Information Technology - October 2013
Going green in managing waste can be cost effective
Minimizing what goes into the trash can and save money on supplies, resources and operations
10/31/2013
Tips from ASC administrators to prep for Medicare inspections
Three ambulatory surgery center administrators discuss preparing their centers for surveyors and Medicare inspections
10/31/2013
Canadian hospital trimming food services to patients
Once standard items on hospital food trays such as coffee, tea, salt and pepper will only be made available by request
10/30/2013
Vinyl flooring linked to potentially harmful substances
Flooring contains potentially dangerous phthalates which are also food packaging, medical devices, and even pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and soaps
10/30/2013
EHR vendors facing certification hurdles difficulties under Stage 2 of meaningful use
Fewer software developers had certified electronic health record systems for use by health care providers under Stage 2 meaningful use requirements than under Stage 1 of the program
10/30/2013
Lighting trends in healthcare design illuminated
The growing use of LEDs has changed the way architects, lighting designers and healthcare facility decision-makers approach lighting
10/30/2013
Keeping chiropractic tables clean
Study says only 62 percent of chiropractors had a routine chiropractic table disinfection protocol in place
10/30/2013
Telemedicine kiosks allow virtual after-hours doctor visits
Cleveland hospital systems adopting kiosks to try to bring patients better, cheaper access to medical care after hours
10/30/2013
Leapfrog's new safety grades give more than 800 hospitals an A
Only 3.5% of hospitals significantly improved their grades since the the last report in May
10/29/2013
Report says Walgreens exposing customer health data
'Well Experience' model relocates pharmacists to a work station in front of the counter
10/29/2013
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System engineering a fail-safe health system
Quality departments were centralized, all employees were trained on the principles of high reliability, protocols were created for most medical procedures
10/29/2013
New Jersey medical center takes emergency care mobile
ER Check-In app allows patients to notify hospital of a pending emergency department visit with their smartphone, tablet or computer
10/29/2013
Washington hospital prepares for disaster
Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington participates in a state-wide earthquake drill
10/28/2013
Social network model proposed to fight hospital infections
Study focused on interactions between patients and healthcare workers and the multiple competing factors that can affect transmission
10/28/2013
Ten major infection control stories from the summer and fall
Last five months have been eventful for infection control
10/28/2013
California Attorney General releases report on curbing medical identity theft
Report include recommendations for healthcare providers, insurers, and government agencies on how to prevent, detect and reduce medical identity theft
10/25/2013
Iowa governor says more health care inspectors not needed
Iowa is inspecting hospice-care facilities about once every 20 years, exercises no oversight of privately funded home health agencies; cannot impose fines on hospitals or hospital−owned nursing homes; and doesn't require licensing or state inspection of out-patient surgical centers
10/25/2013
Study says health information technology job growth exceeds projections
Lack of skilled applicants has left industry with open health IT positions
10/25/2013
Hospital team's response during Marathon bombings offers lessons for management under pressure.
Successful medical response in Boston was based on relationships across disciplines
10/25/2013
What's holding us back from handwashing?
A nurse who survived a severe hospital acquired infection and the physician who created "My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" program discuss handwashing compliance
10/25/2013
Thai healthcare system disaster management looks at Japan model
After tsunami, Japanese hospital has disaster-emergency unit staffed by a team of five permanent medical team
10/24/2013
Implementing and sustaining healthcare facility process improvements
A well-oiled machine will deliver high-quality care to a higher volume of patients
10/24/2013
Hospital wins first green health facility label in Holland
Hospital Amstelland is first healthcare facility to receive Dutch government's Golden Environment Medal for reducing carbon dioxide emissions
10/24/2013
Using healthcare facilities during off-peak periods can increase efficiency
Establishing variable pricing for late-night procedures may reduce the cost of healthcare
10/24/2013
Three of Ireland's major hospitals reported to have serious infection risks
Inspectors say patients are at serious risk of infection or scalding, while some medical equipment was dirty and staff failed to wash their hands
10/24/2013
Kansas hospital revamps food service to offer room service, healthier options
Sales at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital cafeteria are up almost 30 percent in recent weekend many of the fresh products now served are less expensive than the prepared products previously purchased
10/23/2013
Study shows low levels of hand hygiene compliance in pediatric hospitals
Education about the appropriate use of alcohol-based hand rub recommended for these facilities
10/23/2013
Connecticut hospital tests and trains emergency responders
Nearly 100 hospital employees, local emergency responders, volunteers and high school students took part in a mock disaster drill at Milford Hospital
10/23/2013
Thirteen organizational assessment steps to maintain a culture of safety
An assessment strategy to determine whether an organization is maintaining a culture of safety includes evaluation of training, behavior and leadership
10/23/2013
Consistent condensate drainage key to healthy hospital
When condensate is not removed it stands in the drain pan, overflows the drain pan and/or is blown onto internal components where it causes damage and encourages growth of pathogens
10/23/2013
Project solutions: Preparing the clinical team for move to a replacement facility
To maintain patient care standards, an organization must commit to staff orientation, education and training, proper operating sequences, appropriate staff alignment, technology education and implementation and equipment education and implementation
10/22/2013
New safety measures put focus on best practices
Leadership from the executive ranks called antidote to poor compliance
10/22/2013
Answers to hospital fall prevention issues vary
Lack of safety equipment usage, understaffing among hospital concerns
10/22/2013
Hospital fights infections with ultraviolet light 'robot'
Texas Health Resources Southwest Fort Wort uses machine to kill bacteria in operating rooms
10/22/2013
University of Utah hospitals rethink waste practices after protests
Air-quality concerns have the university weighing whether to continue with Stericycle
10/22/2013
Hospitals adopt networked information systems to meet demands of new delivery model
As more organizations recognize the building as an instrument of care, they are using innovative strategies to integrate disparate building, business and clinical systems to reduce cost while providing better care
10/21/2013
Biometric tools finding a new place in health care
Using fingerprints and iris patterns to validate identity is just beginning to play a role
10/21/2013
Challenges for big data in healthcare more social than technical
Questions of social interoperability must be solved before anything else, expert says. Until then, the risks of big data will outweigh the benefits
10/21/2013
Free downloadable patient safety handwashing tools
Hand washing suffers from perennially bad compliance rates, sometimes as low as 40 percent in healthcare settings, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control
10/21/2013
Technology is a key to managing vendor and visitor access to health care facilities
Survey reports majority of facilities use a vendor management system to screen, badge and track every vendor. And 38 percent of respondents said they use a visitor management system to screen, badge and track every visitor
10/21/2013
Contaminated bed linen key area of microbial and allergen accumulation
As modern day hospital infection control measures improve, there is an increased focus on bed linen and associated materials as possible sources of infection
10/18/2013
Major challenges looming for health IT leaders
Nationwide shift to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision of diagnostic and procedural codes less than a year away
10/18/2013
Norovirus a chronic problem in nursing homes, long-term care facilities in Oregon
Since 2002, norovirus has sickened more than 23,000 people in 714 outbreaks in Oregon's residential-care facilities
10/18/2013
Lack of single rooms called key element in infection control
Survey ranked single room's impact above that of more infection control nurses
10/18/2013
Preventing nursing home elopement
Facilities use monitoring, equipment and response planning to keep its patients safe
10/18/2013
Look for lighting that exceeds emergency standard for healthcare facilities
New high-performance emergency lighting options maintain constant light output for longer periods of time
10/18/2013
NY health care workers get fire safety training
Fatal fire at Illinois nursing facility puts spotlight on program
10/17/2013
Illinois oncology center looking to go greener with solar panels
Making the center solar powered reportedly will save 100 percent of its electric bill
10/17/2013
Strategizing building maintenance should be an executive role, experts say
Decisions about senior care facility maintenance should align with overall company goals
10/17/2013
Maximize impact of mats at your facility
Care is required to make sure they are working properly, promoting safety, and protecting the indoor environment
10/17/2013
Infection prevention guide for outpatient settings available for download
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers free resource
10/16/2013
Visual inspection compared to other methods of assessing cleaning
Study showed that visual inspection performed at least as well as commercial methods
10/16/2013
Environmental services associate lauded for act of kindness
Florida hospital employee befriended young paient undergoing chemotherapy treatments
10/15/2013
Poor EHR use can become a liability issue
One of the key risks occurs when practices fail to adjust work flows to accommodate the new technology
10/15/2013
California medical center takes a fresh approach to meals
Chef Craig Thomas brings healthier food, attitudes to Enloe Medical Center
10/15/2013
Medical groups say new maintenance standards would lead to higher risk
Letter to CMS claims allowing hospitals to set their own standards would erode safety precautions for the devices that perform MRIs and other procedures
10/15/2013
Illinois hospital unveils new patient safety initiative
Ottawa facility is only in region to launch eICU remote monitoring technology
10/14/2013
Fletcher Allen named one of America's greenest hospitals
Vermont facility was one of the first organizations in the country to sign Health Care Without Harm's 'Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge'
10/14/2013
New report estimates societal cost of HAIs at a high of nearly $150 billion annually
Earlier report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the direct medical costs of HAIs to U.S. hospitals as $28.4 billion to $33.8 billion per year
10/14/2013
Technology-enabled furnishings can enhance the patience experience
In the digital era, 'smart' furniture can also help improve patient care
10/14/2013
Park Nicollet Clinic adds digital signage for wayfinding, social media access
Minnesota facility's network includes on-demand video content provides interactive wayfinding, and highlights social media updates in real time
10/11/2013
Affordable Care Act may give hospital value analysis efforts a boost
Supply chain at the center of a healthcare organization's plans to justify the selection and use of products and services
10/11/2013
Joint Commission hospital accreditation survey mistakes to avoid
Hospitals' ability to identify weaknesses in their organization and implement strategies crucial
10/11/2013
Connecticut Hospital to undergo $30 million energy makeover
Potential projects include installing more efficient lighting; lighting control, heating and cooling upgrades; energy-efficient windows
10/11/2013
Web-based training program lauded for improving worker safety
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center addressed the need for a consistent and standardized work-safety training program to meet regulatory requirements for its maintenance employees
10/10/2013
Safety of bed rails questioned after patient deaths
Federal committee currently working on voluntary standards for adult portable bed rails
10/10/2013
Kimberly-Clark offers hand hygiene education program
Initiative designed to engage healthcare professionals and empower patients to create a safer healthcare environment
10/10/2013
Bellwether League honors nine for healthcare supply chain leadership
Winners lauded for their contributions to the delivery of quality care through efficient and innovative supply chain operations
10/10/2013
AHE launches a environmental sustainability certificate program
The program will acknowledge the environment and ecological sustainability efforts of healthcare environmental service departments
10/10/2013
Strike looms for hospitals' dietery, housekeeping staff in British Columbia
About 75 Cowichan health-care workers are in a strike position as negotiations drag with employee Compass Group
10/9/2013
Manufacturers developing materials for cleanability and germ resistance
Safer surfaces help facilities look great while maintaining clean and safe environments of care
10/9/2013
Integrated Healthcare hospitals adopt new IT system to enhance patient safety.
System can help preemptively identify gaps in patient safety practices
10/9/2013
It knows if you've washed your hands
Wearable device designed to improve hospitals' hand hygiene
10/9/2013
Protecting patients in an era of BYOD security
Health care facilities concerned should update their security infrastructure accordingly and to create policies and procedures for the access of facility data on personal devices.
10/9/2013
Ozone laundry system expected to mean energy savings Wisconsin hospital
Columbia Health Care Center unveils system that uses oxygen to kill germs
10/8/2013
Billings Clinic practices for power outage
Staff at Montana healthcare center conducts patient evacuation exercises
10/8/2013
New guidelines may help infection control at residential facilities
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Ronald McDonald House partner to release the guidelines
10/8/2013
St. Thomas hospital cited for medical waste violations
DPNR orders immediate action at Schneider Regional Hospital
10/8/2013
Disruption should be avoided in healthcare analytics
Hospitals and physicians must consider carefully how healthcare analytics can become part of their workflows
10/8/2013
Case study: El Centro Regional Medical Center solves printer management headache
UniPrint Infinity universal print driver chosen for ease of management and deployment and immediate ROI
10/8/2013
Patient portal business booming
About 50 percent of U.S. hospitals and 40 percent of ambulatory practicehave some type of portal technology
10/7/2013
How will healthcare organizations manage the data explosion?
Large and small organizations explore ways to meet their growing data storage needs
10/7/2013
Hospital studies ways to improving relaxation
Acute care orthopedic patients given meditation CDs or sound machines
10/7/2013
Cintas issues 10 tips to help comply with the HIPAA Omnibus Rule
Compliance deadline for new rule occurred on Sept. 23
10/4/2013
Will healthcare turn into a Walmart-like experience?
IT revolution may replace some personal touches with large scale efficiencies
10/4/2013
The way to better healthcare may be by plane, train or automobile
Fierce Healthcare blog looks at lessons airline industry can offer healthcare
10/3/2013
15 things to know about the HIPAA Omnibus Final Rule
If you're still not 100 percent sure your HIPAA ducks are in a row, here are 15 things you must know
10/3/2013
Changes in Australian healthcare expands market for facilities management
Service providers that cater to community, aged care, and residential care facilities expected to see growth, but lower demand for facilities such as linen or food services seen
10/3/2013
Health information exchange organizations still paper dependent
64 percent of the HIOs reported that sharing data with hospitals not participating in an HIO was conducted via fax
10/2/2013
Johns Hopkins backs effort to fast-track health IT ideas
DreamIt Health Baltimore boot camp seeks applicants for Jan. start date
10/1/2013
Doctors spending more money on IT, report says
Federal incentives - and potential penalties - are driving the increased investments
10/1/2013
Health care leaders address senate committee on HAI reduction
Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee looks at efforts to reduce healthcare-associated infections
10/1/2013
A collection of insights into the HIPAA Omnibus final rule
MedCity News puts together reference guide to the impact of rules changes that have recently gone into effect
10/1/2013
Lurie Children's Hospital giving parking passes to families of NCIU patients
Foundation honoring tiny former patient raised more than $200,000 to subsidize parking and public transportation
10/1/2013