Infection Control - September 2016
Healthcare facilities' hot water equipment scrutinized
Changes in a patient's length of stay can also contribute to the problem.
9/30/2016
Report says employees download new malware every four seconds
Healthcare breach costs have jumped 282 percent since 2015
9/30/2016
Essential elements of an OR cleaning program
Research has shown harmful pathogens can survive on surfaces for months
9/30/2016
Backup power failure at healthcare facilities can be a life-threatening proposition
Lawmakers ask Justice Department to investigate whether VA executives lied to Congress
9/30/2016
Mental hospital escape investigation finds 25,000 keys missing
Report on Seattle hospital includes a list of mistakes, blunders and deceptions at what should be a secure facility
9/29/2016
Microfiber products may help prevent spread of MRSA
Study finds less than 0.25% chance of bacteria transferring from microfiber to people
9/29/2016
Hot water systems promote the growth of legionella pneumophila
New study calls for healthcare facilities to examine maintenance and operations
9/29/2016
Four ways to reduce healthcare-associated infections
Approximately 1 in 25 patients may encounter a dangerous infection while being treated in a healthcare facility every day
9/29/2016
Illinois hospital conducts power failure evacuation drill
Rockford healthcare facility prepares for the possibility of a major power emergency
9/29/2016
Body cameras, CCTV part of Queensland hospitals' safety strategy
The Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital has released CCTV of three violent incidents
9/28/2016
Health system executives discussed armed security
Becker's Hospital Review asked three health system executives to break down the decision-making process behind their security models
9/28/2016
Corporate America offers lessons in staff satisfaction
There’s much that healthcare can learn from companies like Google, Microsoft, Virgin Atlantic, and Abercrombie & Fitch about staff satisfaction, according to an article on Healthcare Design
9/28/2016
Three Philadelphia heart patients among 20 in Pa. diagnosed with infection linked to heater-coolers
Heater-coolers heat or cool the blood of patients on a heart-lung bypass machine
9/27/2016
Free white paper on pre-crisis plan available
Eaton white paper titled "Put a Plan in Place Before Disaster Strikes" on Medical Construction & Design website
9/27/2016
New study says heat exchangers can act as Legionella reservoirs
Healthcare facilities install heat exchangers to conserve energy
9/27/2016
Heater-cooler units at UW Medical Center test positive for Legionella
The source of the outbreak has been linked to the hospital's water system
9/26/2016
Irish hospital called 'health hazard' leaving patients at high risk of infection
New report on Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar has revealed a lack of basic infection control measures
9/26/2016
Is your healthcare facility prepared for an active shooter?
Healthcare facilities have unique challenges when it comes to emergency situations
9/23/2016
Philadelphia area hospitals recognized for food initiatives
Philadelphia Department of Public Health honored six area hospitals for their healthy food initiatives through the 'Good Food, Healthy Hospitals' program
9/23/2016
DOE surveys nurses on patient lighting
The goals were to determine what’s needed in an ideal patient room lighting system and to identify opportunities for increasing energy efficiency
9/23/2016
Healthcare costs linked to bacteria in water systems rising
Between 1991 and 2006, more than 617,000 hospitalizations related to three common plumbing pathogens resulted in around $9 billion in Medicare payments
9/23/2016
Lockdown after shooting lifted at Houston hospital
According to the witnesses, at least 10 shots were fired in the drive-by shooting
9/22/2016
Fourth patient infected with Legionnaires' at UW Medical Center
The patient contracted Legionnaires' disease before water restrictions were implemented at the hospital
9/22/2016
Does your air measure up?
Universal Health Services sees 64 percent reduction in airborne pathogens
9/22/2016
Detroit hospital fined for inadequate security
State Agency cited high rates of workplace violence and inadequate security measures at Detroit Receiving Hospital
9/22/2016
Flagship NHS hospital called filthy and unsafe
Nurse says there are too few staff to keep it clean
9/21/2016
Ice maker, sinks linked to Legionnaires' outbreak
UW Medical Center Legionnaires' outbreak may be linked to two deaths
9/21/2016
Eliminating odor in healthcare facilities
An effective way to neutralize odors is to use an odor eliminator
9/21/2016
Minnesota Public Radio, Mayo Clinic offer classical relaxation to patients
Research indicates that music can aid healing in many ways, such as improving pain control
9/20/2016
Silver-based treatment reduces bacteria in hospital laundry
Treating patient textiles with ionic silver after washing can decrease contamination
9/20/2016
Benefits of wireless access control
Key cards, PINs, passwords and biometrics are a few of the options available
9/20/2016
University of Iowa Children's Hospital plans move-in drills
A logistical session and two dry runs are planned before real move
9/20/2016
Study suggests bodily fluids can spread Zika
Tears, saliva, vomit, urine or stool may have the potential to transmit Zika
9/19/2016
Hospital's safety problems tied to holes in fire compartment walls
The breaches in the £380million structure could affect how fire spreads around the hospital
9/19/2016
Detroit hospital fined for lax workplace security
Detroit Medical Center is also under fire again for instrument cleaning practices
9/19/2016
Link found between antibacterial ingredients in dust and antibiotic resistance
Scientists find a link between antimicrobial substances like triclosan and levels of antibiotic resistant genes
9/19/2016
Texas Health Huguley Hospital held two mock move-in days prior to transporting patients to the new location
New 140-bed hospital built to accommodate future expansion
9/19/2016
Gundersen Health System environmental services department honored
Environmental services department adopts 'Every patient is my patient' motto
9/16/2016
Connecticut hospitals working to reduce night noise
Clattering carts, overly bright lights and frequent disruptions discouraged at night
9/16/2016
Employee shot in Arizona healthcare facility parking garage
Tucson Medical Center was locked down and people were escorted to their cars after shooting
9/16/2016
America has a surgical instrument quality epidemic
Detroit facility must explain how 11 years of sterile processing challenges went unaddressed
9/15/2016
Researchers exploring alarm fatigue
University of California San Francisco team is working to help combat alarm fatigue among clinicians
9/15/2016
Dirty medical tools dangers just emerging
Unclean surgical, medical instruments are nothing new
9/15/2016
Healthcare facility leaders are aiming for noise-free hospitals
Noise pollution in hospitals can threaten patient safety
9/15/2016
Fire safety fears force remedial work healthcare facility
Builder is carrying out remedial work at a hospital it built ten years ago
9/14/2016
Lightning strike, fire sparks evacuation at Florida hospital
Surgeries were canceled at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point
9/14/2016
Unsanitary conditions found in N.J. pediatrician's exam room
Problems with storage and disposal of vaccines and biohazardous materials found
9/14/2016
Proposed CMS emergency preparedness standards not expected to be 'radical departure’
CMS is expected to adopt its own standards by the end of 2016
9/14/2016
Des Moines hospital issues warning to open-heart surgery patients after two infections
About 2,600 patients may be at risk for infections linked to a device used during surgery
9/13/2016
Extending life of healthcare facility linens
Linen care can sometimes take a back seat to saving a dollar in the short term
9/13/2016
Software calculates long-term costs of green products
Practice Greenhealth unveils sustainability tool
9/13/2016
Michigan launches probe of dirty instruments at healthcare facility
Doctors have been complaining about dirty, broken and missing surgical instruments for years
9/12/2016
Storm damage forces Oklahoma hospital to transport patients
Severe weather leaves behind flooding and structural damage
9/12/2016
Outsourcing healthcare food service is common
The company that Mayo plans to contract with for its food and nutrition services works with about 650 hospitals and health systems nationally
9/12/2016
Healthcare facilities prepare for Zika by expanding care, partnerships
Hospitals open specialty clinics to learn about the virus
9/9/2016
Irish nursing home embraces hand hygiene
Interviews with new residents, staff include a session on hand-washing
9/9/2016
Nursing home fined after laptop with patients' details stolen
Facility in North Ireland cited for data breach related to sensitive details about patients and staff
9/9/2016
IPs' role in healthcare laundering practices
Too often, infection prevention professionals don't realize that improperly laundered healthcare linens can pose a risk
9/8/2016
Internet of Things in healthcare creating fundamental changes
Rate of connectivity is accelerating
9/8/2016
Elderly patients moved from U.K. hospital ward over fire safety fears
NHS Tayside closes a ward for elderly people at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Dundee, citing environmental risks as the reason
9/8/2016
IT can help hospitals prepare for natural disasters
Hospitals monitor weather patterns to maintain needed levels of care, supplies
9/8/2016
VCU Medical Center police officer recognized for saving life
Guard has experience as a certified emergency medical technician and former advanced life support provider
9/7/2016
Design strategies can quiet healthcare environments
Research has found that noise in healthcare settings can prevent patients from sleeping and increase their stress and blood pressure, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
9/7/2016
Florida hospital active shooter plan reducing violence
Parrish Medical Center's planning prevented a random shooting from escalating
9/7/2016
Do more healthcare-laundry regulation programs cause confusion?
There are different programs available, along with federal and regional requirements
9/6/2016
Cybersecurity survey finds providers are enhancing programs
Survey says lack of appropriate personnel and financial resources are barriers
9/6/2016
ASC infection-control compliance needs a team approach
Ambulatory surgery centers often don't have a person dedicated to infection control
9/6/2016
Holding textile laundering to a higher standard
HLAC president answers questions on improving safety
9/6/2016
Cleveland Clinic power failure sends patients home
A short circuit in basement wiring knocked out the power
9/2/2016
Healthcare facilities calling for sustainable meat and poultry
Health systems urge food producers to offer more meat and poultry products raised without routine antibiotics
9/2/2016
Colorado healthcare facilities train for disaster
Drill tests regional response to mass-casualty incident
9/2/2016
Mayo outsourcing of food service jobs looks familiar to some
The pending switch from Sodexo to Morrison Healthcare will transition about 700 local workers in southern Minnesota
9/2/2016
Ways healthcare facilities can support staff after a disaster
New guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services offers tips on caring for employees
9/2/2016
Study shows coordinated effort can reduce CRE 75 percent
Johns Hopkins reports that regional coordination among hospitals helps reduce HAIs
9/2/2016
Kentucky hospital dining trying to top area restaurants
The University of Kentucky Hospital opened Chandler Dining, a new food-court-like dining facility and kitchen that also serves patients in the hospital
9/1/2016
Bacterium enters Maryland hospital through its water system
Water tests found Pseudomonas bacterium in four sinks in Prince George’s County Hospital Center's neonatal intensive care unit, and two more sinks in another area of the hospital
9/1/2016
Many health IT pros still don't encrypt
Industry's top data guardians are feeling hampered in their efforts to protect their organizations by a lack of manpower and money
9/1/2016
Mock drill coordinates efforts of N.Y. community hospitals
Healthcare facilities practiced with a scenario in which a MQ-9 unmanned aircraft crashed on Fort Drum.
9/1/2016