2025 EVS Department of the Year: Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center

Celebrating their EVS Department of the Year Award are Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center’s EVS and hospitality health care services leaders (from left) Kerby Bean, corporate senior account executive; Horacio Guiza, senior manager; Gonzalo Castillo, landscaping manager; Matthew T. Barnes, chief operating officer; Adrian Castillo, chief executive officer; Veronica Gutierrez, EVS director; Eunice Robles, manager; Gabriela Garcia, EVS assistant director; Araceli Flores, EVS supervisor; Lourdes Encinas, corporate human resources director; Osiris Lerma, human resources employee; and Edelia Tapia, EVS coordinator.

Image courtesy of Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center

To say the environmental services (EVS) crew at Onvida Health Yuma (Ariz.) Medical Center (YMC) reached a series of impressive milestones in the last few years — achievements that elevated operational performance and strengthened cross-departmental collaboration — would be an understatement.

For starters, consider the successful launch of the hospital’s Foothills emergency department (ED) in October 2023. At opening, the facility averaged 1,500 monthly room turns, with turnaround times exceeding 20 minutes. By implementing EVS process alignment with the main ED, turnaround was reduced to under 16 minutes by April 2024, even as monthly volume grew to 1,800 rooms. These improvements accelerated patient flow, shortened wait times and enhanced overall satisfaction.

EVS also introduced a structured quality program designed to maintain consistent cleanliness standards across all sites. The initiative included daily surveys, monthly audits and quarterly and annual performance reviews. By the end of 2024, the program encompassed all external facilities, generating more than 20,000 surveys at the main hospital and an additional 2,000 at other locations. Scores consistently exceeded 90%, reinforcing a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

Another significant advancement was the redesign of hazardous waste management processes in collaboration with the safety and facilities departments. This resulted in a 2025 Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP) Bronze Award from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, which recognizes improved compliance, enhanced safety protocols and stronger environmental stewardship among Arizona businesses and organizations.

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But the wins don’t stop there. In 2022, the hospital reorganized its EVS operations into three distinct service lines: patient experience, discharge and ancillary cleaning — each overseen by a dedicated 24/7 manager. This restructure led to a 15% year-over-year reduction in inpatient turnaround time and a nearly 25% decrease over the most recent five months. The new structure fostered clearer accountability, reduced management stress and improved staff satisfaction, all of which translated into more efficient operations and enhanced patient experiences.

“Each of these initiatives improved operational efficiency, enhanced patient satisfaction and strengthened our role as a trusted partner in delivering exceptional care,” says Veronica Gutierrez, T-CHEST, T-CSCT, T-CNACC, director of EVS and linen for Onvida Health.

Finely tuned team delivers

EVS performance is evaluated through multiple measures, including patient feedback, inspection results and infection prevention data. The most recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Care Compare scores show that 73% of YMC patients reported their room and bathroom were “always” clean, surpassing the Arizona state average of 69%.

In fact, more than 20,000 quality surveys were completed at the main hospital in 2024, with most areas maintaining scores above 95%. Infection prevention metrics also demonstrated excellence, with a C. diff standardized infection rate (SIR) of 0.268 and MRSA SIR of 0.346 — both well below national averages — indicating that cleaning protocols are directly contributing to safer patient outcomes.

Evangelina Soto, EVS attendant I, and Gabriela Garcia, EVS assistant director, confer on a cleaning project.

Image courtesy of Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center

“We’ve also implemented patient rounding to capture real-time feedback, enabling immediate service recovery when needed,” notes Gutierrez. “This proactive approach keeps us responsive and aligned with patient expectations.”

Operational efficiency was further enhanced thanks to an overhaul of the process for handling suspected bed bug incidents in inpatient areas. Partnering with the ED, infection prevention, nursing, radiology, transport and the hospital’s service response center, EVS collaborated on a streamlined response system that reduced false identifications, minimized room closures and limited patient transfers. The changes decreased downtime for high-demand areas such as the operating room and imaging, improved patient comfort and reduced unnecessary pest control costs.

“To keep it working, we’ve committed to regular cross-department training, strong communication channels and continuous monitoring of results,” Gutierrez says. “It’s a great example of how collaboration can improve both safety and efficiency.”

Results through collaboration

A bed board system is used to monitor discharge turnaround times in real time, enabling staff to identify bottlenecks, adjust staffing and align schedules with peak discharge periods. This process has supported consistent achievement of a turnaround time under 62 minutes, with daily reporting during operations huddles. Electronic inspection tools provide immediate performance feedback, allowing quality concerns to be addressed on the spot.

Abel Dominguez, EVS floor technician, maintains corridor flooring.

Image courtesy of Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center

The EVS department plays an integral role in hospital safety and quality leadership. As an active member of the infection control committee, it provides inspection data and helps shape updated cleaning protocols. Weekly readiness rounds with safety, facilities, infection prevention and quality teams ensure consistent unit readiness.

Furthermore, EVS manages all categories of waste — including medical, chemical, hazardous, sharps, pharmaceutical, universal and pathological — across more than 30 locations, maintaining compliance and fostering a safety-focused culture. Routine inspections also include proactive identification and reporting of maintenance or environmental issues to keep facilities safe and fully operational.

“By staying embedded in these operational and quality initiatives, EVS has moved far beyond being a support service,” says Gutierrez. “We’ve become an essential driver of patient safety, regulatory compliance and overall hospital readiness.”

Jose Rodriguez, EVS attendant I, treats a hand-washing sink.

Image courtesy of Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center

In 2024, sustainability initiatives expanded with the addition of a waste stream for controlled substances, improving waste segregation, tracking and compliance while reducing environmental impact compared to prior years.

Staff retention also improved during the year. The full-time employee retention rate increased from 77.5% in 2023 to 82.4% in 2024. Engagement efforts include Employee of the Quarter recognition, year-end travel prize drawings for staff with no performance notices, monthly birthday celebrations and an annual strategy meeting to refine engagement initiatives.

Gutierrez insists that the department’s success is driven by collaboration across disciplines, data-informed decision-making and a strong emphasis on workforce development. Multidisciplinary teamwork addresses complex challenges, real-time metrics guide process improvements, and recognition and training support ongoing excellence. More than half of the team holds Certified Health Care Environmental Services Technician or Certified Surgical Cleaning Technician certification, enhancing both technical expertise and professional pride.

“Build systems that support your staff, and they’ll deliver for your patients,” Gutierrez says.

Saluting team success

Administrators are relishing this year’s Association for the Health Care Environment honor and praising the department.

“EVS is a dedicated force behind everything we do. This award puts a well-deserved spotlight on the people who make our hospital shine,” says Jake Childs, PharmD, MS, MHA, FACHE, president of hospital operations and chief operating officer for Onvida Health. “EVS has remained committed to progress, and we are proud to see their hard work recognized at a national level.”

EVS leaders, attendants, landscaping staff and floor technicians pose for a team photo after winning the Association for the Health Care Environment’s EVS Department of the Year Award in the 250-499 beds category.

Image courtesy of Onvida Health Yuma Medical Center

Heather Armour, MSN, RN, CPHQ, administrative director of support services, adds, “The pride they take in their work is undeniable, and what’s even more impressive is how clearly they can articulate the connection between what they do and the care we provide to our patients,” she says. “Their dedication inspires all of us.”

Learn more about the Environmental Services Department of the Year Award

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Erik J. Martin is a freelance writer based in Oak Lawn, Ill.