Infection Control - January 2015
Are present hospital security plans enough?
Security has been a top topic of discussion within Greater Boston's healthcare community
1/30/2015
Georgia hospital earns thousands of dollars for saving energy
Midtown Medical Center was presented a rebate check for $27,600 for making energy efficiency improvements
1/30/2015
Scottish hospital recognized for energy efficiency
NHS Ayrshire & Arran awarded for contribution to energy efficiency and renewable technologies
1/30/2015
Emory hospitals turn their operating rooms 'green'
Hospitals are reducing and diverting waste with a new recycling program in the operating rooms and other patient care areas
1/30/2015
East Coast providers were ready for massive storm
Hospitals stocked up on medical and surgical supplies, drugs and food
1/29/2015
Clinicians' use of mobile devices increasing
Twenty-eight percent of all U.S. hospitals reported using smartphones in 2014 compared with 26 percent in 2013
1/29/2015
Protecting laundry workers from Ebola threat
Healthcare clients should be informed not to send to a laundry any linens that have been used in cases of confirmed or suspected Ebola
1/28/2015
Worcester hospital trains for 'active shooter' situation
Security is top of mind in the area are a fatal shooting at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston
1/28/2015
Wisconsin hospital chef launches business to help healthcare kitchens
New enterprise will change menus and recipes, overhaul kitchen systems and train staff
1/28/2015
Ohio health systems establishes own police force
Holzer Health System recently established a police department for some of its facilities
1/28/2015
Choosing the right disinfecting products
Most facilities clean and disinfect with quaternary ammonium products
1/28/2015
Survey shows acceptance of video doctor visits growing
Sixty-four percent of patients recently surveyed saying they are would consider a video chat with their doctor instead of an in-person visit
1/28/2015
Operating room lights burn patients at Oregon hospital
Hospital staff changes diffusers on the halogen lights but leaves out the filters
1/27/2015
Walmart is getting retail healthcare right
They have a better understanding than traditional healthcare providers of what patients really want, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
1/27/2015
Emergency illumination in mechanical room Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about emergency illumination in mechanical rooms
1/27/2015
After Boston Hospital shooting, area facilities revisit security
After a cardiovascular surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital was fatally shot, facilities are focusing on safety procedures
1/26/2015
How much of a threat is gun violence in hospitals?
Three recent shootings in healthcare settings make national headlines
1/26/2015
Police work with Ohio hospitals' security forces
Canton-area police, area hospital security forces meet to share expectations of one another's role
1/26/2015
CDC: Keep patients out of waiting room for early flu treatment
CDC urges providers to use phone triage first to facilitate treatment
1/26/2015
Healthier healthcare interiors trends
Innovative organizations are using an intentional approach to avoid products, services and materials that can have negative impacts
1/23/2015
Whitepaper explores firewall breaches
Paper details how to investigate, resolve firewall breaches
1/23/2015
Burst pipe damages Virginia hospital
Hospital maintenance staff works to clean up the water damage in the Halifax Regional Hospital cafeteria
1/23/2015
Idaho behind on inspecting health facilities
There is a backlog of 275 overdue surveys and 135 open complaints awaiting investigation
1/23/2015
Security re-examined after doctor killed inside Boston hospital
A man shot and fatally wounded a doctor inside a Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston before killing himself
1/22/2015
Future of the healthcare supply chain
Data is the key to unlocking the supply chain challenges facing the industry
1/22/2015
Alberta hospital infrastructure called years behind because of neglect
New Democratic Party says patients and healthcare workers is at risk because the government has neglected hospital infrastructure for years
1/22/2015
Sprinklers in air handlers Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about sprinklers in air handlers
1/22/2015
VA police cite nationwide security lapses after shooting
Force is renewing calls for more staff, better training and increased resources
1/22/2015
Case Study: Using Wi-Fi to keep up with changing patient needs
Through access to the Wi-Fi network, patients are able to gain an insight into their own treatment
1/21/2015
Disinfecting robots could be worth the investment, report says
Disinfection robots are at the top of the ECRI Institute's 2015 Top 10 Hospital C-Suite Watch List
1/21/2015
Boston hospitals reduce energy use, emissions
Facilities decrease their energy use by 4 percent and emissions by 2.9 percent from 2011 to 2013
1/21/2015
Lighting choices can improve patient experience and bottom line
LED lighting offers controllability and energy efficiency
1/21/2015
Hospitals' fried chicken tradition at odds with health mission
'Fried Chicken Wednesdays' are popular with the community and the hospital's bottom line, but at odds with its healthy philosophy
1/20/2015
Ensuring your emergency messaging system is disaster-ready
Traditional methods of communication can add to the confusion and disorganization
1/20/2015
Controlling infections in waiting rooms
Clinics urged to create safer waiting rooms to help protect against the spread of the influenza virus
1/20/2015
Indiana hospital creates police department
IU Health LaPorte swears in five officers to respond to increased violence
1/19/2015
Comparing accreditation programs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has authorized five organizations to survey hospitals for their compliance with the Conditions of Participation
1/19/2015
ES staffing equation impacts hospital bottom line
Staffing is an environmental services department largest expense
1/19/2015
Foodservice tableware can make effective first impression
Long-term care residents consistently rate cleanliness of tableware as important as food quality and taste
1/16/2015
Mississippi hospital storm ready
Rush Hospital in Meridian was awarded the StormReady designation by the National Weather Service
1/16/2015
Behavioral health design comes with its own regulations
Furniture and equipment for behavioral patients are vastly different from what is typically provided in general hospitals
1/16/2015
Construction barrier doors Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about construction barrier doors
1/16/2015
Infection control a high priority for healthcare facility managers
Among the areas of primary concern to FMs in managing this problem is air pressure and airflow
1/15/2015
Broken water main floods Pontiac hospital
The emergency room at McLaren Hospital in Pontiac, Mich., closed to new patients after an overnight water main break caused flooding
1/15/2015
Patient, doctor suffer electric shocks at Scottish hospital
Medical equipment malfunctions during an examination at the Jubilee Hospital in Huntly
1/15/2015
Ontario hospital FM spent career pursuing efficiency
Retiring facilities manager calls making his hospital more energy efficient - saving $400,000 a year - his greatest achievement.
1/15/2015
Maintaining power during an earthquake
Selecting certified power solutions ensures that buildings are equipped with the best materials possible
1/15/2015
California hospital plans seismic study
Tehachapi Hospital will undergo tests for seismic safety to allow the facility to remain in use
1/14/2015
New Kaiser hospital features updated technology
New California seismic standards spurred many hospitals to decide whether to replace or retrofit facilities
1/14/2015
The 'Internet of things' can offer solutions or new problems
Healthcare facility professionals will have to keep up with increasing rates of technological change
1/14/2015
North Carolina hospital forms police department
Lenoir Memorial Hospital in Kinston is building its own police force to enhance safety
1/13/2015
Acronyms facility managers should know
Computer-aided design (CAD) is full of acronyms that facility managers should know
1/13/2015
Occupant load calculation Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about occupant load calculation
1/13/2015
New York hospital cafe cited for safety problems
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw was cited by health inspectors for food safety violations
1/12/2015
Lighting can improve patient experience
Aesthetic lighting can also positively impact staff attitudes
1/12/2015
Military jet transformed into a flying hospital
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III turned into a flying triage unit so doctors can stabilize, monitor and give soldiers high-level care
1/9/2015
New Mexico court says 'Wet Floor' sign is a safety device
The court said the term 'safety device' must be given a broad interpretation
1/9/2015
Ebola offers lessons for facilities
Hand-washing, personal protective equipment and pristine techniques central to infection control
1/9/2015
Report: NHS hospitals call police 175 times a day
Incidents up from previous year with alcohol cited as main cause
1/9/2015
Mobile options for emergency communication
Many healthcare facilities don't take advantage of mobile solutions for emergency management
1/9/2015
Healthcare facilities 2015 and beyond
Real estate and facilities services will see changes in products, delivery models and relationships
1/8/2015
Supply chain technology can save time, money
New software and devices can help to keep track of hospital supplies
1/8/2015
Humidity in sterile storage rooms Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about humidity in sterile storage rooms
1/8/2015
Canadian scientists find key to trapping bedbugs
Pheromones that lure the bed bugs into traps and keep them there are discovered
1/7/2015
Boston Hospitals cut energy use by 6 percent, despite continued facility growth
Energy conservation and efficiency investments have cut sector energy use by 6 percent in two years, eliminating the annual green house gas emissions of 7,486 passenger vehicles
1/7/2015
Hospitals adding technology to cleaning routines
Environmental services departments are adding technology to help fight infections, measure cleaning thoroughness
1/7/2015
Planning for disaster and power recovery
It is important to have integrated hospital contingency plans addressing power and HVAC
1/7/2015
New Hampshire hospitals react to fatal shooting at area facility
Hospitals say public safety measures are top priority after an apparent murder-suicide in the critical care unit at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
1/6/2015
Four Kansas facilities recognized for new food and beverage policies
Kansas Hospital Education and Research Foundation recognizes facilities for providing healthier food options
1/6/2015
Ontario hospital receives funding for equipment improvements
Funds will help enhance services in long-term rehabilitation and complex continuing care
1/6/2015
Medicare cuts payments to 721 hospitals for hospital-acquired conditions
The HAC Program is aimed at reducing preventable harm to patients by penalizing the 25 percent of hospitals with the highest rates
1/6/2015
New technologies aid hospital design and construction
Tablet, cloud computing boost communication, efficiency
1/5/2015
South Brisbane hospital fixing glitches after complaints
Lady Cilento Children's Hospital working on access to food adequate transportation
1/5/2015
Copper bedrails may fight hospital infections
A study of the effects of copper-alloy surfaces in U.S. hospitals shows promising results
1/2/2015
Group works on Ebola building standard in Africa
Standard designed for the construction of healthcare facility compounds rather than wards or discrete buildings
1/2/2015
Technology boosting building efficiency
BIM, other technologies improving building performance
1/2/2015
U.K. hospital commissions new energy center
Cheltenham General Hospital project is expected to cut carbon emissions by a third with a new combined heat and power system
1/2/2015
Stairwell storage Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about stairwell storage
1/2/2015