Building Automation System maximizes energy efficiency in surgical suites.

Press Release Summary:



Integrating hospital's building automation system with surgery scheduling, Healthcare Environment Optimization(TM) software optimizes air exchange rates and energy use. Program translates and routes data from surgery scheduling to BAS and determines which HVAC system mode should be used. In surgery mode, HVAC system achieves minimum number of air changes every hour per industry standards. In setback mode, air changes may be reduced to 25% of suggested values when operating room is unoccupied.



Original Press Release:



Johnson Controls Launches Healthcare Environment Optimization



Johnson Controls launches Healthcare Environment Optimization(TM) for maximum energy efficiency of surgical suites

Integration of building automation with surgery scheduling ensures reduced energy, operational costs

MILWAUKEE - As healthcare organizations seek additional ways to optimize efficiencies while enhancing patient care, Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) announces a new offering to reduce energy consumption in surgical environments. Johnson Controls Healthcare Environment Optimization(TM) integrates a hospital's building automation system with surgery scheduling to optimize air exchange rates and energy use - with projected annual savings of up to $10,000 in each operating room.

Historically, the operating room's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system uses a substantial amount of energy to effectively ventilate and eliminate airborne contaminants. "Typically, a high volume of air is being moved through the operating room around-the-clock, even when the room is vacant. This wastes energy and valuable dollars, but with Healthcare Environment Optimization, we can now control the air flow in an efficient and safe manner," said Richard Smith, director, healthcare, Johnson Controls.

Developed through a collaboration with HDR, an architecture, engineering and consulting firm, Healthcare Environment Optimization translates and routes data from surgery scheduling to the building automation system and determines which of the two HVAC system modes should be used: surgery or setback.

When the system is in surgery mode, the HVAC system achieves a minimum number of air changes every hour per industry or local authority standards. In setback mode, most regulatory entities state that air changes may be reduced to 25 percent of suggested values when the operating room is unoccupied. "Healthcare Environment Optimization enables our customers to capture this opportunity to reduce energy usage and operational costs based on real-time surgical schedules, which we all know can change on a rapid basis," said Smith.

Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Ind. is a beta test site for the new software solution. The hospital's new five-story, 500,000-square-foot facility features a surgical suite comprised of 10 operating rooms and is currently installing the new Healthcare Environment Optimization solution in conjunction with Innovative Workflow Technologies (IWT), the hospital's system integrator. The surgical scheduling system will integrate with the Metasys® building management system.

"We are the largest provider of health services between Indianapolis and St. Louis, and in order to continuously improve and expand our services, we must strive for the most efficient operations at all levels," said Dave Snapp, facilities director, Union Hospital. "The surgical environment is especially sensitive and corners can never be cut. Through Healthcare Environment Optimization, we expect to reduce our energy use and operational costs, but more importantly, we plan to do so while maintaining an uncompromising surgical environment for our patients and clinical staff."

With Healthcare Environment Optimization, the HVAC system operates at a reduced rate at the appropriate time. The new offering also provides:

o The ability to track air exchange rates and temperatures for recordkeeping purposes.

o An optional user interface display which gives surgical and facility staff control of the room conditions, including a manual override to adjust temperature.

o Real-time alarms which allow occupants to immediately address HVAC system problems.

o The ability to earn credits toward LEED® and ENERGY STAR® certifications.

Healthcare Environment Optimization can integrate with the Metasys® building management system or other building automation systems, increasing the flexibility of the installation process.

Johnson Controls will demonstrate the benefits of Healthcare Environment Optimization at the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) Annual Conference in Seattle, Wash., from July 17 to 20. Attendees are invited to booth #607 to learn more.

For more information about Johnson Controls Healthcare Environment Optimization, visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/healthcare.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

About HDR

For nearly 50 years, HDR has delivered award-winning integrated healthcare planning and design for some of the world's foremost medical centers and health systems. HDR has been named the No. 1 Healthcare Design firm by Modern Healthcare for an unprecedented eight consecutive years, designing more than 27.6 million-square-feet of healthcare space with $6.6 billion in completed construction projects in 2010. HDR realizes that our leadership position carries with it responsibility-a responsibility to serve not only as design innovators, but also a responsibility to take a visionary view of an industry that touches nearly every person from nearly every walk of life. For more information, visit www.hdrinc.com.

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Johnson Controls

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Johnson Controls Energy Solutions Healthcare

http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/healthcare

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