Blogs - February 2018
Study: Cleaning is as bad for women's lungs as smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day
No effect was found on the lungs of men, whether they cleaned professionally or just as part of their domestic chores.
2/28/2018
Health IT infrastructure needs security upgrades
Healthcare organizations need more sophisticated security solutions
2/28/2018
Some Florida nursing homes struggling to comply with new back-up power rules
Florida enacted new regulations after 14 Broward County nursing home patients after Hurricane Irma
2/28/2018
Mayo Clinic hits energy savings goal two years early
In 2011, Mayo set a goal to reduce energy use by 20 percent before 2020
2/27/2018
Hospital dashboard helps manage patient capacity and beds
Boston Children's Hospital has outgrown its facility, so analytics for patient placement has become critical while it waits for new buildings
2/27/2018
‘Me Generation’ changing senior living expectations
Assisted living communities becoming as much hospitality as healthcare
2/27/2018
Wisconsin hospital boosting security after infants' injuries found
State agency investigating nurse after several babies were injured while in the hospital's neo-natal intensive care unit
2/26/2018
Copper-coated uniforms could curb infection transmission
Healthcare professionals could soon be wearing uniforms brushed with these tiny copper nanoparticles
2/26/2018
Maine healthcare facilities bracing for worsening of flu season
Swamped emergency rooms in Portland sending patients elsewhere
2/26/2018
Infection problems could cost Michigan healthcare facility its Medicare patients
An investigation found the hospital is not compliant with infection control standards
2/26/2018
Legionnaires' found at Illinois mental health facility
A patient at the Chester Mental Health Center in Chester has been diagnosed
2/26/2018
Florida hospital says it's prepared for mass shooting
The healthcare facility uses lessons learned from tragedies and incorporates them in its plans.
2/23/2018
Tougher penalties sought for patients who assault Hawaii healthcare workers
There were 1,075 assaults against healthcare workers in Hawaii hospitals, nursing homes and patients’ homes in 2017
2/23/2018
Study suggests hand-washing helps decrease nursing home deaths
Researchers recommend using hospital hand-hygiene protocols
2/23/2018
Report finds healthcare lagging in cybersecurity protocols
The healthcare industry is one of the lowest performing industries in terms of endpoint security
2/22/2018
Compliance 101: Mitigating ligature risks in behavioral health patient care environments
For the last 12 to 18 months, The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have increased inspection surveys for ligature and other self-harm risks in behavioral health patient care areas
2/22/2018
Washington hospital screening visitors at front door for flu-like symptoms
Visitors get color-coded tags upon entering facility
2/21/2018
Advances in tools expand drain cleaning versatility
Changes have meant greater power and versatility for technicians
2/21/2018
Dealing with a healthcare facility linen hoarding
One of the biggest challenges laundry and linen services in a healthcare facility is linen hoarding
2/21/2018
Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Clean storage in an EVS closet
Brad Keyes discusses regulations for clean storage in an EVS closet
2/21/2018
Are fire safety and sustainability at odds?
It’s usually possible to work toward both goals simultaneously
2/21/2018
Disinfecting robot can help fight HAIs
Studies demonstrate benefits and explore strategies for use
2/21/2018
The important role your facilities team plays in patient care
Beyond first impressions, elements of the physical environment continue to play a critical role in patient satisfaction for the duration of their stay
2/20/2018
Reducing cross-contamination risk in healthcare facilities
Environmental cleaning specialists offer tips to help control infections
2/20/2018
Woman claims OK hospital bathroom was infested with bugs
Hospital staff cleaned the shower with bleach after being alerted to the bugs
2/20/2018
Fake paramedic found wandering the halls of Royal Adelaide hospital
Incident represents a major security breach for the newly opened Australian hospital
2/20/2018
Bed bug histamines persistent in infested areas
New research suggests bed bugs are a medically important threat
2/16/2018
Supporting staff during a healthcare facility downsizing
As the healthcare landscape transforms, organizations face reengineering initiatives, restructurings, redundancies and downsizings
2/16/2018
W.Va. healthcare facility postpones surgeries due to sterilization issues
Cabell Huntington Hospital found residue on equipment and surgical trays
2/16/2018
Deadly ‘superbug’ fungus may be spreading
Number of U.S. patients infected with Candida auris has climbed to 200
2/16/2018
Report surveys Texas hospitals on Harvey-related issues
Texas Hospital Association analyzes Texas hospitals' disaster response before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey and difficulties they faced, notably in security
2/16/2018
Hospitals cancel surgeries after cracks found in operating room walls
The closure comes just over a week after dust contamination also closed the surgery area
2/16/2018
Managing healthcare facilities' airborne pathogens
The air is the source of more than one-third of nosocomial infections
2/15/2018
Healthcare facility infrastructure: The first step in patient safety
Having an intelligent infrastructure in place can help create healthier, better outcomes for patients and their families
2/15/2018
Report examines Texas hospitals' hurricane response
The Texas Hospital Association released a special report on the disaster response
2/15/2018
Seamless flooring for low-dust environments
Airborne particles are home to an incredibly diverse population of dust-residing microbes, including not only bacteria and viruses, but also fungi, algae and protozoa
2/15/2018
Tips for medical device cyber security
Device cybersecurity called the biggest challenge hospital face today
2/15/2018
$4.1M project to cut Conn. healthcare facility energy, water use
Efficiency services agreement (ESA) project with is expected to reduce its energy and water use by more than 20 percent
2/15/2018
Resident's death at Wisconsin memory care facility raises security questions
Patient froze to death in December after wandering outside the facility
2/14/2018
Are biofilms from hospital shower pipes harmful?
Some new bacteria with characteristics of species known to be harmful were seen
2/14/2018
Colorado nursing home cited for residents' violence
Residents grabbed, kicked, bit and punched staff members
2/14/2018
Improvements for Missouri veterans homes urged
Report says facilities should encourage staff to report problems
2/14/2018
Hospitals using mobile units, tents to manage flu cases
Units are used to treat patients and free up beds
2/13/2018
Healthcare workers protesting 32 hospitals in California
More than 55,000 Kaiser Permanente employees in California are members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West
2/13/2018
Best conditions for Legionella bacteria growth
Warm tap water with dissolved organic matter supports the growth of biofilms
2/13/2018
Norovirus outbreak among security staff suspected at Olympic Games
The South Korean military has been deployed to cover
2/12/2018
Hospital toilet flushing can spread pathogens
Study shows particle concentrations before and after the flush were significantly different
2/12/2018
Winter Olympics will have robots to do the cleaning
The robots will assist athletes, clean venues, provide translation and even ski.
2/12/2018
Evacuating a hospital in the middle of a wildfire
ASPR interview examines emergency actions during California disaster
2/12/2018
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Optimizing the chiller plant delivers operational efficiencies and beats expected cost savings
2/12/2018
Hospitals enforce stricter visitation rules during bad flu season
Flu activity in the U.S. has increased for 10 weeks in a row
2/9/2018
S. Korea prepping for potential disease outbreaks at Olympics
Study shows particle concentrations before and after the flush were significantly different
2/9/2018
How to prepare your facility for a nuclear attack
Current events have brought preparations for a nuclear disaster to the forefront
2/9/2018
Hospitalizations for flu nearing 10-year high
The overall hospitalization rate was 51.4 per 100,000 population for the week ending Jan. 27
2/8/2018
Hospital cancels surgeries due to dust mess
A layer of dust was reported to be on the floor of operating rooms requiring the area to be deep cleaned
2/8/2018
7,000 Winnipeg healthcare workers merge union chapters
The new collective includes workers at longterm care homes, community clinics, the Health Sciences Centre, and Grace, Concordia and Seven Oaks hospitals
2/8/2018
N.H. healthcare facility boosts security after shooting
The improvements include five additional full-time security positions and bulletproof vests for security officers
2/8/2018
Calif. hospital cafeteria workers and housekeepers strike for better pay and benefits
The workers are employees of Sodexo, which the hospital's operator contracts with at several California healthcare facilities
2/8/2018
Florida nurse's flu rant goes viral
Nurse: 'There is a cesspool of funky flu at the E.R. right now'
2/7/2018
Colorado hospital suspends surgeries due to sterilization problems
Process at Aspen Valley Hospital compromised
2/7/2018
The value of daylighting, even with LEDs
Even when LEDs mimic sunlight, expert see LEDs as complementary to — but not replacing — daylighting strategies
2/7/2018
Air source heat pumps gaining ground
Reduced carbon emissions and reduced installed cost are creating a huge demand
2/7/2018
Atlanta hospital opens mobile ER to handle flu overflow
Grady Memorial Hospital ER normally sees 400 patients a day but the number has grown to above 500
2/6/2018
Air filters focused on efficiency
Advances in air filter efficiency and performance standards offer more potential benefits for organizations and occupants.
2/6/2018
Woman missing from Ohio nursing home for 8 hours found dead from cold
Door alarm designed to prevent wandering did not work
2/6/2018
Apple app may mean the end of the healthcare facility fax
With iPhone Health app, patients will soon be able to download and view health records on their phones
2/6/2018
Healthcare facilities taking extra precautions this flu season
Clinics staff members are cleaning bathrooms with microbacterial disinfectant after each patient
2/6/2018
Flu season also taking financial toll on hospitals
Hospital costs are expected to spike because of lower reimbursement rates
2/5/2018
Tips for an energy-efficient light design
By employing energy-conscious lighting design, facilities can reap significant cost savings and reduce their environmental footprint
2/5/2018
W.V. healthcare facility providing own security personnel
A staff of 28 security officers is replacing contract service providers
2/5/2018
Defective wiring suspected in South Korea hospital fire
Fire killed dozens and injured more than 150
2/2/2018
Restroom design working to keep healthcare facilities healthy
Restrooms in healthcare environments are the perfect storm for the spread of infectious disease
2/2/2018
Nurses union lauds violence reduction plan
Nova Scotia Nurses Union is happy with the progress being made toward reducing violence against healthcare workers
2/2/2018
Former hospital guard charged in patient’s death doesn't see wrongdoing
Prosecutors say guards used excessive force to restrain patient ultimately causing a fatal neck injury
2/2/2018
Shooting at St. Louis hospital spurs debate on armed security guards
A patient wielding knives at Barnes-Jewish Hospital was shot to death
2/1/2018
Green cleaning in a senior care setting
Is 'green cleaning' and 'sustainability' the same thing?
2/1/2018
Internet of medical things expected to transform healthcare
The IoMT can help monitor patients,alert caregivers and give healthcare providers data needed to identify issues before they become critical
2/1/2018
