Blogs - March 2016
Why customer service matters in healthcare
How a facility is perceived affects the amount of government funding it receives
3/30/2016
Common lapses in healthcare facility infection prevention
These mistakes are likely to lead to a CMS citation
3/30/2016
Nurse calls for increased hospital safety after attack
University of Minnesota Medical Center nurse urges change after being attacked by patient
3/29/2016
N.J. healthcare facility fighting for safer chemical regulations
Hackensack University Medical Center is working to rid healthcare devices and products of unsafe chemicals
3/29/2016
Oklahoma hospital adjusting to campus expansion
Construction project triples the square footage of the St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital campus
3/29/2016
Paper and printing as a key source of communication for healthcare
There will always be a distinct, tangible need for a hard, physical iterations of documents
3/29/2016
C. diff called deadly plague American hospitals refuse to face
Opinion piece in the New York Post says hospitals and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are bungling their response to spread of infection
3/28/2016
The physical environment can improve healthcare
Patient safety has to be part of every department mission to be effective
3/28/2016
Hospital parking permit plan has staff fearing for safety
657 hospital employees were refused parking permits on site during normal working hours
3/28/2016
Healthcare enters new cybersecurity era
Targeted attacks appear to be significantly more threatening
3/28/2016
Q&A on locks on patient sleeping rooms
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about locks on patient sleeping rooms
3/28/2016
Are biofilms from hospital shower pipes harmful?
Some new bacteria with characteristics of species known to be harmful were seen
3/24/2016
Study looks at disinfection of mobile devices
Healthcare facilities must clean mobile surfaces properly
3/24/2016
Canadian hospital handles ransomware attack
Ottawa hospital restored its computers after wiping their hard drives
3/23/2016
Atlanta hospital upgrades environmental services
Gwinnett Medical Center maintains its operating budget while servicing more square footage
3/23/2016
Keys to healthcare facility maintenance excellence
Preventive and predictive maintenance, preventive maintenance optimization and corrective maintenance are important factors
3/23/2016
CDC compares hospital cleaning methods
Research aims at narrowing down best practices for reducing HAIs
3/23/2016
Bacterial biofilms in hospital water pipes may be pathogenic
Researchers discover potentially pathogenic bacteria living inside water supply pipes
3/22/2016
Working with law enforcement for better healthcare facility security
Communicating a potential threat to all staff members is key
3/22/2016
Kansas College Hospitals to allow guns on campus
The hospitals will hire additional officers and ban guns in certain buildings
3/21/2016
Hospitality a key component for senior care facilities
The little things are making the difference to residents
3/21/2016
Healthcare facilities are among the most common applications for antimicrobial and antibacterial coatings
Antimicrobial agents are toxic to bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while antibacterial agents are effective against bacteria
3/21/2016
Ohio behavioral facility reviewing security after employees assaulted
Two court-ordered patients at Heartland Behavioral Healthcare escaped the facility by stealing an employee's car
3/21/2016
Ontario healthcare facility to close cafeteria to 'stem losses'
Brantford General Hospital's cafeteria only operated a few hours a day
3/18/2016
Focus on positive patient experiences is the new trend for healthcare equipment
Ergonomically designed workstations support complex and changing care workflows
3/18/2016
Stolen laptop leads to data breach in Kansas healthcare facility
Valley Hope Association announced a data security breach after a work-issued laptop is stolen from an employee’s car
3/17/2016
Healthcare laundry equipment installed ‘cleanly’ at medical research facility
Installers had to strip, shower and change into scrubs, shoes and hair nets provided to do the work
3/17/2016
Infection rates decline at Florida hospital
Infection rates decreased at Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital after the hospital began using germ-zapping robots
3/17/2016
Dealing with workplace violence at ambulatory care facilities
Freestanding site healthcare workers' risk may be elevated because police or security officers are not routinely assigned to these locations
3/16/2016
Massachusetts healthcare facilities commit to antibiotic stewardship through food purchasing
Hospitals are partnering with Massachusetts Hospital Association and Health Care Without Harm
3/16/2016
Vermont healthcare facility honored for food service
University of Vermont Medical Center is recognized by The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association with 2016 Silver Plate Awards
3/16/2016
Q&A on connecting bridges
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about connecting bridges
3/16/2016
Lean approach can boost OR cleaning efficiency
Operating rooms often feel pressure for quick turnover times
3/16/2016
Hospital held ransom highlights healthcare as a vulnerable cyber target
Facility management can improve their decision-making and potential crisis outcomes by coming up with a plan in advance
3/15/2016
Healthcare facilities evolving as America's obesity rates rise
Sturdier medical equipment and heavier-duty hospital beds have been developed, but lifts are still an issue
3/15/2016
Changes to ICC building and fire codes
Code changes were developed for both the IBC and the IFC, and many passed for the 2015 versions
3/15/2016
Elite are among America's germiest hospitals
One-third of hospitals rated by Consumer Reports got low scores on how well they prevent Clostridium difficile
3/14/2016
UV mobile device sterilizer designed to reduce contamination
Device management system disinfects mobile devices while charging, syncing and managing them
3/14/2016
Ensuring hospital power system reliability
Planning, design, installation, inspection, maintenance all play a part
3/14/2016
Lead found in water at N.J. healthcare facility
The staff has been using bottled water in lieu of tap water for drinking and food preparation at Morristown Medical Center
3/11/2016
Free webcast offered on reducing hospital-acquired infections
The CleanLink webcast's learning objectives include reviewing key infection control hot spots specific to healthcare, and discussing how reduce their risk
3/11/2016
Joint Commission updates sentinel event statistics
Most frequently reported types of events and the most frequently identified root causes are included
3/11/2016
ERs working to improve autistic patients' experience
More healthcare facilities are adding comfort aids, quiet waiting rooms
3/11/2016
Indiana hospital disarms its police officers
IU Health La Porte's security force was disarmed when Community Health Systems officially took ownership of 80 percent of the facility
3/10/2016
Antibacterial properties of graphene-oxide explored
Coating medical instruments and devices in the carbon-based material could help to reduce infections
3/10/2016
Minnesota hospitals best-rated rooms
Five hospitals were recognized by patients for having the cleanest rooms
3/10/2016
Do armed guards make health facility pharmacies safer?
Fifty-two percent of hospital security guards currently carry handguns, according to a 2014 International Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation report
3/9/2016
Creating a good first impression for a senior care facility
A good way to ensure a positive impression is by thinking of all of the five senses
3/8/2016
Keeping elderly patients safe and secure
Video interview discusses the issues associated with providing a safe environment for patients with memory and other issues
3/7/2016
Today's smoke evacuators clear surgical smoke at the source
Latest devices can be affordable, quiet and effective
3/7/2016
Lean initiatives can help healthcare facilities' environmental services' bottom line
A recent survey reported that most healthcare environmental services leaders have felt pressure to keep costs down
3/7/2016
Study finds increase in use when hand sanitizer is located in hospital lobby
Placing alcohol-based hand sanitizers in front of the visitor entrance increases visitor usage by 528 percent
3/7/2016
Height-adjustable bathroom fixtures can make life easier for people with mobility challenges
Fixtures have been designed to allow quick and easy height and position adjustability
3/6/2016
Ways healthcare facilities can reduce their environmental footprint
Industry urged to lead the way on climate change
3/4/2016
Hospitals to cut purchases of furniture with antimicrobials
The Safer Chemicals Challenge is created to reduce the use of five chemicals in healthcare facilities
3/4/2016
Cardiovascular care facility removes fabrics to boost infection control
Allegheny General Hospital's new $26 million cardiovascular care facility has minimal linen and no curtains
3/4/2016
Selecting a healthcare facility's uninterruptible power supply
UPS units regulate voltage when imaging equipment is in use, ensuring scans are successful and the facility does not lose power
3/4/2016
Designing a biocontainment unit
Early involvement of the frontline staff is crucial to creating a unit that meets the complex safety, operational, and psychological needs of clinicians, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/4/2016
Preparing for the emergencies in a healthcare facility
The challenge is to strike a balance between creating a secure facility and maintaining an open, welcoming environment
3/3/2016
Lighting company testing fixtures that can kill bacteria
Researchers determined a wavelength of light — 405 nanometers — can kill bacteria by creating a reaction that’s identical to pouring common household bleach on it
3/3/2016
Q&A on interior finish
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about interior finish
3/3/2016
ES staff forms choir to boost patient engagement
The University of North Carolina Hospitals Environmental Services Gospel Choir has changed the perception of what the housekeeping team is capable of doing
3/3/2016
Throwback photo of disaster planning
St. Louis hospitals revise disaster planning after tornado
3/2/2016
Low-voltage infrastructure important for healthcare facilities
A seamless activation of information communication technology systems is possible, but requires planning, collaboration and expertise
3/2/2016
Hospitals need dependable and cost-efficient power
Most hospitals operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and must deal with a unique set of regulations and technical requirements
3/1/2016
Benchmarks for hospital room cleaning times
Hospital room cleaning-time benchmarks should be specific with regard to room type, cleaning procedure and whether isolation precautions were present
3/1/2016
Study says copper surfaces destroy MRSA
Contamination often occurs via fingertips, drying rapidly unlike visible droplets
3/1/2016
N.Y. hospital security manager puts safety first
Retired police senior investigator now at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel
3/1/2016
N.C. gets $9 million mobile disaster hospital
Federal Surplus Property has donated the FEMA-authorized mobile hospital unit to the state’s Office of Emergency Medical Services
3/1/2016