Blogs - May 2019
W.Va. VA healthcare facility makes healthy, tasty food a priority
More than 80% of the the VA Medical Center menu items are made from scratch
5/31/2019
Telemedicine company launched to focus on infectious disease
Infectious Disease Connect will seek to reduce transfers and allow the treatment of patients with infectious diseases in their own communities
5/31/2019
W.Va. healthcare facility installs model train
The 980-square-foot display includes 220 feet of track, three trains on three levels, homes, buildings and other structures
5/31/2019
Sanitizer uses ultraviolet rays to kill viruses on mobile devices
Studies have found that 94 percent of cell phones used by hospital staff carry contaminants
5/31/2019
Study: Hand-hygiene signs not working in healthcare facilities
Researchers placed placards near soap and alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers in two hospital units
5/31/2019
Seattle Children's Hospital operating rooms shut down because of fungus
Air tests detected Aspergillus in several operating rooms and equipment storage rooms
5/30/2019
Escalating workplace violence hits hospitals hard
Many healthcare facilities are increasing security measures to deal with the issue
5/30/2019
Ohio hospital honored for environmental practices
Health system has developed initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve management of electricity and gas usage and increase recycling of hazardous waste
5/30/2019
Report: Healthcare devices are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattack
Forty percent of the devices medical professional are using are IoT devices
5/30/2019
Healthcare facilities changing how they fight superbugs
Drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium difficile have been overcoming antibiotics
5/29/2019
Hospital cybersecurity lagging due to talent gap
Half of organizations lack the security talent needed to remain secure
5/29/2019
New factor that can influence spread of legionella found
Legionella can proliferate less efficiently in amoebae if they contain endosymbionts
5/29/2019
Canadian hospitals hope to cure their lackluster food
Initiative also aims to elevate the role of food as an important part of healing
5/28/2019
The benefits of patient entertainment systems
Modern patient entertainment systems are a great way of putting patients first
5/28/2019
Enhancing operational efficiency, staff satisfaction and patient care with false alarm reduction
A healthcare facility's mission is easily deterred when safety and security systems aren’t performing at an efficient rate, specifically with alarm systems
5/28/2019
C diff. transmitted through non-critical items
Report says proper disinfection of tools is crucial
5/28/2019
Agencies investigating Legionnaires' case at McLaren Flint
Hospital officials acknowledging that a patient may have acquired the disease at the facility
5/24/2019
Study: Outside temperature impacts pathogens in climate-controlled ICUs
The outside temperature can influence the indoor temperature
5/24/2019
Security hired for Manitoba healthcare facilities after city bills for police time
Province announces two guards will be on staff at all times
5/24/2019
When to consolidate clinical testing (core) laboratories.
Increasingly, customers of clinical testing labs want a one-stop shop, particularly as large healthcare systems acquire smaller, more specialized independent practices
5/24/2019
Vancouver VA offers veterans freshly prepared meals
All cooking is done on site, on the same day
5/24/2019
Report says Florida needs to do more to fight disease, other threats
The state lags the national average in healthcare delivery
5/23/2019
Clean water restored to Minn. hospital after power outage
A power outage released too much lime into the city’s water supply
5/23/2019
Calif. hospital looking at options after seismic retrofit funding denied
Hospital leaders have started a public relations campaign reaching out to a diverse group of community members
5/23/2019
An emergency declaration over Ebola could make things worse
The Ebola outbreak in the Congo is challenging the world's capacity to respond
5/22/2019
DC VA patient escaped psychiatric unit, charged with assault
The U.S. House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation
5/22/2019
Understanding high-efficiency rooftop air conditioning units
Companies nationwide could save roughly $1 billion annually in energy costs by replacing 10- to 20-ton RTUs with units that meet the high performance RTU specification
5/22/2019
One third of hospitals earn 'A' in Leapfrog's spring ratings
Of the more than 2,600 hospitals graded, 32 percent earned an "A"
5/22/2019
Heathcare facility floors getting more attention in infection control efforts
Disposable mops may cut down on contamination
5/22/2019
WHO worried about risk of Ebola spread
The death total in the outbreak is 1,105 and response teams are still investigating 310 suspected Ebola cases
5/21/2019
S.C. ER evacuated after man tears sprinkler head from ceiling
The patient also allegedly assaulted a hospital security member who tried to restrain him
5/21/2019
Environmentally friendly practices can impact landscaping
Focusing on equipment performance, water efficiency and chemicals good for operations, environment
5/21/2019
Officials at Chinese hospital fired over poor infection control after five baby deaths
The babies died after contracting an infection caused by Echovirus 11, a type of intestinal virus
5/20/2019
University of Texas new biocontainment care unit is prepared for the next Ebola outbreak
Specialty unit is among 10 U.S. regional centers for highly infectious diseases
5/17/2019
High-quality dining among trends in long-term care
Long-term care communities are also offering private and personalized apartments
5/17/2019
Illinois hospital nearly shut down by floods
Healthcare system wants the city to revamp water drainage system
5/17/2019
'Call to Order’ room service available at Ontario hospitals
Program first introduced in 2011 before being expanded to other facilities
5/17/2019
Study: Few healthcare workers know hand-washing guidelines
Study found that workers performed hand hygiene 35 percent of the time.
5/17/2019
Occupant wellness strategies make financial sense
The WELL Building Standard can guide facilities managers to implement financially meaningful health and wellness strategies
5/17/2019
VA finds officials covered up Legionella at Loma Linda hospital
Staff members said they were not informed of bacteria discovery
5/16/2019
Extinguish these myths about fire emergencies
Understanding how occupants react can help with preparation
5/16/2019
Security cameras in nursing homes present ethical dilemmas
Some say the safety precautions may do more harm than good
5/16/2019
NY dedicates statue to handwashing champion
Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis saw the benefits of handwashing in 1847
5/16/2019
State probe finds Duluth facility's neglect allowed resident to drink cleaning chemical
The facility failed to implement safety precautions, the report said
5/16/2019
Research finds healthcare facility privacy curtains can pose threat to patients
University of Michigan researchers looked at the prevalence of curtains contaminated in skilled nursing facility rooms.
5/15/2019
Michigan health systems collaborate on laundry service facility
Henry Ford Health System, Michigan Medicine and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System have formed a joint venture
5/15/2019
IU health lights up its ‘green side’
A $2 million investment will install thousands of energy-efficient LED lights
5/15/2019
Logansport Memorial Hospital working to avoid another cyber security breach
The only damage done was spamming emails to other employees
5/15/2019
Michigan Legionnaires' cases up in 2018, but death rates drop
The state experienced a 67 percent increase from 2017
5/14/2019
Candida auris cases confirmed in Maryland
Fungal infection has been confirmed in 12 U.S. states
5/14/2019
Common improper hazardous waste management practices
It is important for all healthcare personnel who handle hazardous chemicals or materials to be made aware of these improper practices and be trained accordingly
5/14/2019
Study finds disinfection devices in ICU sinks effective against superbugs
Researchers placed devices on sink siphons that applied heat and electromechanical vibration
5/14/2019
Robot lends a hand at Texas children's hospital
'Moxie' can drop off linens and supplies for patients
5/14/2019
Senator urges feds to declare emergency over Candida auris
Schumer is asking the federal government to allocate millions of dollars to fighting the fungus
5/13/2019
Experts fear disaster as Ebola outbreak threatens to escalate
Ongoing violence aimed at the Ebola response workers is undermining efforts to stop the virus' spread
5/13/2019
Incorporating duress signaling into a facility’s security plan
Hospitals need an easy and fast way for a staff member to send out a distress signal from any spot inside a facility or even in the parking lot
5/13/2019
Specific environmental strategies needed in infection control
World Health Organization publishes priority pathogens list
5/13/2019
Concerns raised that some new hospitals not built to prevent infection
Some members of Parliament say Scotland's hospitals are not being built to a high enough standard
5/10/2019
HHS releases healthcare cybersecurity best practices
Guidance includes 10 best practices for mitigating hacking threats
5/10/2019
Preventing hospital falls with slip-resistant grab bar surfaces
Studies have shown that slips and falls are a serious patient safety issue facing healthcare facilities
5/10/2019
Designing a holistic facilities management plan to protect medical devices
Hospitals can have 10 or more devices per licensed bed, many more than the number of laptop computers
5/10/2019
Outbreak incident in Israel teaches value of infection control
Clean care key to dealing with health emergencies
5/9/2019
Healthcare cloud computing market to exceed $55 billion by 2025
Rising adoption of information technology (IT) in healthcare sector is the key factor driving healthcare cloud computing market growth during the forecast period
5/9/2019
California hospital gets half its energy from solar power
The system will generate 2.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean, renewable power per year
5/9/2019
Superbugs make hand-washing even more important
Annually, drug-resistant germs infect around 2 million Americans and kill more than 20,000
5/9/2019
Congo sets daily record with 23 new Ebola cases
A surge of cases often happens after attacks on the Ebola response
5/8/2019
Nurses at S.C. hospital feared for their safety even before shooting
Hospital leaders are pledging safety improvements
5/8/2019
AI can help close data gaps that can allow drug diversion
AI can identify hidden patterns in daily behavior — including time, location, pain scores, and more.
5/8/2019
Two Legionnaires’ cases reported at Chicago hospital
Mercy has begun flushing its water system, and will alter or replace water fixtures and place filters on sinks
5/7/2019
Levels of power reliability can meet varying facility needs
Strategy creates standardization and collaboration across the entire healthcare enterprise
5/7/2019
Hospitals are boosting hygiene practices to fight superbugs
One of the best ways to prevent ransomware attacks is to educate employees
5/7/2019
Legionnaires' disease found in facilities adjacent to California prison hospital
Tests found the bacteria in the water supply at a prison medical facility in Stockton and at two neighboring youth correctional facilities
5/6/2019
Flu season longest in 10 years
The U.S. has experienced 21 consecutive weeks of elevated flu activity
5/6/2019
Hospital safety evolves after historical St. Anthony fire
The fire killed 77 people and lasted just under two hours
5/6/2019
Baton Rouge nurse's death prompts demands for workplace safety
Advocates said the death indicates a persistent threat of workplace violence to medical workers
5/6/2019
Research says non-sporicidal wipes effective against Candida Auris
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of sporicidal disinfectants
5/6/2019
N.Y. facility's technology designed to decrease patient stress
Design team looked for ways to create a calming experience
5/6/2019
VA doesn’t plan to increase security after suicides
It's a balance between providing a safe and accessible environment
5/3/2019
Two reasons why ambulatory care facilities struggle with infection control standards
The Joint Commission highlights problematic standards for office-based surgery practices
5/3/2019
Food service veteran expects continued heavy chef presence in hospitals
James McGrody, UNC Rex Healthcare, discusses industry and career
5/3/2019
Boston Children’s Hospital using Alexa to help parents and caregivers
Amazon asked healthcare facilities to test Alexa’s new HIPAA-compliant technology
5/2/2019
Cleaning robots could curb spread of 'superbug fungus' in Pa, hospital
Chambersburg Hospital has used UV robots since 2017 in the final step of the cleaning process
5/2/2019
Understand facility needs before implementing best practices
Views on 'best practices' may have to be rethought
5/2/2019
Location-based technologies: A complete infection control solution
With RTLS solutions, healthcare organizations can track hand hygiene compliance and noncompliance events
5/2/2019
Location-based technologies: A complete infection control solution
With RTLS solutions, healthcare organizations can track hand hygiene compliance and noncompliance events
5/2/2019
Calif. investigating Legionnaires' outbreak at prison hospital
One inmate has died and a second inmate tested positive for the bacteria
5/1/2019
Study: Hospital workers can unknowingly spread the flu
Infection control measures in hospitals may be inadequate
5/1/2019
Repeated wearing of clothes increases bacteria for healthcare workers
Level jumps fourfold when clothes are worn more than one shift
5/1/2019
Choosing IoT tools for green buildings
Facility managers can create smart buildings with a careful eye on product selection
5/1/2019
