Environmental services plays an increasingly strategic role in healthcare. As health organizations continue to focus on cost, quality and outcomes, research and evidence supports the emergence of the healthcare environment as a critical force in patient and employee safety and satisfaction.

A nationally-recognized education design firm worked with AHE subject matter experts to develop a certification program for environmental services frontline staff. The program, Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Technician (CHEST) was designed  specifically address the "Triple Aim" in healthcare:
 • Improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction);
 • Improving the health of populations; and
 • Reducing the per capita cost of health care.
 
Healthcare facilities employ a large number of frontline environmental services staff who are an instrumental part of the patient care team. They interact regularly with key stakeholders – patients and their families, clinicians, and other critical staff to create and maintain clean and quiet healing environments. Because these positions demand effective communication, ethical decision-making, and specific technical skills, they require unique and specific training. The CHEST program delivers this training and helps healthcare organizations maintain a qualified and highly-skilled workforce.

For more information on CHEST, as well as upcoming events, click here.