Hospitals today face unprecedented challenges, from global infectious disease outbreaks and increased regulations to budget and staffing constraints. What some healthcare administrators may not realize, however, is that the right hospital environmental services (EVS) partner can be an integral part of the solution in many of these areas.
- New Regulations. Ever-changing legislation impacts how facilities operate, receive reimbursements, and deliver services. Many of these regulations focus on infection prevention. For example, pending legislation includes value-based care (VBC) reforms, which will tie Medicare and some Medicaid reimbursements to overall patient care and satisfaction by 2030. The best hospital EVS partners provide their staff with ongoing training, including updates on new and pending healthcare legislation, to ensure the facility remains compliant—allowing other hospital staff to focus on their core duties.
- Workforce Shortages. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a shortage of over one million nurses by the end of 2024, with similar shortages predicted for doctors, medical technicians, and administrative staff. Employee burnout from being overworked further exacerbates this issue, leading to high turnover rates. These shortages result in increased patient morbidity and mortality, higher healthcare costs, and decreased patient satisfaction. Collaboration between EVS and nursing teams can help alleviate some of these challenges. For instance, morning meetings between EVS and nursing staff can streamline room turnover by aligning patient discharge schedules with cleaning workflows. Additionally, many EVS supervisors assist nurses with rounds, helping to meet patient needs—such as fetching additional pillows or adjusting TVs—while freeing up nurses to focus on critical care.
- Safety. EVS plays a critical role in maintaining hospital safety by cleaning and disinfecting to prevent the spread of infection. Beyond cleaning, trained EVS technicians can identify and report safety hazards—such as broken furniture, faulty lighting, or leaking faucets—before they escalate into more significant issues.
- Patient Outcomes. Studies show that clean environments promote faster healing. Furthermore, EVS technicians trained in empathy can positively impact patient satisfaction, leading to improved outcomes, reduced readmissions, and fewer malpractice claims. These benefits also enhance the work lives of nurses and other hospital staff.
- Financial Concerns. Hospitals face significant expenses related to equipment, supplies, and labor. The best EVS providers continually seek innovative technologies, equipment, and supplies to improve efficiency, boost productivity, and reduce costs. Some even have dedicated product divisions that help hospitals lower supply costs further.
- Sustainability. Patients, visitors, staff, and stakeholders increasingly expect hospitals to operate sustainably and reduce their carbon footprint. An EVS provider can make a meaningful impact by using effective, eco-friendly products and processes. Top providers often hold green certifications, such as the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) with Honors, and publish annual environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports to showcase their sustainability efforts. Partnering with a sustainable EVS provider helps hospitals demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility.
- Diversity. The Hospital Supplier Diversity Program encourages partnerships with suppliers certified as minority, LGBTQ+, or disabled veteran business enterprises. Partnering with an EVS provider certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as woman-owned and operated is an easy way to enhance procurement diversity. An EVS provider with strong diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) policies also reinforces a hospital’s commitment to fostering an inclusive culture.
- Communication. Effective communication is vital for hospital operations, yet differences in language, priorities, and professional cultures can create barriers. The best EVS providers are adept at transitioning new accounts and fostering teamwork, ensuring alignment with the hospital’s goals.
- Stress. Hospital administrators often work long hours under tremendous pressure. With so many responsibilities, maintaining the facility’s cleanliness and safety shouldn’t be an added burden. The right EVS provider can alleviate this stress, allowing administrators to focus on other priorities
Servicon: A Leading Hospital EVS Partner
Servicon is a leading partner of EVS and commercial cleaning services, specializing in healthcare, life sciences, aerospace, and facility maintenance.
At Servicon, we live by our purpose to elevate the industry and provide healthy environments for people to thrive. As a privately held, woman-owned and operated company, we are driven by our vision of creating a better working future. We succeed by doing right by our people and the communities where we live and work. To learn more about Servicon, please contact us.
