Safety - September 2014
Hospital pillows can harbor pathogens
Thirty-eight percent of pillows retained infection-causing pathogens after disinfection
9/30/2014
Experts say US hospitals unprepared for Ebola waste
Waste management companies are refusing to haul away the soiled sheets and Ebola virus-spattered protective gear
9/30/2014
Minneapolis hospital reportedly used unsterilized equipment
Abbott Northwestern hospital use potentially dangerous instruments in four surgeries
9/26/2014
Broken bed alarm blamed in patient's death
Man died after he became disoriented and left his hospital room at UCSD Medical Center
9/26/2014
Best hand-hygiene practices for a healthcare facility
Proper hand washing can help healthcare workers fight germs, bacteria and disease
9/26/2014
UAE hospitals don't spend enough on infection control
Experts say that healthcare managers are reluctant to spend spend money on infection control because they don't receive direct revenue from the investment
9/25/2014
Control valve tamper switches Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about control valve tamper switches
9/25/2014
Healthcare center blamed for man's mushroom poisoning
Family says Cordilleras Mental Health Facility neglected to maintain a safe environment
9/24/2014
Nurses demand more ER security personnel
Nurses at Tri-City Medical Center call for a range of reforms
9/23/2014
Color-coded sheets to aid to infection control efforts
New Delhi hospitals to end use of white linens
9/23/2014
Irish hospital removes religious statues for infection control
The removal of two religious statues from wards at Gorey District Hospital tied to health and safety concerns
9/23/2014
Faulty CCTV system prevents hospital assault probe
Internal security system at Galway University Hospital problematic despite large investment
9/22/2014
Preparedness key to containing outbreaks
The evolution of prevention and protocols in Canadian healthcare industry are keeping pace
9/22/2014
FEMA offers resources for digital disaster prep
Agency app includes access to disaster safety tips, an emergency kit list, emergency meeting location information and a map with open shelters
9/19/2014
Healthcare systems move away from flame retardants in furniture
Advocate Health Care, Beaumont Health System, Hackensack University Medical Center and University Hospitals will stop purchasing furniture treated with flame retardant chemicals
9/18/2014
Ambulance staff says hospital ramping could have fatal consequences
Ambulance Employees Association complains of persistent ramping at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia
9/18/2014
Videos push hand hygiene
Videos from CDC, others encourage hand-washing at healthcare facilities
9/18/2014
Managing waterborne infection risks
Hospitalized patients at high risk for infection should avoid exposure to hospital water and use sterile water instead
9/17/2014
Flammable liquid storage Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about the storage of flammable liquids
9/17/2014
Military offers lessons for dealing with mass casualties
Iraq and Afghanistan show five ways hospitals can prepare for attacks, disasters
9/17/2014
Ohio hospital postpones surgeries for cleaning issues
Adena Regional Medical Center postponed surgeries until further notice after the operating room team found staining on surgical towels
9/17/2014
Complying with proposed fire safety regulation changes
CMS's proposed adoption of the 2012 edition of the Life Safety Code to simplify fire safety compliance
9/15/2014
Ebola survivor says supply shortage puts hospital staff at risk
Lack of hazard suits and other supplies called a danger to doctors and nurses safe
9/10/2014
Preventing common health facility accidents
Keeping workers from becoming complacent about safety rules key
9/9/2014
Hospital parking changes raise safety concerns
Parking to be banned on streets around facility
9/8/2014
Linen chute door Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about linen chute doors
9/8/2014
California hospitals prepare for Ebola while stressing low risk
Recommendations for hospitals include private rooms for patients and protective coverings for staff
9/5/2014
Is your hospital earthquake ready?
California law's goal is not just that hospitals remain structurally sound after an earthquake - they must remain operational
9/4/2014
HAIs finding new routes of transmission
Hospital computers, cell phones and other new technologies carrying infections
9/4/2014
Key hand-hygiene strategies include easy access to sanitizer
When hand hygiene products are easy to access, compliance with requirements improves
9/4/2014
Ebola guidance for environmental infection control released
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released an interim guidance
9/2/2014
N.Y. hospital focuses on worker safety
Rome Memorial Hospital initiatives have resulted in a 29 percent reduction in workplace injuries
9/2/2014
Violence in hospitals called rare but difficult to stop
South Jersey hospitals have had three incidents of fatal gunfire this year
9/2/2014