--- title: Saving Money and Saving Lives with General Cable description: 17 FREE cables are a unique class of halogen-free, riser-rated network communication cables that offer increased safety for occupants and yet cost only marginally more than traditional riser-rated cable for significant savings over plenum-rated cable. Available in Category 5e, 6 and 6A, 17 FREE cables are all made without halogens. image: https://www.accu-tech.com/hubfs/MercyJoplin17FREE_Case_Study_CIMReprint1_15.jpg --- {% set baseFontFamily = "Open Sans" %} /* Add the font family you wish to use. You may need to import it above. */ {% set headerFontFamily = "Open Sans" %} /* This affects only headers on the site. Add the font family you wish to use. You may need to import it above. */ {% set textColor = "#565656" %} /* This sets the universal color of dark text on the site */ {% set pageCenter = "1100px" %} /* This sets the width of the website */ {% set headerType = "fixed" %} /* To make this a fixed header, change the value to "fixed" - otherwise, set it to "static" */ {% set lightGreyColor = "#f7f7f7" %} /* This affects all grey background sections */ {% set baseFontWeight = "normal" %} /* More than likely, you will use one of these values (higher = bolder): 300, 400, 700, 900 */ {% set headerFontWeight = "normal" %} /* For Headers; More than likely, you will use one of these values (higher = bolder): 300, 400, 700, 900 */ {% set buttonRadius = '40px' %} /* "0" for square edges, "10px" for rounded edges, "40px" for pill shape; This will change all buttons */ ### After you have updated your stylesheet, make sure you turn this module off [Click to Contact Sales](https://www.accu-tech.com/contact-us) | Call Corporate Office at [888-222-8832](tel:18882228832) [![Accu-Tech logo with tagline in navy blue](https://www.accu-tech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Accu-Tech%20Blue%20Tagline%20300px%20-%20Edited.png?width=300&height=95&name=Accu-Tech%20Blue%20Tagline%20300px%20-%20Edited.png "Accu-Tech logo with tagline in navy blue")](https://www.accu-tech.com/) # Saving Money and Saving Lives with General Cable by **[Paige Looney](https://www.accu-tech.com/accu-insider/author/paige-looney)** on April 9, 2015 ![MercyJoplin17FREE_Case_Study_CIMReprint1_15](https://www.accu-tech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MercyJoplin17FREE_Case_Study_CIMReprint1_15.jpg?width=600&name=MercyJoplin17FREE_Case_Study_CIMReprint1_15.jpg "MercyJoplin17FREE_Case_Study_CIMReprint1_15") Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1986, the Mercy health system is the fifth largest Catholic healthcare system in the United States and includes 33 acute care hospitals, 4 heart hospitals, 2 children’s hospitals and another nearly 700 healthcare facilities throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Named a 2014 “Most Wired” healthcare organization by the American Hospital Association, Mercy is also among the first healthcare organizations in the U.S. to deploy a comprehensive, integrated electronic health record system and provide patients with online access to their medical information and doctors.  ![MercyJoplin](https://www.accu-tech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MercyJoplin.jpg?width=347&name=MercyJoplin.jpg "MercyJoplin")The newest Mercy Hospital location opened in Joplin, MO just last month. With millions of feet of cabling running throughout the new hospital to deliver information for everything from patient monitoring, nurse call and digital diagnostics, to audiovisual, security and building automation, designers need to consider cost-effectiveness, performance and occupant safety. By standardizing on General Cable’s 17 FREE line of cables, Mercy Hospital Joplin and subsequent Mercy facilities are able to deliver all three.  During the initial planning phase for the new Mercy Hospital Joplin and Mercy Orthopedic Hospital in Springfield, MO, there was some concern surrounding the high cost of plenum-rated cable, which was nearly double that of riser-rated cable. Instead of being faced with the high cost of plenum cable or the safety concerns of riser-rated cable, General Cable introduced a third option—17 FREE.  17 FREE cables are a unique class of halogen-free, riser-rated network communication cables that offer increased safety for occupants and yet cost only marginally more than traditional riser-rated cable for significant savings over plenum-rated cable. Available in Category 5e, 6 and 6A, 17 FREE cables are all made without halogens. Additionally, the output produced has a significantly reduce halogen acid content, which may prevent costly damage to expensive and sensitive electronics equipment used in healthcare facilities.  “17 FREE saved us 40 percent on material cost versus plenum with nearly the same level of safety,” said Larry Smith, manager of data cabling services with Mercy Technology Services (MTS). “Even though we could have installed traditional riser-rated cable, 17 FREE reduces the toxins and met our concerns for safety.”  Learn more about how the Mercy Hospital in Joplin is saving money and saving lives with General Cable's 17 FREE line of cables by downloading the full case study, as featured in the January 2015 of *Cabling Installation & Maintenance*. [![ScreenShot2015-03-23at2.15.26PMcopy](https://www.accu-tech.com/hs-fs/hub/54495/file-2652856423.jpg?width=317&name=file-2652856423.jpg)](https://www.accu-tech.com/hs-fs/hub/54495/file-2652886723.pdf) [![Download Case Study](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/54495/1599000b-a791-4efa-b109-dd9f03351ec0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/54495/1599000b-a791-4efa-b109-dd9f03351ec0) For more information on how General Cable and Accu-Tech can support cabling in healthcare installations, [contact your local Accu-Tech representative](https://www.accu-tech.com/contact) today! You can also find [General Cable](http://www.eaccu-tech.com/general-cable/) solutions on eAccu-Tech. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Topics: [General Cable](https://www.accu-tech.com/accu-insider/topic/general-cable) [healthcare](https://www.accu-tech.com/accu-insider/topic/healthcare) [cabling](https://www.accu-tech.com/accu-insider/topic/cabling) ### Subscribe To Our Blog ### Additional Information ### About Accu-Tech Accu-Tech is a national distributor of Voice, Data, AV, Wireless, and Security solutions. We partner with best-in-class manufacturers to provide the integrated, future-proof solutions our customers require. From project services and management to on-the-job-site logistics, Accu-Tech ensures every customer’s project is supported from design to completion. With 35 stocking locations strategically placed nationwide, Accu-Tech is readily available to assist when and where you need us. 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