Infection Control - August 2017
Houston’s hospitals become victims of flood as they work to help
The response to Harvey will show whether health officials learned lessons from Katrina
8/31/2017
Patients at Houston hospital awaited evacuation as food ran low
Water had surrounded Ben Taub Hospital in Houston, closing its main entrance
8/31/2017
How the burning FHIR affects healthcare organizations
With the boon of digitization in healthcare, care delivery became faster and easier, but interoperability got lost somewhere in this revolution
8/31/2017
Hospitals urged to cooperate to beat hackers
Security frameworks and threat intelligence sharing already exist
8/31/2017
Flooded nursing home's residents in viral photo 'doing fine'
Senior citizens have been relocated to nearby facility and hospital
8/30/2017
Houston hospital evacuation delayed by rising water
Water recession from around the facility will likely take several days
8/30/2017
Guidance issued for emerging fungal threat
An increasing number of cases has affected 55 hospitals so far in the U.K.
8/30/2017
Spanish hospital elevator malfunction kills patient
Woman crushed between floors in freak accident
8/29/2017
Study: Wipes more effective against C. difficile
Researchers from the Netherlands find wipes are better than sprays
8/29/2017
Key concerns for healthcare mobile security
Maintaining HIPAA compliance is an essential consideration
8/29/2017
Tips for buying AI-based cybersecurity tools
AI can help mitigate cybersecurity risks by automating tasks and expertise
8/29/2017
Hospital reviewing security after patient stabbing
A 26-year-old female patient was stabbed by a 17-year-old male patient in mental health unit
8/28/2017
Survey shows few hospitals are keeping up with consumer expectations
Only 8 percent of healthcare organizations are applying successful practices to meet these new expectations
8/28/2017
Mayo Clinic Health System workers used simulation space for de-escalation training
More than 100 Mayo physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses and other emergency room staff participated
8/28/2017
Hospital criticized for fox extermination plan
U.K. hospital maternity unit has contacted pest control to remove foxes near building
8/25/2017
IT and clinical engineering convergence. Why now? How?
Today’s medical devices and biomedical/clinical engineering (CE) departments are increasingly dependent upon a health system’s IT infrastructure and expertise.
8/25/2017
Minimizing noise in the OR
Considering the physical environment and identifying ways to reduce distractions
8/25/2017
Top online security blogs to watch
VPN Mentor website lists blogs offering most up-to-date news, insight and analysis
8/25/2017
Bronx-Lebanon Hospital adapts, reviews security after shooting
Security measures have been added and shooting sites are being renovated
8/24/2017
Integrate DG software into ERP system for streamlined shipping compliance
All but the smallest shippers run their operations on enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. But many have been slower to adopt DG software
8/24/2017
Patient given bloody wheelchair at N.Y. hospital
St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh is investigating the incident
8/24/2017
Healthcare facility sued over death of elderly man who drank hospital hand sanitizer
Patient consumed 500ml of the liquid, which was 75 per cent alcohol – the equivalent of a litre of gin
8/24/2017
Hole in roof ignored for years at Spokane VA hospital
Congresswoman requested VA investigate conditions based on veterans' complaints
8/23/2017
Police say thief was sleeping in Phoenix hospital basement
A man was caught stealing multiple laptops and large televisions
8/23/2017
N.H. hospital reopens ER closed by mystery illness
Mysterious odor contributed to sickening of 20 operating room staff members
8/23/2017
Nurses seeking reforms in hospital security
The rate of violent incidents at hospitals appears to be growing
8/23/2017
Healthcare facilities urged to prepare for ransomware 2.0
Next wave of attacks will likely target Internet of Things
8/23/2017
3-D printing finds uses in healthcare food service
3-D printing is becoming the hot new technology in the food industry
8/22/2017
Survey: Most feel clinicians should protect patients during an active shooter event
Patients and hospital staff have different perceptions about the risk of active shooter events
8/22/2017
71 percent of healthcare organizations have a cybersecurity budget
Survey shows healthcare organizations are enhancing their cybersecurity programs
8/22/2017
Sixty percent of healthcare organizations have a senior executive overseeing cybersecurity
Survey shows differences in the cybersecurity programs when there's a chief information security officer
8/22/2017
Hospitals stock up on blood, rattlesnake bite antidote for eclipse
More than 1 million visitors are expected to come to Oregon
8/21/2017
Faulty door blamed for death at Minnesota healthcare facility
A woman in a wheelchair tumbled down a stairway behind a door with a faulty lock
8/21/2017
Indiana hospital adds grocery store to facility to encourage healthy eating
The Fresh For You Market offers fresh produce and milk, eggs and cheese
8/21/2017
Dogs stop Boko Haram attack on hospital
Two suicide bombers tried to detonate bombs at the Moloi General Hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria
8/18/2017
Hospital room of the future includes IoT
IoT can create drastic improvement in hospital care
8/18/2017
Boosting energy efficiency with building envelope retrofit
Other benefits include improved appearance and uninterrupted workflow
8/18/2017
Food truck focuses on healthcare facilities' satellite buildings without on-site meal options
Some employees at Centra Health in Virginia don't have access to on-site food venues
8/18/2017
Guam healthcare officials ramp up security plans
Emergency preparedness plans are being strengthened because of North Korean threats
8/17/2017
Multi-modal communications platform keeps affected users Informed during IT crises
How an academic medical center manages a campus-wide crises
8/17/2017
Study says cleaning dirty sponges strengthens worst bacteria
Microwaving a sponge only kills the weak bacteria
8/17/2017
Insiders, hackers causing most recent healthcare breaches
The healthcare sector has reported 233 breach incidents this year so far
8/17/2017
Nuclear exposure preparedness for healthcare workers
Recent developments require healthcare professionals to be educated
8/16/2017
Oxford hospital closes trauma unit over cladding safety fears
John Radcliffe hospital is the first to have to transfer patients to other buildings after Grenfell Tower fire
8/16/2017
Hospital security is like an onion
Each layer – from the property perimeter to the innermost highly-sensitive areas – presents its own set of challenges that need to be addressed
8/16/2017
N.C. hospital sends family blood-stained clothing of deceased daughter
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center apologizes for package, sent three months after patient's death
8/15/2017
Wisconsin healthcare facility working to make healthy choices easier
Beaver Dam Community Hospital Cafe is designated as a Blue Zones Project-approved restaurant
8/15/2017
Healthcare cybersecurity threat growing
The security of digital health has not kept up with its growth
8/15/2017
AHA says violence cost healthcare facilities $2.7B in 2016
That number includes losses from uncompensated care and added security spending
8/15/2017
Healthcare facility renovation linked to decline in bacteria
Researchers found a sharp but temporary decline in patient colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)
8/15/2017
First VA healthcare facility to offer room service dining gets high marks
The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) started new food service plan four years ago
8/15/2017
CMS extends deadline for smoke barrier door inspections and tests
Facilities have until Jan. 1, 2018, to comply with an annual testing requirement for certain doors
8/14/2017
Trauma unit closed over fire safety concerns
Unit closed for 12 months while flammable cladding is replaced
8/14/2017
Affordable ways to recognize employees
Companies with a solid strategy to recognize members of their team enjoy stronger engagement, increased employee morale, a devoted spirit of customer service and lower turnover rates
8/14/2017
Pa. health systems foodservice best practices include 'Healthy Selections' options
HS+ focuses on minimally processed nutritional ingredients that contain no added sugar and are free of antibiotics, hormones, artificial preservatives, colors and sweeteners
8/14/2017
Key components to severe weather preparedness
About 98 percent of declared disasters are weather related, leading to approximately 500 deaths and $15 billion in damages annually
8/11/2017
Healthcare foodservice balances customer satisfaction and the bottom line
Healthcare executives call on foodservice directors to find solutions to financial challenges
8/11/2017
Collaborative launched for rural hospitals
New charity will offer no- and low-cost consulting services
8/11/2017
Armed dementia patient triggers lock down at Florida hospital
Florida Hospital East patient was not threatening other patients or staff.
8/11/2017
Cybercriminals may be planning a new type of attack on healthcare
There is a possibility of direct manipulation of patient data
8/10/2017
Some Portland-area healthcare facilities planning eclipse-related closures, service cuts
Many nonemergency care providers across Salem, Ore., will close or limit services on Aug. 21
8/9/2017
A ‘perfect storm’ superbug worrying infection experts
Candida auris resists usual control measures
8/9/2017
Copper in linens and surfaces can help prevent infections
Researchers found an 83 percent reduction in infections caused by Clostridium difficile
8/9/2017
Carpet Care 101 for healthcare facilities
Keeping carpets sanitary requires proper maintenance and preventative measures to minimize damage, clean effectively, and eliminate dirt and allergens from carpets as well as the air
8/9/2017
Oregon hospital prepares to care for eclipse watchers
Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital increasing amount of stored food and water
8/8/2017
Virtual assistants could change the way healthcare is delivered
Amazon's Alexa can give medical advice and look up and recite clinical information
8/8/2017
Effective and efficient dusting measures a priority at new trauma center
Renovated Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center has approximately 390,000 square feet of flooring that requires daily cleaning
8/8/2017
Illinois city threatens lawsuit over asbestos in old hospital
Aurora wants the owners of the old Copley Hospital to remove or mitigate asbestos
8/8/2017
Survey: Data breaches a concern for 95 percent of hospital CIOs
Many healthcare facilities struggle to keep up with hackers
8/7/2017
Interoperability is the heart of care coordination
As of 2015, 75% of hospitals have at least a basic EHR, a major increase from 9% less than a decade ago
8/7/2017
Healthcare environmental services workers protest in Britain’s biggest cleaners’ strike
750 of London’s lowest-paid workers take action against one of the country’s wealthiest corporation
8/7/2017
Report released on Milwaukee VA hospital's security
Overdose death of veteran is prompting changes
8/7/2017
Study finds Zika unlikely to be passed by casual contact
Sharing a fork or spoon is not enough to spread the Zika virus
8/7/2017
Colo. engineers demonstrate hospital 'germ trap'
Researchers seal off a hospital wing and adjust the existing ventilation system
8/4/2017
After-hours hospital security performing some triage duties
Private security guards are acting as the after-hours gatekeepers at Winnepeg's Misericordia Health Centre
8/4/2017
Fire safety key to window choices at U.K. hospital
Brighter, child-friendly environment also stressed for Sheffield Children's Hospital
8/4/2017
Healthcare workers pathogen exposure risks highlighted
Data provides standardized system for tracking the occupational exposures for healthcare staff
8/4/2017
Website lists waterborne pathogens more potentially dangerous than sharks
STAT published a list of waterborne pathogens with bite
8/3/2017
Buffalo healthcare facility spent nearly $10 million recovering from massive cyberattack
Erie County Medical Center didn't pay the nearly $30,000 ransom
8/3/2017
Healthcare facilities can optimize infection prevention with best practices
Drones investments may be five years away
8/3/2017
Healthcare facilities are using more robots, but drones aren't taking off yet
Drones investments may be five years away
8/3/2017
Healthcare laundry challenges include disposables, sustainability
Industry urges to fight false claims about disposable product
8/3/2017
Joint Commission lists issues contributing to healthcare workplace settings
Violence in healthcare settings is underreported and growing
8/3/2017
Patient killed, nurses injured in Pa. hospital patient room fire
Fire in room at UPMC Susquehanna started when gown catches fire
8/2/2017
Despite design precautions, psychiatric facility had 3 suicides in 2016
Less than four years ago, the facility was built with all the latest best practices in suicide prevention in mind
8/2/2017
Army hospitals deploying germ-killing robots
Three new robots were recently sent to South Korea
8/2/2017
The future of health intelligent virtual assistant market
Speech recognition technology to gain prominence over 2017-2024
8/2/2017
What does the client really want?
In order to deliver superior outcomes to healthcare clients, you have to know what your clients want
8/2/2017
VA probe looking into allegations of fly-infested operating room in N.H.
A top-to-bottom review of the Manchester VAMC is planned
8/1/2017
Australian care facility accused of not safeguarding drugs, vetting killer nurse
Insulin storage issues also a focus of the claim
8/1/2017
Keeping the power on in healthcare facilities
The Ministry of Health currently spending more than $727 million annually on security
8/1/2017
Healthcare facilities should prepare for cyberattack against power grid
Researchers urge hospitals to prepare for a cyberattack against the U.S. power grid
8/1/2017
Jamaican government increasing security at public healthcare facilities
The Ministry of Health currently spending more than $727 million annually on security
8/1/2017