Groundskeeping - March 2016
Why customer service matters in healthcare
How a facility is perceived affects the amount of government funding it receives
3/30/2016
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Common lapses in healthcare facility infection prevention
These mistakes are likely to lead to a CMS citation
3/30/2016
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Nurse calls for increased hospital safety after attack
University of Minnesota Medical Center nurse urges change after being attacked by patient
3/29/2016
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N.J. healthcare facility fighting for safer chemical regulations
Hackensack University Medical Center is working to rid healthcare devices and products of unsafe chemicals
3/29/2016
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Oklahoma hospital adjusting to campus expansion
Construction project triples the square footage of the St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital campus
3/29/2016
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Paper and printing as a key source of communication for healthcare
There will always be a distinct, tangible need for a hard, physical iterations of documents
3/29/2016
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C. diff called deadly plague American hospitals refuse to face
Opinion piece in the New York Post says hospitals and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are bungling their response to spread of infection
3/28/2016
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The physical environment can improve healthcare
Patient safety has to be part of every department mission to be effective
3/28/2016
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Hospital parking permit plan has staff fearing for safety
657 hospital employees were refused parking permits on site during normal working hours
3/28/2016
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Healthcare enters new cybersecurity era
Targeted attacks appear to be significantly more threatening
3/28/2016
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Q&A on locks on patient sleeping rooms
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about locks on patient sleeping rooms
3/28/2016
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Are biofilms from hospital shower pipes harmful?
Some new bacteria with characteristics of species known to be harmful were seen
3/24/2016
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Study looks at disinfection of mobile devices
Healthcare facilities must clean mobile surfaces properly
3/24/2016
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Canadian hospital handles ransomware attack
Ottawa hospital restored its computers after wiping their hard drives
3/23/2016
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Atlanta hospital upgrades environmental services
Gwinnett Medical Center maintains its operating budget while servicing more square footage
3/23/2016
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Keys to healthcare facility maintenance excellence
Preventive and predictive maintenance, preventive maintenance optimization and corrective maintenance are important factors
3/23/2016
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CDC compares hospital cleaning methods
Research aims at narrowing down best practices for reducing HAIs
3/23/2016
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Bacterial biofilms in hospital water pipes may be pathogenic
Researchers discover potentially pathogenic bacteria living inside water supply pipes
3/22/2016
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Working with law enforcement for better healthcare facility security
Communicating a potential threat to all staff members is key
3/22/2016
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Kansas College Hospitals to allow guns on campus
The hospitals will hire additional officers and ban guns in certain buildings
3/21/2016
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Hospitality a key component for senior care facilities
The little things are making the difference to residents
3/21/2016
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Healthcare facilities are among the most common applications for antimicrobial and antibacterial coatings
Antimicrobial agents are toxic to bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while antibacterial agents are effective against bacteria
3/21/2016
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Ohio behavioral facility reviewing security after employees assaulted
Two court-ordered patients at Heartland Behavioral Healthcare escaped the facility by stealing an employee's car
3/21/2016
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Ontario healthcare facility to close cafeteria to 'stem losses'
Brantford General Hospital's cafeteria only operated a few hours a day
3/18/2016
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Focus on positive patient experiences is the new trend for healthcare equipment
Ergonomically designed workstations support complex and changing care workflows
3/18/2016
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Stolen laptop leads to data breach in Kansas healthcare facility
Valley Hope Association announced a data security breach after a work-issued laptop is stolen from an employee’s car
3/17/2016
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Healthcare laundry equipment installed ‘cleanly’ at medical research facility
Installers had to strip, shower and change into scrubs, shoes and hair nets provided to do the work
3/17/2016
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Infection rates decline at Florida hospital
Infection rates decreased at Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital after the hospital began using germ-zapping robots
3/17/2016
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Dealing with workplace violence at ambulatory care facilities
Freestanding site healthcare workers' risk may be elevated because police or security officers are not routinely assigned to these locations
3/16/2016
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Massachusetts healthcare facilities commit to antibiotic stewardship through food purchasing
Hospitals are partnering with Massachusetts Hospital Association and Health Care Without Harm
3/16/2016
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Vermont healthcare facility honored for food service
University of Vermont Medical Center is recognized by The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association with 2016 Silver Plate Awards
3/16/2016
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Q&A on connecting bridges
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about connecting bridges
3/16/2016
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Lean approach can boost OR cleaning efficiency
Operating rooms often feel pressure for quick turnover times
3/16/2016
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Hospital held ransom highlights healthcare as a vulnerable cyber target
Facility management can improve their decision-making and potential crisis outcomes by coming up with a plan in advance
3/15/2016
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Healthcare facilities evolving as America's obesity rates rise
Sturdier medical equipment and heavier-duty hospital beds have been developed, but lifts are still an issue
3/15/2016
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Changes to ICC building and fire codes
Code changes were developed for both the IBC and the IFC, and many passed for the 2015 versions
3/15/2016
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Elite are among America's germiest hospitals
One-third of hospitals rated by Consumer Reports got low scores on how well they prevent Clostridium difficile
3/14/2016
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UV mobile device sterilizer designed to reduce contamination
Device management system disinfects mobile devices while charging, syncing and managing them
3/14/2016
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Ensuring hospital power system reliability
Planning, design, installation, inspection, maintenance all play a part
3/14/2016
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Lead found in water at N.J. healthcare facility
The staff has been using bottled water in lieu of tap water for drinking and food preparation at Morristown Medical Center
3/11/2016
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Free webcast offered on reducing hospital-acquired infections
The CleanLink webcast's learning objectives include reviewing key infection control hot spots specific to healthcare, and discussing how reduce their risk
3/11/2016
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Joint Commission updates sentinel event statistics
Most frequently reported types of events and the most frequently identified root causes are included
3/11/2016
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ERs working to improve autistic patients' experience
More healthcare facilities are adding comfort aids, quiet waiting rooms
3/11/2016
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Indiana hospital disarms its police officers
IU Health La Porte's security force was disarmed when Community Health Systems officially took ownership of 80 percent of the facility
3/10/2016
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Antibacterial properties of graphene-oxide explored
Coating medical instruments and devices in the carbon-based material could help to reduce infections
3/10/2016
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Minnesota hospitals best-rated rooms
Five hospitals were recognized by patients for having the cleanest rooms
3/10/2016
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Do armed guards make health facility pharmacies safer?
Fifty-two percent of hospital security guards currently carry handguns, according to a 2014 International Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation report
3/9/2016
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Creating a good first impression for a senior care facility
A good way to ensure a positive impression is by thinking of all of the five senses
3/8/2016
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Keeping elderly patients safe and secure
Video interview discusses the issues associated with providing a safe environment for patients with memory and other issues
3/7/2016
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Today's smoke evacuators clear surgical smoke at the source
Latest devices can be affordable, quiet and effective
3/7/2016
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Lean initiatives can help healthcare facilities' environmental services' bottom line
A recent survey reported that most healthcare environmental services leaders have felt pressure to keep costs down
3/7/2016
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Study finds increase in use when hand sanitizer is located in hospital lobby
Placing alcohol-based hand sanitizers in front of the visitor entrance increases visitor usage by 528 percent
3/7/2016
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Height-adjustable bathroom fixtures can make life easier for people with mobility challenges
Fixtures have been designed to allow quick and easy height and position adjustability
3/6/2016
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Ways healthcare facilities can reduce their environmental footprint
Industry urged to lead the way on climate change
3/4/2016
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Hospitals to cut purchases of furniture with antimicrobials
The Safer Chemicals Challenge is created to reduce the use of five chemicals in healthcare facilities
3/4/2016
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Cardiovascular care facility removes fabrics to boost infection control
Allegheny General Hospital's new $26 million cardiovascular care facility has minimal linen and no curtains
3/4/2016
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Selecting a healthcare facility's uninterruptible power supply
UPS units regulate voltage when imaging equipment is in use, ensuring scans are successful and the facility does not lose power
3/4/2016
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Designing a biocontainment unit
Early involvement of the frontline staff is crucial to creating a unit that meets the complex safety, operational, and psychological needs of clinicians, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/4/2016
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Preparing for the emergencies in a healthcare facility
The challenge is to strike a balance between creating a secure facility and maintaining an open, welcoming environment
3/3/2016
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Lighting company testing fixtures that can kill bacteria
Researchers determined a wavelength of light — 405 nanometers — can kill bacteria by creating a reaction that’s identical to pouring common household bleach on it
3/3/2016
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Q&A on interior finish
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about interior finish
3/3/2016
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ES staff forms choir to boost patient engagement
The University of North Carolina Hospitals Environmental Services Gospel Choir has changed the perception of what the housekeeping team is capable of doing
3/3/2016
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Throwback photo of disaster planning
St. Louis hospitals revise disaster planning after tornado
3/2/2016
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Low-voltage infrastructure important for healthcare facilities
A seamless activation of information communication technology systems is possible, but requires planning, collaboration and expertise
3/2/2016
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Hospitals need dependable and cost-efficient power
Most hospitals operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and must deal with a unique set of regulations and technical requirements
3/1/2016
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Benchmarks for hospital room cleaning times
Hospital room cleaning-time benchmarks should be specific with regard to room type, cleaning procedure and whether isolation precautions were present
3/1/2016
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Study says copper surfaces destroy MRSA
Contamination often occurs via fingertips, drying rapidly unlike visible droplets
3/1/2016
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N.Y. hospital security manager puts safety first
Retired police senior investigator now at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel
3/1/2016
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N.C. gets $9 million mobile disaster hospital
Federal Surplus Property has donated the FEMA-authorized mobile hospital unit to the state’s Office of Emergency Medical Services
3/1/2016
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