It's the job of Alan Lee, Administrative Director of Information and Guest Services, Environmental Services, and Operator Services for HUMC, to oversee housekeeping. He says, "HUMC is totally committed to the GTC program. I came on board about a year after the transition to GTC products was made and from that day to this, when you come to Hackensack University Medical Center, it doesn't smell like you're in a hospital. To me, that is the sweet smell of success."

While most of HUMC's buildings are cleaned by on-staff employees, some cleaning services are provided by outside contractors. "It's stipulated in those contracts that the outside vendors must use GTC products. And not surprisingly, they're happy to do so," Mr. Lee noted.

Yes, disinfectants are used, as needed, in conjunction with the GTC Program

"I want people to understand that the GTC products are not the only cleaning products we use," Mr. Lee observed. "There are situations in the hospitals that call for the use of a disinfectant. Many hospitals use bleach-based disinfectants, which are very harsh. The one we use at HUMC is TBQ from Steris, an EPA approved quaternary-ammonia based product. We use TBQ, as a disinfectant, in concert with GTC products in all patient rooms during terminal cleaning, so we do both a thorough and environmentally responsible jobs. Since HUMC has had one of the best outcome records for any hospital over the last five years, that's proof using GTC products does not compromise our patients' health. In fact, GTC has helped contribute to those better outcomes, so the products are time-tested and proven," Mr. Lee added.



2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region-2 Quality Award

HUMC has received many awards for excellence in healthcare. The GTC program has added to that total. In 2006, the regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized both Hackensack University Medical Center and The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology for their contributions to environmental health. And in April, 2008 the New Jersey Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council bestowed its first Green Product Award on the Greening the Cleaning line of non-toxic commercial cleaners.

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