Maintenance and Operations - March 2014
Tips for supply chain efficiency
The supply chain represents about 25 percent of a healthcare facility's operating budget, so supply chain optimization is an imperative
3/28/2014
L.A. inspectors told to stop nursing home investigations
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health told inspectors to stop investigating complaints at nursing homes in order to reduce the backlog of claims
3/28/2014
Do you have a 'fatburg' in your pipe?
A disposal bag disposal system can save plumbing, reduce the added and unnecessary expense of damage, reduce unsightly waste, reduce offensive odor and protect people from cross contamination
3/26/2014
Lawmaker opposes more nursing home construction in Indiana
State lawmaker says failure of construction moratorium could hurt existing nursing homes
3/26/2014
Massachusetts nursing home not inspected in 6+ years
Quincy building department hasn't inspected the Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation nursing home in more than six years
3/25/2014
Sewage issues could close Alberta health facility
Alberta Health Services calls for an $185-million replacement for Wainwright Health Centre
3/25/2014
California town rejects hospital sign request
Caltrans denies Bear Valley Community Healthcare District's request for additional signs
3/25/2014
Hospital cited for fleas
New Zealand Ministry of Health inspection reveals fleas, overcrowding and insufficient infection control at Hutt Hospital
3/24/2014
UCSF Medical Center foodservice honored for innovation
Smart Choice Smart U program uses online platforms, mobile applications and digital signage to provide real-time nutritional information
3/24/2014
Sudbury hospitals to eliminate all smoking areas
Patients at Health Sciences North in Sudbury, Ontario, soon will need to light up somewhere beyond the facility's grounds
3/24/2014
Access to water key for healthcare system after chemical spill
Healthcare Facilities Management article explores Charleston Area Medical Center's response to chemical disaster
3/20/2014
Wisconsin exempts hospitals from posted inspection reports
Fifteen other facility types have reports posted online as of 2013
3/20/2014
Manila legislators approve bill regulating hospitals
House of Representatives passed a bill expected to strengthen the regulation of hospitals, other healthcare facilities and services
3/19/2014
Changes in Joint Commission standards for environment of care coming
Changes in areas ranging from electrical systems, hazard communication and leadership to emergency readiness are on the horizon
3/19/2014
Canadian program to bring hospital services into the home
Prince Edward Family Health launches its Hospital at Home program
3/18/2014
Building culture of quality among top concerns of healthcare providers
Healthcare Design article reports top five concerns of healthcare facility owners from 2013 Healthcare Design Conference discussion
3/17/2014
ACA, other trends seen redefining post-acute care space
Senator sees movement toward home as the center of care for the elderly
3/17/2014
Securely faxing healthcare data
Solid use policies can help secure the transmission of sensitive data
3/14/2014
White paper discusses quantifying hygienically clean laundry
Laundries can be held accountable to reduce soil to a microbial level that is definitively hygienically clean, report says
3/13/2014
How to manage facilities for strategic value
Managing facilities for strategic value means taking the long view with a planning time frame of five, 10, 20, even 30 years out
3/12/2014
Hospital kitchen 'hazardous' designation not unanimous
In a 'Life Safety Code Q&A' on the FacilityCare website, the designation of hospital kitchens is explored
3/12/2014
Health system CEO sees healthcare embarking on a new mission
Head of Pennsylvania's Heritage Valley Health System says healthcare is shifting back to a community-based setting
3/11/2014
St. Francis Health System food service director honored by professional association
International Foodservice Manufacturers Association's Silver Plate Awards honor excellence in foodservice operations
3/11/2014
Group warns of possible food service monopoly
Antitrust watchdog looking at Sysco-US Foods deal
3/10/2014
Hospital noise can pose safety risk
Noise pollution also contributes to stress among hospital staff and affects patients' sleep patterns and blood pressure
3/10/2014
University of Missouri Health Care to open walk-in clinics at Hy-Vee stores
Construction on the three new 'Mizzou Quick Care' clinics is set to start by mid-March
3/7/2014
Affordable Care Act's impact on medical office buildings
ACA paradigm shift expected to have a long-term positive effect on medical office buildings and healthcare facilities
3/7/2014
Healthcare Design magazine honors facility owner
Dr. David Schuller has guided the 11-year expansion of OSU's medical center and the cancer facilities - a project involving 1.1 million square feet and a $1.1 billion price tag
3/6/2014
Organization advises against taking sick kids to retail clinics
Retail health clinics are becoming a popular alternative to the doctor's office with more than 20 million patient visits
3/6/2014
Coffee shop bumped for dialysis clinic at Halifax facility
Money-losing Tim Hortons in the Halifax Infirmary closed as officials begin to search for ways to save millions of dollars
3/5/2014