Healthcare Executive - September/October 2013 - 31

number and type of temperature-related calls nurses

come to the hospital from another state, addressing the

received, a new idea surfaced to also give patients control

challenges of the local water was also a priority.

of their room temperatures. Patients undergoing chemotherapy and other cancer treatments are often quite sensi-

“With Trane, we have installed a new water filtration sys-

tive to temperature due to their immunocompromised

tem and integrated it with our building automation sys-

state. Thus, Trane collaborated with Skylight Health

tem to help us meet the needs of our national patient

Systems to integrate the technologies both organizations

population,” says Staren. “Proper water filtration has

offered. The result is a system that allows patients to man-

great relevance to our humidity and ventilation systems.

age room temperature to their own comfort via the easy-

But it is also another important component of the healing

to-use television interface.

process that needs to function at optimal levels.”

From a productivity standpoint, this new technology frees

Given the geographical factors that play into CTCA’s

nursing staff from handling temperature-related calls so

Western facility, and the circumstances of the specific

they can focus on clinical needs. But even more importantly,

patient population it serves, creating and maintaining a

it provides patients yet another element of control. “With a

physical environment that meets the needs of patients first

cancer diagnosis, our patients are already suffering from a

is a challenging priority. But Trane’s experience, expertise

circumstance in which they are not empowered and feel

and insight have proven valuable in helping Western meet

vulnerable,” says Edgar D. Staren, MD, PhD, president and

its goals.

CEO of CTCA at Western. “It is critical to the healing process to give some element of control back to our patients.

“Trane has collaborated with us to ensure that our envi-

The more we can do to accomplish this, even in what might

ronment is consistently optimal for our patients,” says

seem to be the smallest circumstances, the more our

Staren. “With Trane’s help, we know that our patients

patients feel in control of their situation.”

will be comfortable when they receive therapies that
are oftentimes quite uncomfortable or when they are

While the Southwest region of the United States in which

recovering from those treatments in their own rooms.

CTCA’s Western facility is located is typically viewed as a

Wherever our patients are in our facility, we want the

healing environment, the geography of the area poses chal-

physical environment to also contribute to their healing

lenges when it comes to water management. The mineral

process.”

content of the local water makes it “hard” on the sensitive
skin of cancer patients and less palatable to anyone unfamil-

For the health of your buildings, your patients and your

iar with it. Although Arizona residents are accustomed to

staff, Trane’s 100-year legacy of industry leadership and

the taste, patients and caregivers from other parts of the

dedicated team of healthcare experts delivers the out-

country may find it difficult to use. Given that the average

comes you require. For more information, contact Laura

patient at Western travels more than 500 miles each way to

Rygielski Preston, FACHE, vice president, Global

receive treatment and more than 70 percent of all patients

Healthcare Practice, Trane, at Lrygielski@trane.com.

Advertorial sponsored by Trane Global Healthcare Practice

Healthcare Executive - September/October 2013

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