Rush University Medical Center
On its nursing floors, Rush provided its nursing staff with bedpan washers to clean the bedpans after use. Sounds hygienic enough—until the staff found that the washers could splash and soil their scrubs, resulting in displeased staff and concern over the spread of bacteria. Working together, Rush’s plumbing engineer and Sloan’s representative came up with the idea to try using a Sloan UPPERCUT dual-flush Flushometer to not only reduce the splashing by the bedpan washer, but to save water, as well.
The team conducted a test of the dual flush handle on part of the floor and compared it to the other bedpan washers. Feedback from the nursing director was positive—the dual handles reduced the splashing. As a result, Rush has created a program to systematically replace all handles throughout the facility with Sloan UPPERCUT dual-flush Flushometers.
Ever the research institution, Rush University Medical Center conducted some experiments in a pursuit to find the best faucet for their staff and patients. The hospital installed multiple faucet types throughout the building and placed a suggestion/comment box next to each one. After many days and hundreds of comments, Rush selected the Sloan EAF 225 hardwired, deck-mounted infrared faucet with illuminated temperature indicator.
Market
HealthcareLocation
*Interior photographs by Hedrich Blessing
Advanced faucets.
Users chose the Sloan EAF faucet because they liked the above-deck side mixer and illuminated temperature indicator ring, as well as its automatic water shutoff and low flow rate. Most importantly, the faucet featured a laminar water flow, which is recommended for hospitals. Laminar devices do not draw air into the water stream which prevents the introduction of bacteria contained in room air.
Enhanced bedpan cleanup.
The dual-flush handle offers users two flush options: Tilt the handle up to flush with 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf) of water, or push it down for a standard 1.6 gpf flush. Sloan's UPPERCUT dual-flush technology is available as part of a complete Flushometer or in handle retrofit kits for converting existing manual Flushometers to water-efficient dual-flush capability.
Products in this case study
We have been very pleased with the Sloan products. The UPPERCUT dual-flush Flushometers met all of our needs for eliminating the bedpan splashing issue. And the EAF faucets enable hygienic, touch-free handwashing. The water temperature adjustment, laminar flow and water savings features were additional benefits that really made the Sloan faucets the obvious choice.