Healthcare Providers Honored for Integrated Pest Management Excellence

Two healthcare organizations have been named 2011 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award winners by Orkin, the IPM Institute of North America and the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) for their outstanding commitment to integrated pest management (IPM) partnerships.

IPM is an environmentally friendly pest management approach that emphasizes multiple methods of non-chemical pest control and prevention. The two winning facilities were honored for their adherence to comprehensive IPM programs that focus on vigilant sanitation, prompt adherence to structural pest management recommendations, diligent record keeping and staff participation in IPM training sessions.

"The key to any successful IPM program is partnership," says Zia Siddiqi, PhD, Orkin's director of quality systems. "The healthcare providers that we have honored this year have gone the extra mile to work with their Orkin teams to achieve pest management goals that are critical in protecting patients and staff, and surpassing Joint Commission standards."

The 2011 Gold MedalTM IPM Partner Award winners in healthcare, selected from an elite group of nominees from across the country, are:

Representatives from St. Joseph's/Candler Health System

- St. Joseph's/Candler Health System (Savannah, Ga.) - A private, faith-based, not-for-profit health system featuring two of Georgia's oldest hospitals: St. Joseph's Hospital and Candler Hospital.

Staff members at Westminster-Thurber Community  

- Westminster-Thurber Community (Columbus, Ohio) - A continuing care retirement community that offers assisted living, apartment homes, rehab, long-term care and home care.

The Gold Medal IPM Partner Awards began seven years ago as an effort by Orkin and the IPM Institute of North America to encourage the use of IPM and other environmentally friendly pest management practices. This is the first year the awards have honored healthcare providers.

"We are thrilled to welcome healthcare providers to our circle of winners this year," says Thomas Green, PhD, president of the IPM Institute of North America. "By working proactively to prevent pests and thus minimize any chemical treatments, these winners give us textbook examples of IPM done well."

AHE joins the Awards this year as a co-presenter, bringing a professional knowledge of the responsibilities and quality outcomes needed to maintain healthy communities in the health care environment.

"Sensitive healthcare environments call for sensitive pest management," says Laura Brannen, environmental consultant for AHE. "As a healthcare provider, it's critical to meet Joint Commission requirements and help your facility minimize the risk of exposure to chemicals. Our healthcare winners have really made these requirements a top priority through their successful IPM programs."