Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital improves efficiency and sustainability with smart systems

When Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital opened as Canada’s first smart hospital, it faced the complexity of operating a large, highly integrated acute-care facility. The team needed to manage a surge of work requests during the first year while maintaining strict KPIs for temperature, humidity, and negative pressure in critical areas—essential for patient safety and regulatory compliance. At the same time, the hospital aimed to meet ambitious sustainability targets, requiring a unified energy management approach to reduce environmental impact without compromising comfort or care.

Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital implemented OpenBlue Net Zero, OpenBlue Equipment Performance and Metasys Building Automation System to create a unified environment that allowed the hospital to manage complex systems efficiently.

Continuous HVAC monitoring helped maintain strict temperature and humidity requirements in critical areas, reducing the risk of compliance issues. Real-time alerts ensured that any deviations were corrected quickly, supporting patient safety and regulatory standards. Automated energy reporting replaced manual processes, giving the team accurate insights to identify and resolve faults faster.

Lifecycle management was built into the approach, ensuring that systems remain efficient and reliable throughout the 30-year P3 agreement. In addition, participation in the Greening Health Care program provided benchmarking data, enabling the hospital to track progress and maintain its position among top-performing acute-care facilities.

By integrating smart systems, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital improved efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced safety. The hospital now operates with energy intensity 33% better than the local industry median for acute care facilities. Key results include:

• 44% reduction in natural gas use, 28% reduction in GHG emissions, and 19% reduction in overall energy consumption
• 600 hours saved annually on preventive maintenance and 20 hours per month on manual reporting, equating to $20,000 in annual savings
• Approximately 4,000 hours saved in troubleshooting during the first year
• Over 1,500 days without a lost-time injury, earning recognition from the Ontario Ministry of Labour
• Smart technology enables control of room environments and transparency through badge systems
• Over 1,500 days without a lost-time injury, earning recognition from the Ontario Ministry of Labour