
Southern Maryland Hospital Center and GE Water & Process Technologies have partnered to develop a successful water treatment program that is good for the Hospital’s HVAC equipment and good for the environment. The Hospital and GE continue to look for exciting and innovative ways to reduce water consumption and operating costs through projects such as: advancements in boiler automation and water treatment, water reuse and alternative makeup water sources for HVAC equipment.
Recently, GE also announced its own commitment to reduce its fresh water use by 20% by 2012. The new initiative is one of the world’s most aggressive corporate water targets to date and is expected to free up 2 billion U.S. gallons of fresh water a year -- enough water to fill more than 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. GE expects to implement water reuse technologies and/or process efficiencies at over 100 company facilities to meet the absolute water reduction target. GE is using this same portfolio of water-saving solutions to help customers, like Southern Maryland Hospital Center, reduce water footprints and operational costs.
Founded in 1977 by Francis P. Chiaramonte, M.D., Southern Maryland Hospital Center is a 358-bed full service hospital serving the Southern Maryland areas. Additionally, SMHC operates a state-of-the-art twenty-four bed subacute unit. Throughout SMHC’s history, it has remained a community leader, a strong supporter of health care education, and a dedicated advocate for quality health care services.
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