MDNews - Minnesota

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + +++ +LOCAL HEALTH UPDATE U +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Energy-Saving Pilot Program Yields POSITIVE Results for Ridgeview Medical Center C AN SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS be saved by getting people to change their behaviors regarding energy use? That was the question asked as part of an innovative pilot program launched at Ridgeview Medical Center in spring 2012. The goal of the pilot, funded by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, was to test whether a systematic program to raise awareness and engage employees would actually change employee behavior and consequently save Ridgeview Medical Center money. Class 5 Energy, based in White Bear Lake, MN, brought its expertise in behavior-based energy programs with K-12 schools to hospitals like Ridgeview Medical Center. Ridgeview, for its part, provided a team of employees and commitment from its leadership to support the pilot and adapt the program from a school setting to a health care setting. "R idgev iew ha s been a leader in sustainability programs and has a national reputation in the health care community for its commitment to environmental responsibility. So, they were a natural partner for this pilot," says Amy Anderson, general manager for Class 5 Energy. "And the great results that have been achieved with this pilot only reinforce that excellent reputation." To monitor the pilot, Class 5 Energy tracks Ridgeview Medical Center's gas and electric bills with its utility tracking software and provides the hospital quarterly reports. For the most recent three months of tracking, Ridgeview Medical Center had an overall savings of 16% on its energy bills, which equated to more than $41,000 in avoided costs. Eleven of 13 buildings saw reductions, some as high as a 25% reduction in energy use. According to Robert Stevens, President and CEO of Ridgeview Medical Center, "This has been an organization-wide effort, across all of our hospital and clinic buildings, through which all employees have been asked to see energy as a controllable cost and to do their part to reduce consumption and improve efficiency. These results show that their collective efforts have resulted in real savings for Ridgeview while also being good stewards of the environment." Some successful aspects of the Ridgeview Medical Center pilot have included: + recruiting an employee representative, known as an EPA (Energy Protection Agent), in each department to provide education and encourage participation; + adding automatic timers to equipment — such as copy machines and other nonpatient care equipment — that can be shut off during non-use hours; and + creating a steering committee of crossdepartmental representatives throughout Ridgeview Medical Center to lead the effort and measure impact. About Ridgeview Medical Center Ridgeview Medical Center is an independent, regional health care network serving the West Metro area. Its award-winning network includes the Waconia-based acute-care hospital, numerous primary and specialty care clinics, emergency services, specialty programs and Two Twelve Medical Center in Chaska. For more information about Ridgeview Medical Center and its clinics, visit www.ridgeviewmedical.org. For more information about Ridgeview Medical Center's role in the pilot program, please email Todd Wilkening, Director of Facility Services, Ridgeview Medical Center, at todd.wilkening@ ridgeviewmedical.org. About Class 5 Energy Class 5 Energy is a private company based in White Bear Lake that provides consulting and product services related to behavior-based energy-saving programs. Class 5 Energy has been successful in reducing energy costs by more than $25 million in more than 750 buildings since it began working in this field in 2003. Source: Ridgeview Medical Center

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