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Hybrid Cars Decrease Home Care Costs
Monday November 10, 2008
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High gas prices have prompted some companies to rethink their cost savings, while others have focused on being more environmentally responsible. For Alegent Health in Omaha, Neb., it's a little of both.

"Moving home health to a hybrid fleet is the right thing to do," says CEO Wayne Sensor in a news release. "We are very serious about being good stewards of our resources and our world. Our sponsors expect it, and our patients and staff deserve it."

Alegent nurses log more than 800,000 miles a year taking care of patients. When the group adopted the new name "Alegent Health at Home," it decided to purchase hybrid cars to help the environment, the bottom line, and the patients.

"I visit around six patients during my workday, which is roughly a 30-mile drive round trip, so my SUV was really my office. Although it's a hybrid and gets 26 miles per gallon, it still costs me $60 every time I fill up, which gets pretty expensive," says Melanie Welch, RN, in a news release. "I'm looking forward to driving a Prius, which gets much better gas mileage [at 48 miles per gallon]."

In addition to better mileage, Welch says the car has a generous amount of trunk space, so employees can carry their medical equipment and supplies with them. As an added safety measure, patients will see the home health company name on the cars.

Each employee who drives a Prius will have the opportunity to also drive the car for personal use for $200 a month, which covers all fuel stops, car insurance, and maintenance.

Officials estimate the switch to a more fuel efficient car will save the department $50,000 in the first year alone, and that's a conservative number. In addition, the car's lower emissions are better for the environment.



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