ASHE Attendees to Learn About Excellence in Facilities Management

TAMPA, Fla., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to health care, the physical environment can make a significant difference in outcomes. In fact, the Center for Health Design has identified hundreds of studies directly linking positive patient outcomes with health care facility environments.

At the upcoming 2010 annual conference for the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), Iona Canada, corporate manager of healthcare business development for Trane, will address best practices for optimizing the environment of care as part of a panel on excellence in facilities management. Canada will offer recommendations for assessing and improving the current environment of care.

The case study panel presentation will be moderated by Tim Adams, CHFM, SASHE, CHC, member professional development director for ASHE in Chicago, and will also include commentary from:

• George "Skip" Smith, CHFM, SASHE, ASHE president elect and interim vice president, and supply chain/clinical engineering for Catholic Health Initiatives in Hilliard, Ohio. Smith will share insights he has gained from providing facilities management direction to 87 Catholic Health Initiatives hospitals.

• Donald E. Wojtkowski, FASHE, PE, executive director, design and construction for SSM Health Care-St. Louis. In 2009, Wojtkowski received the first-ever ASHE Excellence in Facilities Management Award. He will share expertise gained over 36 years of experience in the health care industry, where Wojtkowski is nationally recognized as a leader in maximizing the impact that infrastructure and building systems can play in patient outcomes.

Attendees will gain an understanding of the role that facilities management plays in patient satisfaction. They will also learn how to increase their visibility within their facilities.

Details of Iona Canada's presentation:

When: Wed., July 14, 9:15 – 10:30 a.m.

Where: Room 15-16, Tampa Marriott Waterside and Tampa Convention Center

Conference website: http://www.ashe.org/annual/

About the ASHE 2010 Annual Conference

The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) is a personal membership group of the American Hospital Association representing a diverse network of more than 10,000 members dedicated to optimizing the health care physical environment. The ASHE Annual Conference provides comprehensive educational programming and networking opportunities for health care facility management professionals to come together to network, share and learn. Conference attendees can visit representatives from Trane at booth # 509. Trane is a 2010 business partner with ASHE, which includes sponsoring both their annual conferences.

About Iona Canada

Iona Canada is the corporate manager of healthcare business development for Trane. Her responsibilities include developing strategies and account management for hospitals and integrated delivery networks.

She has spent over 25 years serving the healthcare facilities industry. At Trane, she is responsible for customer satisfaction, market growth and expansion of offerings to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. She is a member of ACHE (American College of Healthcare Executives) and ASHE (American Society of Healthcare Engineering).

Canada serves on the Federation of American Hospitals Advisory Board and was the first chair from the supplier community. She holds a degree in business administration from Kaskaskia College.

About Trane

Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand - the world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and energy efficient environments - improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings. For more information, visit www.Trane.com.

About Ingersoll Rand

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands —including Club Car®, Hussmann®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® —work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers.  For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.

SOURCE Trane