Micro-Managing the Cost of Green Technology: Microfiber Mops Pass the Test at Denver Health

Background: There have been many compelling cases made for the use of microfiber technology in healthcare settings, but none so comprehensive as a “Lean” study performed by Crothall EVS Director Jonathan Porzondek. He and his team were supported by efforts at his client site Denver Health Hospital Authority as well as Crothall’s “Penny 4 Your Thoughts” initiative, which rewards Crothall associates for cost-savings ideas. While pros far outweigh cons, the cleaning industry still expends a lot of effort justifying microfiber’s initial higher cost.

According to Crothall National Director of Standards and
Systems Rich Feczko, it has been difficult to prove that
microfiber industry test results could be duplicated in an
ordinary healthcare setting. However, when clients are
interested, Crothall has been making the move to microfiber.

Testing at Denver Health: At Denver Health, the Toyota Production System “Lean”
tools were already in use to reduce waste. According to
Crothall client Pete Gutierrez, “Lean” and “Green” ideas
to reduce, recycle, and reuse came together as Jonathan
Porzondek performed his microfiber pilot test. Applying
Lean’s “Rapid Improvement Event” (“RIE”), where
employees apply a rigorous tool set toward improving a
specific process, Porzondek’s team was able to record
significant savings.

The RIE required Porzondek and his team to map out the
process and capture various baseline measures as a first step. They monitored and measured the cost, time, materials, and effort expended in the current practice of regular loop mopping. “Wastes” included, but were not limited to:

• Waiting for the bucket to fill with water
• Time and distance walking back and forth to the sink

The team then captured the same data when utilizing
microfiber mops. This “Value Stream” showed some amazing metrics, which quantified cost savings that would please any hospital CFO. (See Denver Health Metrics)

The RIE also required a valid measurement of quality. For this, Porzondek and his team showed a “first pass yield” test following each of four types of microfiber and loop mopping techniques. Microfiber wet mopping clearly
yielded the best results.

Microfiber mop buckets are filled only once, with 2 gallons of water, but microfiber mops are each used for only one room to prevent cross-contamination. A 2002 study showed that a cotton-loop mop required 21 gallons of water and 10.5 ounces of chemical per day, while a microfiber mop uses only 1 gallon of water and a half ounce of chemicals per day. “Perhaps more significant than the 97% reduction in chemicals was the 87% reduction in steps and the 98% reduction in lifted weight,” commented Gutierrez. Both Gutierrez and Feczko look forward to Porzondek’s testing at all eight of Denver Health’s community health centers.

Denver Health Metrics

To determine savings in your facility, Crothall has a Microfiber Savings Calculator available. Email GreenChoices@Crothall.com to inquire.