Maintenance and Operations - May 2014
Employee smoking bans a hot topic
To address this incongruence of smoking and healthcare, some health systems have started barring smokers - even those who don't work in clinical and patient support roles - from employment
5/30/2014
Continuing process improvements can lower cost, raise quality
Successful improvement projects move through four stages: identifying the problem, researching a solution, changing the way people work and maintaining the change
5/30/2014
Quieter hospitals can help healing
Specially designed quiet latches and sound-reducing exit devices can help limit the disturbances to patients and staff
5/29/2014
IFMA Health Care Institute releases report on medical facilities' future
The report was developed from interviews with 30+ CEOs, strategic planners, facilities managers, deputy administrators, financial analysts and chief medical officers
5/27/2014
Hospital linen safety infographic
New Orleans Times-Picayune publishes infographic on hospital linen cleaning process in wake of deadly fungal outbreak
5/23/2014
New accreditation program offered for small hospitals
Comprehensive accreditation program is customized for rural hospitals, critical access hospitals and small hospitals with less than 200 beds
5/23/2014
Americans link cleanliness with level of care in senior facilities
Study says other expectations include hotel-like amenities, such as fresh, convenient food items, comfort and ambiance
5/22/2014
Futurist sees massive consolidation of hospitals
Consolidation of hospitals could mean that there will be 100 to 200 large regional systems around the country
5/22/2014
St. Louis-based health system to create virtual-care center
3 million telehealth visits are expected in the next five years, according to an article on the Healthcare Informatics website
5/20/2014
Sacred music or showtunes for long-term care?
Studies say both religious music and Broadway singalongs benefit seniors
5/20/2014
Additional funds sought for California prison health facility
Governor is proposing a $12.4 million increase to the California Health Care Facility's general fund in the revised budget
5/19/2014
ASHRAE continues work on Legionellosis standard
A fourth public review draft of Standard 188P, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems, which has been substantially rewritten from previous versions, is expected to be approved and made available during the summer
5/19/2014
Study on laundered towels finds E. Coli, tetanus
Ninety-three percent of the laundered towels used to clean hospital rooms contained bacteria that could result in hospital-acquired infections
5/16/2014
Variable refrigerant flow zoning a flexible option for healthcare
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities have the individual room control needs for which VRF zoning is designed
5/16/2014
Healthcare culinary competition finalists announced
Top culinary professionals from the healthcare industry will compete in the Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) 2014 Culinary Competition
5/15/2014
Hospital lean 'myths' questioned
Hospital consultant says standardization actually leads to better outcomes
5/14/2014
CMS offers new equipment maintenance options
Change could help healthcare facilities maintain equipment properly while conserving resources
5/13/2014
India's hospital train brings care to rural areas
Train is staffed by surgeons and equipped with a state-of-the-art operating room
5/12/2014
Household dining model cheaper, tastier
Long-Term Living article says using satellite kitchens results in lower net costs for communities and an improved dining experience for residents
5/12/2014
Study says serving sorbet before nursing home meals increases food intake
Nursing home residents who have a sorbet appetizer tend to eat more at mealtime and maintain their weight
5/12/2014
Does automated hand-hygiene monitoring work?
A recent review of published information on automated hand hygiene systems found that less than 20 percent of the articles included calculations for efficiency or accuracy
5/9/2014
Bacteria in hospital ice machines blamed for patient death
Legionella bacteria found in hospital ice machines at UPMC Presbyterian contributed to one patient's death and sickened two others
5/7/2014
Carpet tiles making a comeback
Ease of installation can make modular carpeting less disruptive for a long-term care facility
5/5/2014
Key elements to clean restrooms
Long-Term Living article lists six steps to a clean restroom
5/2/2014
Carpeting offering new options for care facilities
Article on Long-term Living website says long-term care and rehabilitation facilities are using their remodeling phases as a chance to explore new carpeting options
5/1/2014
Hospital-affiliated gyms grow in popularity
Health-facility-affiliated gyms are generally more costly than some commercial gyms, but members value the connection with healthcare professionals
5/1/2014