The group purchasing organization Amerinet has launched a division intended to help its clients reduce energy consumption, reports Healthcare Finance News. The St. Louis-based GPO has named the division Amerinet Choice Energy Solutions, and is touting it as a way for its hospitals to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
"Our members told us they needed objective and customized information that would help them make informed energy decisions," Amerinet Vice President Mike Reid said in a statement.
Energy costs can represent 3 percent or more of a healthcare facility's operating expenses. Some larger organizations such as Kaiser Permanente have begun installing solar panels and fuel cells at its facilities to reduce consumption, but smaller organizations may be perplexed about how to proceed.
"Healthcare executives can be overwhelmed by complying with today's rules, guidelines and legislation requiring reductions in energy consumption," Reid said. "They want resources to help them increase productivity and economic competitiveness by identifying and encouraging the implementation of cost-effective energy-efficient projects."
The division is offering a variety of features, including consulting services for auditing utility bills, benchmarking of equipment to determine if it meets federal "Energy Star" guidelines, and procurement of both medical equipment and devices that are more efficient.
For more:
- read the Healthcare Finance News article
- read the Amerinet press release