Products with Less Chlorides Now Used on Hospital Sidewalks, Parking Lots
Winter ended months ago, but Steve Sazama is still excited about the results Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah saw using a new, Earth-friendly system to remove ice and snow from the hospital’s sidewalks and parking lots.
Sazama, facilities manager, said the hospital used a combination of liquid deicers, anti-icing liquids and pretreated ice-melt made of corn and soybeans. He got the idea after attending a seminar and learning about anti-icing options that contain less chlorides. Using less salt was important since Theda Clark is so close to the river, he added.
“We had a lot of success with the new system last year,” Sazama said. “We reduced slips and falls on our sidewalks, which was our top goal. We saved money at the same time and were treating the environment well by using products with less chlorides in them.”
To use the new materials, the hospital switched from a rotary spreader to a drop spreader.
“Last winter, we used both salt and the new deicers since we wanted to make sure it worked as well since patient and staff safety was the top concern,” Sazama said. “We didn’t have any problems with it and everything worked well.”
By making the switch, Theda Clark saved nearly $12,000. Additional savings are expected this winter since only the new de-icers and ice melt will be used, Sazama said.
ThedaCare sustainability leader Paul Linzmeyer said he was impressed with Sazama’s initiative to try out the new product. He said it’s another example of the health system’s culture of sustainability.
“ThedaCare employees are able to think more widely and deeply about all aspects and the impacts of every decision they make,” Linzmeyer said. “This culture is further enhanced by our values of thirsting for knowledge, being courageous and loving what we do.”
Sazama said using the new spreaders has also led to less product waste. “We can be more direct where we want the product to go. With salt, it all goes all over,” he said.
This winter, other ThedaCare facilities will begin incorporating the liquid deicers, anti-icing liquids and pretreated ice melt to keep their properties clear of ice and snow, Linzmeyer said.
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,800 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 35 clinics in 14 counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. Construction of ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton and ThedaCare Medical Center – Shawano is underway. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
