Blogs - March 2020
CDC says expired equipment from stockpile OK
The Strategic National Stockpile is a supply of lifesaving drugs and medical supplies
3/31/2020
Javits Center, other facilities temporary hospital sites in NYC
Center will have a total of 2,000 temporary hospital beds
3/31/2020
Navy hospital ship sails to Los Angeles to help with hospital crunch
The former oil supertanker won’t take coronavirus patients
3/31/2020
Coronavirus’s impact on healthcare IT: Supporting real-time needs of hospitals in crisis
Part 1: Navigating device management and redistribution
3/31/2020
Unlocking the smart hospital: Top tips for a successful digital transformation
Hospital leaders can streamline workflow for staff while delivering an elevated patient experience
3/31/2020
Health systems urged to be ready for 15 or 20 percent of staff to have own coronavirus issues
Colorado plans to bring in contract nurses from out of state as well as medical students and professionals
3/30/2020
Illinois lawmakers working to curb Legionnaires’ Disease
New bill focuses on water quality, distribution
3/30/2020
A rural hospital's ‘improvises’ during coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus pandemic presents significant challenges for rural hospitals
3/30/2020
New Pa. healthcare facility to include energy-saving power plant
Allegheny Health Network Wexford Hospital will have a natural gas-fired, two-story power plant
3/30/2020
Three coronavirus questions hospital asks before allowing entry into buildings
The questions were suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
3/30/2020
Michigan healthcare facilities vary in coronavirus screening protocols
Hospitals are implementing state coronavirus restrictions
3/27/2020
Hospital ready with mobile hazmat tent if needed for coronavirus
Tent could be used to safely move a coronavirus patient into the hospital without putting anyone else at risk
3/27/2020
Healthcare facilities managers have a new charter: Creating an exceptional employee experience
Trends driving the evolving role of facilities managers as strategic experience design leaders
3/27/2020
Biometrics, smartphones poised to replace key cards
Key cards can be expensive and technologically obsolete
3/27/2020
Washington hospital workers make masks from office supplies
Workers are dealing with a severe shortage of equipment
3/26/2020
Some hospitals need emergency stocks for coronavirus
Hospitals in that situation can contact their local county health department or EMS agency
3/26/2020
Protecting healthcare workers with location technology
Badges can be a life-saving tool for employees under duress
3/26/2020
Monitoring HVAC levels in sterile processing areas
HVAC must be addressed in compliance with current standards
3/26/2020
Keeping hospital ice machines safe from coronavirus
Following proper ice handling procedures is one more way to stop the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19
3/25/2020
Healthcare security: Why developing a drone use policy is essential
A policy governing who can use, who can approve, when and where they can be used should be developed
3/25/2020
As coronavirus spreads, hospitals deal with shortages
There are approximately 95,000 intensive care beds in the country
3/25/2020
Smart bed helps prevent falls and improve safety
The new beds have safety features, such as a motion-activated night light and can connect with the hospital’s call system
3/25/2020
‘Airborne precautions’ eyed for healthcare staffs after study shows coronavirus can survive in air
Scientists are looking at how humidity, temperature and ultraviolet lighting affects the disease
3/24/2020
Maryland hospitals setting up ‘triage tents’ to assess coronavirus patients
Some hospitals might also use the tents to triage those experiencing noncoronavirus-related symptoms
3/24/2020
People are stealing masks and other sterile supplies from hospitals
US officials have estimated the country only has about 1% of the masks needed for healthcare professionals
3/24/2020
EHR browser extension: Essential tool for optimizing value-based care initiatives
The goal is to aggregate data from every possible source to illustrate the patient’s health status
3/24/2020
Utah hospital sets up negative pressure tents for coronavirus
The tents are completely self-sustaining
3/23/2020
What hospitals need to do to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak
The spike in U.S. cases and daily reports of medical personnel exposure, is that hospital preparedness is critical to avoid a disaster
3/23/2020
U.S. hospitals may face severe PPE shortage
Survey suggests there may be a three-fold increase in demand for N95 masks
3/23/2020
V.A. preps to support healthcare system during coronavirus
Agency is legally designated as nation’s backup health system
3/23/2020
Study: Hospitals will run out of beds if coronavirus cases spike
No state will have enough room for novel coronavirus patients if the surge in severe cases here mirrors that in other countries
3/20/2020
U.S. healthcare facilities offer different pictures of coronavirus preparedness
Some believe their health systems are equipped, others aren't sure
3/20/2020
What hospitals are telling workers about coronavirus
Healthcare providers urged to take 'conservative approach'
3/20/2020
Essential HVAC craftsmanship in healthcare
The North Tower Project at INOVA Loudoun Hospital
3/20/2020
The challenge of mold in modern hospitals and healthcare facilities
Not only does mold cause structural damage to the facility costing them money and potential lost revenue, mold has been directly attributed to healthcare associated infections
3/20/2020
Many highly rated nursing homes have infection-control lapses
Sixty-one percent of nursing homes were cited for one or more infection-control deficiencies in the past few years
3/19/2020
Florida man sets hospital bed on fire to get nurse’s attention
The man tried to flee the hospital after setting the fire
3/19/2020
Ohio children's behavioral health facility designed for safety without intimidation
Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus built its own beds and asked suppliers for custom modifications
3/19/2020
Best practices to keep networks secure
Securing healthcare facilities against cyberattacks has become increasingly complicated
3/19/2020
Boston hospital braces for pandemic with warehouse of emergency supplies
Massachusetts General Hospital's facility contains stockpiles of critical items
3/18/2020
Nurses beg for protective gear and better planning amid coronavirus
Nurses in Washington State and California said they have had to beg for N95 masks
3/18/2020
Take the chill off! Ensuring comfortable conditions in workspaces
Electric heat can be a comfort solution no matter the temperature
3/18/2020
The future of violence response and emergency preparedness in healthcare
Several healthcare organizations have published information to assist security directors
3/18/2020
The future of violence response and emergency preparedness in healthcare
Several healthcare organizations have published information to assist security directors
3/18/2020
Coronavirus preparedness planning for senior living communities
Prepare by keeping up with current events and be ready to implement additional recommendations as they become available
3/17/2020
Nursing homes urged to be extra vigilant on coronavirus
The novel coronavirus that originated is highly transmissible in ways scientists yet don’t fully understand
3/17/2020
Some Amazon sellers accused of price gouging hand sanitizers
Amazon has about 5 million sellers on its site, and 50 percent of its sales are by third-party sellers
3/17/2020
Occupational groups that are at high risk for coronavirus
Healthcare workers have a high risk of contracting coronavirus
3/17/2020
Study finds bacteria in ancient Irish soil stops growth of superbugs
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
3/17/2020
Maximizing healthcare facility HVAC system output
HVAC optimization involves automatically controlling HVAC systems to deliver work at energy-efficient levels
3/17/2020
CMS: Main survey focus will be on infection control preparedness
The shift lets inspectors to focus on the spread of the coronavirus disease
3/16/2020
Balancing security and comfort
Healthcare facilities must ensure safety while maintaining a focus on healing
3/16/2020
Blog: Why hospitals and nursing homes are likely coronavirus epicenters
Officials should focus on getting nursing homes ready
3/16/2020
Florida man can’t bring life-size Trump cutout to dialysis center because of safety, infection control
The man spends about three and a half hours a day, three days a week undergoing dialysis
3/16/2020
Hybrid UV lighting systems evaluated
Eight-hour exposures on counter surfaces were effective for suppressing pathogens
3/16/2020
Inspection, testing and maintenance of door hardware key to security plan
By paying closer attention to the maintenance and performance of doors, hinges, closers, and fire-exit hardware, managers can help improve the safety and security of their facilities
3/16/2020
100+ disinfectants that may kill coronavirus on surfaces
Tests have yet to be completed that confirmed the disinfectants are able to kill this virus
3/13/2020
Telemedicine plays key role in battle against spread of coronavirus
Part of the demand for ID telehealth is the dearth of specialists in areas other than heavily populated urban centers.
3/13/2020
U.S. hospital with coronavirus patients share lessons
Patients are being treated in isolation rooms
3/13/2020
Infection control violations may suggest many hospitals not ready for coronavirus
An outbreak would demand peak performance
3/13/2020
Green building in 2020 - what you need to know
Four main areas — sustainability, resilience, health and wellness, and value for investors — will be trending in 2020
3/13/2020
Updating a healthcare facility ventilation system
For hospital administrators, proper infection control is an important task
3/13/2020
Coronavirus evacuees monitored at Texas Center for Infectious Disease
Facility’s primary function is to treat tuberculosis patients
3/12/2020
Seattle nursing home coronavirus outbreak spotlights elder care risk
Age and close living conditions can increase danger
3/12/2020
N.Y. hospital reduce C. diff rates with process changes
Changes include enhanced monitoring for room turnovers
3/12/2020
CDC estimates flu deaths at 20,000 this season
This season the flu has caused 34 million illnesses
3/11/2020
Design and maintenance key to avoiding mold in healthcare facilities
Candida auris is now one of the world’s most feared microbes in healthcare settings
3/11/2020
La. woman’s hospital increasing security due to increased violence
The hospital also conducting employee training and implementing a lockdown system for patient care areas
3/11/2020
Calif. children’s hospital increases security after shooting threat
A staffer’s allegedly threatened to carry out a shooting rampage
3/11/2020
Healthcare workers question safety measures while prepping for coronavirus
Some say the medical community wasn't fully prepared for previous viruses, like SARS and Ebola — and they're concerned that lessons learned are not being applied
3/10/2020
Judge orders release of Seattle Children's mold records
The judge scolded Public Health of Seattle & King County for staying silent for so long in a case that has been in court for several months
3/10/2020
Prevention beyond PPE – The Importance of environmental hygiene to prevent spread of illnesses
There are several products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogen claims that are available for surface disinfection against SARS-CoV-2
3/10/2020
How are hospitals screening for the coronavirus?
Healthcare facilities are stepping up screening efforts
3/10/2020
Seattle Homeland Security facility shuts down over coronavirus fears
An employee there may be infected with coronavirus
3/10/2020
Anxiety grows as N.Y prepares for epidemic
No confirmed cases have appeared in N.Y., but officials have begun to prepare for the possibility
3/10/2020
Quarantines were almost obsolete, but facilities are now needed
Governments are trying to find somewhere to put coronavirus patients
3/9/2020
U.S. healthcare facilities short on face masks
Many of the protective face masks used in the U.S. are manufactured in China
3/9/2020
Digital certificates play key role in healthcare industry
Initiatives aimed at standardizing use of trusted identities
3/9/2020
Shooting victim found with gun in Minneapolis hospital
Nurse says there's nothing to stop guns from getting in
3/9/2020
Technology that detects falls helps shown to reduce ED services
Reviewing videos helps caregivers determine causes of falls
3/9/2020
Humidifier linked to deadly mold issue at Seattle Children's
The humidifier had was not used for a decade
3/6/2020
Integrated, bundled approach can fight HAIs
Infection control specialists must know how to design and implement an effective infection prevention program
3/6/2020
Indoor cellular coverage got you down? There’s a treatment for that.
Many healthcare facilities have unique construction that needs to be considered when evaluating indoor cellular coverage solutions
3/6/2020
HVAC experts suggest natural ventilation be allowed in most spaces outside of operating rooms
Natural ventilation is defined as the transport of fresh air through non-mechanical means, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/6/2020
County declares emergency after a ninth death was reported in Washington state
King County is purchasing a motel to house coronavirus patients. Washington's death toll is now 10.
3/5/2020
Federal government says it won’t put coronavirus patients in Costa Mesa
The patients have been quarantined at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California
3/5/2020
Water leak stops inpatient services at Wyoming hospital
A leaking hydronic heating system has caused severe water damage on multiple floors throughout the hospital
3/5/2020
Amazon's virtual medical clinic is 'open' for Seattle employees
The app provides virtual medical consultations, as well as a way to schedule a follow-up visit from a health professional
3/5/2020
Survey suggests security cameras do make campuses safer
The majority of hospital, K-12 and higher ed campuses have security cameras
3/5/2020
Increased healthcare facility sanitation practices may not stop C. difficile spread
Research stresses C. Diff is not just a hospital problem
3/4/2020
Hospitals urged to do these four things to prepare for a pandemic
Healthcare facilities should review pandemic and surge plans
3/4/2020
Misconfiguration main cause of healthcare breaches
Misconfiguration due to human error in cloud infrastructures increased by 424 percent
3/4/2020
Second U.S. coronavirus-related death reported in Washington state
The total number of individuals who have tested positive for coronavirus in the area has risen to 10
3/3/2020
CDC confirms first U.S. coronavirus case of unknown origin
The infected individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected person
3/3/2020
Surveyors expected to stress longterm care facilities' infection control compliance amid coronavirus outbreak
Providers were encouraged to review information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
3/3/2020
Coronavirus outbreak should spark focus on infection control
It’s a good time to review transmission-based precautions
3/3/2020
U.S. passengers cruise ship who tested positive for the coronavirus going to Alabama facility
Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston is a FEMA training facility
3/3/2020
Bed bugs found in Toledo adult care facilities
State reports show the bugs infested every bedroom of one facility
3/2/2020
Patient 'edutainment' systems evolving to better serve patients and staff
Having tools to manage their experience can be empowering for patients
3/2/2020
Malware disables Boston Children’s Hospital facilities systems
The main hospital system was not impacted
3/2/2020
Workplace violence training program focuses on healthcare settings
Program focuses on de-escalation and addressing four stages of crises
3/2/2020
