Safety - April 2015
Workplace violence is on the rise for nursing staff
An Occupational Health Safety Network report finds risks highest among nurse assistants
4/30/2015
Consider systems, human factor to curb infection, study says
Healthcare facilities urged to look beyond isolated practices of staff when working to curb infections
4/30/2015
Healthcare has most nonfatal occupational injuries for all private industries in 2013
One in five reported nonfatal occupational injuries occurred among workers in the healthcare and social assistance industry
4/29/2015
Q&A on exit signage
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about exit signage
4/28/2015
International collaboration focuses on patient safety
An international partnership of 16 health systems will collaborate on patient safety issues such as hospital-acquired infections
4/24/2015
Irish hospital exposes patients to burn risks
Inspectors found unhygienic medication practices and safety hazards at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown
4/22/2015
Q&A on egress lighting and battery powered emergency lights
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about egress lighting and battery powered emergency lights
4/21/2015
Q&A on dust on sprinkler heads
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about dust on sprinkler heads
4/20/2015
Patient violence among ECRI's patient concerns
ECRI Institute's 2015 Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns also includes alarm hazards
4/20/2015
N.D. hospital adds Ebola-ready rooms
Sanford Health adds two new rooms equipped to safely treat patients with highly contagious infections
4/17/2015
Designing for long-term infection control
Planners and designers are working with clinicians and facilities staff to improve prevention from pre-design programming through specification
4/13/2015
OSHA updates workplace violence guidelines
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its 1995 and 2004 editions of Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers, according to an article on the Long-term Living website
4/13/2015
Protecting healthcare staff from patients
Technology gives staff quicker and more efficient means of summoning help
4/10/2015
Hospital security boosted after nurses express fears following attacks
Australia's Westmead Hospital reacts to reports of violent crimes near the facility
4/9/2015
Splashes can be overlooked risk for healthcare facility workers
Splashes from cleaning bedpans, and emptying suction cups can transfer a pathogen through the eyes, nose, or mouth
4/9/2015
Curbing incidents of wandering at senior facilities
Electronic equipment such as bed and door alarms, video cameras and resident tracking devices can help prevent elopement
4/9/2015
Kansas hospital tests positive for Legionella bacteria
The facility has installed filters in the showers in the long-term care and in-patient units
4/8/2015
Boston-area hospital to use new non-lethal security device
Newton-Wellesley Hospital to introduce devices for its security staff, as hospitals across the country have seen an increase in violent attacks by patients
4/8/2015
Healthcare design is putting more focus on infection control
Designers are now exploring more automated ways to combat bacteria
4/7/2015
Chemicals used to make products antimicrobial are classified as pesticides/biocides
Fabrics and flooring treated with antimicrobial agents that prevent bacterial growth create more problems than they solve
4/7/2015
Q&A on medical gas system deficiencies
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about medical gas system deficiencies
4/2/2015