Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) is a nationally-recognized not-for-profit healthcare network that provides a wide array of high-quality, award-winning services to Lawrenceville, Duluth, Johns Creek, and the metro Atlanta, Georgia area. With roots going back more than 70 years, GMC is committed to transforming healthcare into an award-winning tradition through its dedicated staff, the latest in cutting-edge technology, and the most advanced facilities.

CHALLENGE

GMC’s environmental services had been managed by a well-known third-party company for many years. However, to continue its mission to provide the best quality healthcare to the community, they wanted to take these services to a higher level. 

To explore the other opportunities available for improving their operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service excellence, GMC decided to replace their existing management provider and considered three of the top service providers in the industry. 

After an in-depth assessment, GMC selected ABM Healthcare Support Services to elevate the standard of care and oversee their environmental services department. 

SOLUTION

ABM worked in collaboration with GMC’s executives to determine the best way to transition and upgrade these operations with maximum impact and minimal disruption. As part of the solution, ABM introduced new leading-edge equipment and technology as well as new best practice processes, programs, and training. This included implementing automated monitoring and quality systems as well as rigorous new interactive employee education and training programs. 

ABM also employed its cutting-edge infection prevention technology that redefines how to combat healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) risk for patients by augmenting traditional visual inspection and sanitation procedures with fluorescent marking and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measuring devices.

All of this was done without increasing the operating budget and servicing more square footage than the previous vendor. ABM demonstrated that by working smarter and using technology to increase efficiency and productivity they could do more with less and still be more proactive in addressing the healthcare center's needs. 

BENEFIT

With ABM efficiently overseeing all environmental services, GMC has been able to concentrate more fully on doing what they specialize in -- providing healthcare services to the community -- instead of worrying about the day-to-day headaches of hiring, training, and managing the department's more than 150 specialists and associates. 

ABM has provided management services to GMC, who considers ABM a  partner as opposed to just a third-party services provider. Under ABM's improved operations, GMC has become a showcase for environmental services excellence and achieved the following benefits:

• A more cost-effective environmental services’ department that is able to do more high-quality work over more square footage with fewer resources

• Advanced infection prevention processes that have reduced the chance of patient HAIs and raised adenosine triphosphate (ATP) cleanliness levels to an average of 92.1 

• Increased quality that has been proven through higher HCAHPS scores that are consistently in the mid-70s system-wide and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation survey scores for cleanliness was reported flawless with no errors

• Mitigated compliance risks and improved The Joint Commission (TJC) survey scores

• Improved associate education and training

• The improved environmental services processes and procedures at GMC have raised patient and employee satisfaction scores on critical industry surveys, which has increased Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements and helped generate higher revenue for the facility