The Link – February, 2010

America’s Leader in Entrance Systems Finds a Cure For Medical Center’s Woes

Medical Center of Central Georgia (Macon, GA)

The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) is a 600-bed, full-service, acute care, regional medical center and teaching hospital that serves an estimated population of 750,000 residents. Recognized nationally for excellence, MCCG has a trauma center equipped to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries in order to give them the best possible chance for survival and recovery. A new building and helipad are being added to the campus.

CHALLENGES
Numerous healthcare facilities with multiple door types Unreliable pneumatic doors and slow-swinging doors not suitable for stretch traffic, bed traffic, and trauma situations Difficult-to-repair broken doors Specialty needs addressing catheterization laboratory issues, patient privacy, noise reduction, cross corridors
and entrances Life safety tied to security, fire and alarm systems

SOLUTIONS
Standardized door types and manufacturer State-of-the-art automatic slide and swing doors that are easy to install and monitor Automated doors that are easy to use and repair with the longest life cycle Reliable doors for all applications – entries, ICU, trauma, labs, corridors and patient floors Safe doors for visitors and patients, tied to life safety systems

RESULTS
Quick response, easy installation Trained technicians and doors integrated with security, fire and alarm system
Simple, dependable operation No complaints or claims Reduced price and longest life cycle

Automated Door System Integration Delivers Steadfast Savings and Safety The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) provides extensive healthcare services to the citizens of Macon, Georgia. Founded in 1895 as the Macon Hospital, MCCG is committed to high quality seamless care. Three of its programs – cardiac care, neurology, and orthopedics – have earned five-star national ratings.

As a result of having multiple door types that were unreliable, not suitable for healthcare applications, and difficult to repair, MCCG leadership chose to update its facility with automated doors. GYRO TECH™ by NABCO ENTRANCES was chosen to provide the facility’s slide and swing doors for all of its applications - catheterization labs, cross corridors, ICU and entrances. Forty-six GT1175 slide doors and GT swing doors tie into MCCG’s life safety system, including security, fire and alarm-with-battery backup. “In healthcare, all safety systems have to tie into our doors,” states Ricky Lyster, Director of Facilities Maintenance at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. “We have lockdown wards for children with badge swipe and security. Safety standards are matched and testing is done to assure the doors work properly. GYRO TECH took responsibility for matching our code safety standards, which saves a lot of time and trouble down the road,” Lyster adds.

Trauma and Traffic Tough on Equipment Designated by the Georgia Department of Human Resources as the only Level One Trauma Center in Central Georgia (and one of only four in the state), the Emergency Center at MCCG treats an estimated 55,000 patients annually. There are many tight spaces with high traffic that are tough on equipment. “We need doors that provide easy access, are reliable and easy to use. GYRO TECH’s automatic doors have become our standard for stretch traffic, bed traffic, and the quickness you need for trauma situations,” notes Lyster.

Specialty Solutions Reduce Noise, Boost Privacy and Traffic Patterns GYRO TECH’s automated door systems addressed MCCG’s specialty needs, including patient privacy, noise reduction and improved traffic patterns for cross corridors, entrances and catheterization laboratories.

The hospital requested design help and best solutions for retrofitting these areas. “GYRO TECH and their distributor, Larry Munn, from Door Specialties of Georgia, were the best choice by far. They looked at our specialty needs and provided solutions that addressed each of them,” boasts Lyster.

Automated slide doors replaced swinging doors in the high tower building and catheterization labs. Stretchers no longer get caught in swinging doors and the sliders provide more room for traffic. After replacing three doors at the lab entrance, privacy and loudness are no longer an issue. “We have no complaints from anyone,” says Lyster.

Reliability Reduces Cost, Increases Performance and Life Cycle
MCCG needed a company that could provide reliable doors and quick service. “Larry Munn, GYRO TECH’s distributor, was willing to come in and test some doors with us,” said Lyster. “After a number of tests, GYRO TECH doors were preferred by our technicians,” he adds.

The hospitals wanted a good price, the lowest maintenance possible and easy-to-work-on automated doors. GYRO TECH exceeded those expectations by providing quick response and easy installation, as well as costs that were surprisingly reasonable.

GYRO TECH Becomes the Standard
MCCG mandated GYRO TECH doors because of the success they had when they remodeled their trauma unit in 2003. The hospital added 40 rooms with doors provided by GYRO TECH. “The doors work real well with no major problems and they’re five to six years old now,” says Lyster. “We’re planning to build an ICU next. If we need automatic doors, we’ll specify GYRO TECH,” he adds. MCCG is removing all other automated entrance equipment over time and replacing it with GYRO TECH.

NABCO ENTRANCES INC.
S82 W18717 Gemini Drive | Muskego, WI 53150
Phone: 877- 622-2694 | Fax: 888- 679-3319
Email: customerservice@nabcoentrances.com www.nabcoentrances.com