Healthier Healing
(Muskogee, Okla.) -- Since breaking ground in 2007, Muskogee Community Hospital has had a vision for a healthier community, for both their patients and the environment. The 100,000 square foot, 45-bed acute care facility, financed by SpiritBank, has garnered attention nationwide for its efficiency. The state-of-the-art building was designed to be the first hospital in the nation to earn the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star, which is given only to the top 25% of energy-efficient buildings nationwide.
The decision to go green blossomed from a recommendation by Tulsa-based architecture firm Bates, LZW to consider geothermal energy to heat and cool the hospital. As hospital president, Mark Roberts, got more involved in green research he saw how sustainable and environmental-friendly options were not only better for the patient but also for the earth.
Installing geothermal heat pumps was a costly expenditure for the hospital upfront but the long-term advantages of this decision will cut down their heating bill by 90% and their air conditioning costs by 45%. There is also the advantage that the heat pump system creates a redundancy that is not available in traditional heating and cooling units, which usually cover a very large area of the hospital. Each individual room has its own unit, allowing for greater efficiency and sterilization. UV lights are installed in the air intake units, eliminating 99% of all bacteria in the air. Since UV light is effective not only at disinfecting but also at sterilization, UV lights were installed in the overhead lighting system in the operating rooms and procedure rooms. When light hits the surface bacteria is killed, reducing the chance of infection for the patient.
Every decision from floor to ceiling, literally, was made with the patient in mind. The ceiling grid is made of recycled steel and ceiling tiles made of recycled materials. The hospital floors in the public areas are covered in either recycled carpet or rapidly renewable flooring, which is softer and reduces sound in the room. The sheets are made of modal, an extremely soft, antimicrobial fabric regenerated from Beechwood trees. Even the stains and paints used in the building are low-VOC, meaning that harmful solvents that cause acute symptoms are reduced. According to Roberts, the warm atmosphere has gotten a great reaction from the patients, some who even say they feel like they are breathing better in the hospital.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the patients also benefit by receiving treatment at a physician-owned hospital. According to Roberts, “when the physician’s are owners, not employees, if they do not do what is best for the patients they will not get new patients.” The hospital is run with an entrepreneurial mindset with the end “customer” always in mind.
Through the construction of the building, about $16 million was pumped into the Muskogee economy through contractors and labor force, with over 300 jobs created. Wednesday Moore, Assistant Vice President of Commercial Lending at SpiritBank, stated that “SpiritBank is very proud to work with Muskogee Community Hospital on bringing a first-class healthcare facility to the community and helping stimulate the local economy.” With the completion of construction in March of 2009, the hospital should still have a big effect on the City of Muskogee. Over $6 million in annual payroll is estimated and according to Roberts, “as people have more health care choices, patients may stay in Muskogee for care. Those in surrounding towns now have an option outside of the larger cities. 64% of Medicare patients took their business outside of Muksogee and, ideally, these patients can stay here for healthcare.” Roberts acknowledges that this will have a huge impact on the city by bringing in city revenues as people eat, stay and shop in Muskogee.
For more information on Muskogee Community Hospital, please visit www.mch-ok.com.
SpiritBank, a community bank based in Bristow, Okla., has branch locations statewide. The bank, founded in 1916, has assets exceeding $1 billion and more than 350 employees. The bank’s commitment to customer success is reflected in its advertising, which features actual bank customers.