Sustainable Operations - January 2013

Smoke purge systems not required in windowless hospital operating rooms

Smoke purge systems are not required in windowless anesthetizing locations by the 2012 edition of NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code.

1/31/2013



Efficacy of hand hygiene products is subject of new ASTM antimicrobial standard

A new ASTM International standard describes the use of pigskin as an alternative to human hands in testing the efficacy of hand hygiene products in combating contamination.


1/30/2013



Sustainable hospitals could save $15 billion over 10 years, study says

The total savings to the healthcare sector, if it adopted more environmentally sustainable operations, could exceed $5.4 billion over five years, and $15 billion over 10 years, according to a Health Care Research Collaborative study.

1/29/2013



EPA issues request for information on lead paint in commercial buildings

The EPA announced on December 31, 2012 that they will begin collecting information on lead-based paint (LBP) and commercial buildings, says the Institute of Real Estate Management. The agency is exploring new regulations that would create lead abatement practices in commercial buildings similar to those that exist for residential properties, says the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

1/29/2013



EPA: Hospitals use most water, but are not among top facilities tracking use

Of the over 53,000 facilities using the EPA Energy Star's Portfolio Manager to track water use as of June 2012, 960 are hospitals, according to an EPA Data Trends report. In addition, 840 medical offices were tracking water use. By comparison, as of December 2011, 4,860 hospitals were using Portfolio Manager to benchmark energy use.

1/28/2013



Proposed ASHRAE standard on legionellosis prevention open for comment

Changes to clarify requirements in a proposed ASHRAE standard to prevent legionellosis associated with building water systems are open for third public comment from Jan. 25 to March 11, 2013.



1/28/2013



NYC building code restricts interior finish options in healthcare

Updates to the New York City building code restrict the use of interior finishes common in healthcare settings. According to the 2008 New York City building code, materials must now meet smoke development classifications, in addition to fire resistance classifications.

1/25/2013



Life safety code altered to allow limited items in healthcare corridors

In recognition of operational needs in hospitals, the 2012 edition of the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101, Life Safety Code allows limited groups of furniture and certain other projections into corridors in healthcare occupancies, provided corridors are at least 8 feet wide, according to an article in the NFPA Journal.

1/25/2013



Healthcare iPad app focuses on Lean management practices

A new healthcare app for the iPad, based on the Lean management system made popular in manufacturing, aims to teach operations professionals in healthcare how to streamline processes and save money.

1/24/2013



Water conservation could mean big savings for healthcare facilities

With water and sewer utility rates rising between 5 and 10 percent every year in many parts of the United States, investments in water conservation practices could lead to substantial savings for healthcare facilities.

1/22/2013



Expert suggests healthcare emergency power best practices

In the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, there has been much discussion about the emergency power systems in healthcare facilities and what should be done to safeguard against negative impacts on patent care.

1/22/2013



Debate continues over ROI of sustainable practices in healthcare

Can sustainable healthcare facility construction and operation practices save more than $5 billion over the next 5 years? And if so, why aren't more facilities adopting sustainable efforts?

1/17/2013



Proper HVAC maintenance key to IAQ in healthcare facilities

Proper maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is arguably key to maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ) in any commercial facility, but it takes on an added level of importance in healthcare facilities where infection control and cross contamination are among the concerns.

1/16/2013



Hospital reduces HAIs with disinfecting robots

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital are having success cracking down on healthcare-acquired infections (HAI) by using robots to clean patient rooms.

1/16/2013



Illinois hospital benefits from HVAC efficiency upgrade

While upgrading to new energy efficient HVAC equipment is generally intended to save healthcare facilities money in the long term, the initial installation sometimes comes with a few challenges.

1/14/2013



FCC launches $400M healthcare broadband fund

The FCC on Jan. 9 announced a new $400 million annual Healthcare Connect Fund that will encourage the use of broadband telecommunications technology at healthcare facilities nationwide.

1/10/2013



Healthcare sustainability efforts expand beyond hospital walls

Reducing energy consumption is one of the most important duties of healthcare sustainability professionals, but it isn't the only job they are doing in the modern healthcare environment.

1/10/2013



AIA introduces energy modeling guide

In October, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) published a new guide to help architects more accurately predict future energy consumption in current building projects.

1/9/2013



Data center safety regulations may face OSHA scrutiny

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may be taking a closer look at how data center operators interpret the electrical safety standard that requires employers to disconnect the power source and lock out electrical supply to a circuit before work can be performed nearby.

1/9/2013



A. baumannii bacteria challenges hospital cleaning protocols

A. baumannii requires new cleaning protocols according to a recent study that found more than half the rooms positive for the bacteria prior to cleaning remained contaminated after cleaning.

1/9/2013



Hospitals reap benefits of automated visitor management

A recent article in The Fayetteville Observer notes enhanced security measures for visitors at the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center are met with praise from security personnel and visitors alike. But the center is not the first to employ an automated visitor management system.

1/8/2013



Hospitals reap benefits of automated visitor management

A recent article in The Fayetteville Observer notes enhanced security measures for visitors at the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center are met with praise from security personnel and visitors alike. But the center is not the first to employ an automated visitor management system.

1/8/2013



Hospital sustainability more achievable with new green strategies

According to a December 2012 article in Health Facilities Management magazine, key players involved in healthcare facilities say hospitals are in a prime position within the next five years to make sustainability part of their mission and business plan.

1/7/2013



Feds hold healthcare providers accountable for electronic HIPAA breaches

Hospice of North Idaho has agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) $50,000 to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This is the first settlement involving a breach impacting fewer than 500 people.

1/4/2013



Feds hold healthcare providers accountable for electronic HIPAA breaches

Hospice of North Idaho has agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) $50,000 to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This is the first settlement involving a breach impacting fewer than 500 people.

1/4/2013



Hospital uses video monitoring to increase security, cut costs

In 2011 the Nebraska Medical Center implemented video monitoring in patient rooms requiring around-the-clock observation in order to improve patient safety and reduce staffing costs, according to an article in Campus Security magazine.

1/4/2013



Hospital uses video monitoring to increase security, cut costs

In 2011 the Nebraska Medical Center implemented video monitoring in patient rooms requiring around-the-clock observation in order to improve patient safety and reduce staffing costs, according to an article in Campus Security magazine.

1/4/2013



Tips for how healthcare facility doors can aid HIPAA compliance

Campus Security magazine offers some tips for ensuring healthcare facility doors are up to the job of appropriately securing patient health records. 

1/4/2013



Tips for how healthcare facility doors can aid HIPAA compliance

Campus Security magazine offers some tips for ensuring healthcare facility doors are up to the job of appropriately securing patient health records. 

1/4/2013



Hospital joins CDC study to test UV disinfection

Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, N.C., is the latest hospital to join a two-year study, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that will measure the effectiveness of using no-touch environmental UV disinfection technology to clean in healthcare facilities. 

1/3/2013



 
 
 


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