UC Davis Medical Center (UCDMC)

In 2018, the UC Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) in Sacramento, CA received the Partner for Change award from Practice Green health, the nation's leading organization for environmental safety in healthcare. The award reflects UCDMC's commitment to reducing the impact the organization has on the environment. To continue meeting this commitment, the UCDMC environmental services team introduced the Tersano Stabilized Aqueous Ozone (SAO) system for cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing. SAO is a simple, safe, and sustainable way for UCDMC to lower its environmental impact even further.

After a months-long trial to gauge the performance of the SAO system, UCDMC committed to transition from traditional cleaning chemicals to chemical-free SAO. "Our housekeepers now use SAO to clean in patient care and public areas. It's working great," explains Kelley Samarcelli, UCDMC's Director of Environmental Services

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OVERVIEW

When used as directed, the Tersano SAO system:

  • Is the industry's leading onsite generation system eliminating the purchasing, transporting, distributing, and stocking of cleaning products.
  • Reduces use of chemicals by up to 90%.
  • Decreases labor costs by increasing productivity through an all-in-one solution.
  • Protects virtually all surfaces.
  • Carries SDS of 0-0-0 meaning UCDMC staff are at zero risk from harmful chemicals.

90% of our hospital is cleaned chemical-free with SAO. We use it almost everywhere except in operating rooms and burn units.

Kelley Sammarcelli
Director of Hospital
Environmental Services

 

Opportunity   

One of the most prestigious healthcare facilities in the United States, the UC Davis Medical Center is northern California's only Level 1 Trauma Center, serving 33 counties and six million residents. The medical center actively works to reduce overall environmental impact through sustainable products, recycling programs, and other system-wide green initiatives. The environmental services group cleans 24/7 with a staff of 270.

 

Action

In January of 2018, the environmental services team was encouraged to explore safer, more sustainable maintenance methods to align with UCMDC corporate
stewardship objectives. After researching alternatives, Sammarcelli discovered that a sister healthcare facility in Florida was using SAO and finding success particularly on the maintenance of floors.

Sammarcelli's team began a trial in February of 2018 and by April had initiated a roll-out with a complete conversion by June. Says Sammarcelli, "This product
is definitely safer for our staff to use − with minimal risks. We conducted an ozone exposure study to reassure staff that SAO was safe and the tests confirmed: no risks."

The transition from chemicals to SAO was virtually seamless. The support, training, and education from Tersano was outstanding.

-Kelley Sammarcelli

Impact    

  • UCDMC has been able to eliminate three products: a floor cleaner, glass cleaner, and stainless cleaner.
  • Benefits include labour savings, financial savings, increased safety and a greater ability to meet corporate sustainability goals.
  • All-in-one solution has created program and process simplicity.
  • SAO reverts back to water and oxygen and can be disposed down the drain without negatively impacting waterways.