Sustainable Operations - November 2014

Ebola-proofing often an improvisation

Efforts have been guided by principals from clinics in Africa and the few full biocontainment facilities in the U.S.

11/26/2014



Medical computers can lower operating costs

Medical computers are cable-free so that they are not a tripping hazard and so that they can be easily moved from room to room as necessary

11/26/2014



Electron-beam technology may be a better way to sanitize Ebola waste

Hospitals have used similar technology, at lower power levels, to sterilize equipment

11/26/2014



Environmental services can boost patient experiences

A clean and inviting environment in conjunction with an engaging professional staff makes patients and visitors feel welcome and calm

11/26/2014



Food-as-medicine theory gaining ground in hospitals

Hospitals believe that recovery involves feeding the body as well as the mind and are working to improving the cafeteria experience

11/25/2014



How soft-surface fabrics spread infection

Studies have found that fabrics harbor bacteria after coming into contact with patients

11/25/2014



Training the next generation of facilities managers

Identifying employees with potential - and helping them to build their skills - puts facilities in a better position when current leaders retire

11/25/2014



'Self-cleaning' surface reduces pathogens, study says

New technology reduces the number of hospital surface bacteria by more than 99 percent at least eight weeks after initial application

11/25/2014



Ask the right questions about rubber floorcoverings

Rubber can be compromised by chemicals that can cause itthurd to break down

11/25/2014



Florida facility focuses on Ebola prep

Flagler County hospital dedicating and segregating a part of its facility for treatment

11/24/2014



Miami hospital hit by rash of tire thefts

Tires are stolen from cars in Ryder Trauma Center-secured lot

11/24/2014



Evolving technology affects healthcare design

Technology leverages the means and locations of healthcare delivery

11/24/2014



Swedish hospital raising the bar on sustainability

Facility's features including resource-efficient materials, low energy designs, smart processing of chemical waste and a cutting-edge HVAC system

11/24/2014



Key questions about carpet and vinyl floorcoverings

Carpet and vinyl in healthcare flooring require some special considerations

11/24/2014



Study: Cleanliness promotes better behavior

In cleaner workplaces, people should be less likely to feel disgusted and exhibit selfish behavior

11/21/2014



Minimizing healthcare's environmental footprint

Environmental stewardship can coexist with pressure to cut costs

11/21/2014



Healthcare floorcoverings need good substrates

It is critical that the substrate, which is almost always concrete, be in a condition to accept the installation of flooring

11/21/2014



Survey shows growing workplace violence in healthcare

Analysis shows that the violent crime rate per 100 beds increased from 2012 to 2013

11/21/2014



Infection control tips in the age of Ebola

There is a growing body of evidence that 'disinfected' medical devices are not as clean as they need to be

11/20/2014



Wisconsin hospital system produces more energy than it consumes

Gundersen Health System has saved nearly $2 million each year from energy conservation and efficiency efforts

11/20/2014



Shred bin Q&A

In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about shred bins

11/20/2014



Houston Medical Center adds UV technology to infection control

UV protocol adds extra layer of protection in the war against infections

11/20/2014



Ebola fears spark equipment companies to restrict service

Diagnostic labs refuse to accept patients' blood or tissue samples

11/19/2014



Arkansas hospital adds 3D surgery system

Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock is the only hospital in the state to have a high-definition, 3D surgical video system

11/19/2014



Choosing a disinfectant to fight Ebola

Ebola is believed to be susceptible to a broad range of hospital disinfectants

11/18/2014



Preparing for Ebola - the FM's role

Facilities managers are key to disinfecting contaminated areas and disposing of hazardous waste as well as alerting staff and visitors to proper protocols

11/17/2014



Study: Hospital workers wash hands less toward end of shift

Workers probably wash their hands less as the workday progresses because the mental reserves they need to follow rules are depleted

11/17/2014



Minnesota hospitals deal with increase in patient violence

Attack on nurses at a Maplewood hospital highlights daily issue for healthcare workers

11/17/2014



Duke students brainstorm to curb Ebola

Duke Ebola Innovation Challenge invites ideas to help track and fight Ebola

11/14/2014



U.K. not prepared for Ebola, expert says

Safety procedures are not being followed strictly enough to prevent medical staff from becoming infected, Ebola expert says

11/14/2014



Hospitals shifting to renewable energy

Hospitals are saving money while enjoying the environmental benefits of green energy

11/14/2014



Mothers get remote link to babies in intensive care

Scottish hospital installs wireless cameras with a live feed to the nursery

11/14/2014



Faulty sprinklers cause flooding at Jersey City Medical Center

The first-floor lobby of New Jersey facility floods when two sprinklers in the lobby inadvertently turned on

11/14/2014



Hospitals embracing alternative fuel sources

With winter on the way and energy costs rising, some hospitals are choosing alternative heating fuels

11/13/2014



Hospital designers balance safety and luxury

'Airportlike' screening for patients and other safety elements are being incorporated

11/13/2014



Alternative HVAC systems popular in hospital applications

Healthcare facilities installing more nontraditional equipment

11/12/2014



White paper on power strips available

Downloadable paper is a guide for correct healthcare facility power strip usage

11/12/2014



Interpreting the Life Safety Code

It is often risky to offer advice on code interpretation if you are not the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)

11/12/2014



Department of Energy announces $9 million investment to improve hospital energy efficiency

Funds to encourage investments in energy-saving technologies for hospitals, offices, shops, restaurants, hotels and other types of commercial buildings

11/12/2014



Kashmir hospital relies on solar power

New energy source credited with improving the quality of care

11/11/2014



Report says infections, accidents and injuries remain problems despite gains

Leapfrog's Hospital Safety Scores show that while hospitals are doing better implementing safety processes, performance on outcomes lags

11/11/2014



Building data analytics can help bottom line

To better manage budgets, hospital facility managers need to be able to uncover hidden savings within their buildings

11/11/2014



WHO updates personal protective equipment guidelines for Ebola

Guidelines to clarify PPE options and provide information for procurement of PPE stock in the current Ebola outbreak

11/10/2014



UW Health to stop selling sugar-sweetened drinks

The system is also eliminating all fried food from cafeterias and restaurants

11/10/2014



Hospital says goodbye to green Jell-O

Providing food that increases patient satisfaction is a quality indicator for a health system

11/10/2014



Indianapolis hospital designed to be a good neighbor

The Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital offers community healthy, welcoming environment that encourages wellness, according to a blog on the Healthcare Design website

11/10/2014



MRSA linked to livestock is found in U.K. hospitals

Study says some MRSA bugs in UK hospitals can be traced back to bacteria found in farm animals

11/10/2014



Facilities experts urge Ebola prep

Hospitals encouraged to prepare facilities now so they are ready to respond to pandemics and viral outbreaks

11/7/2014



Louisiana hospital makes campus smoke free

Terrebonne General Medical Center eliminates designated smoking areas

11/7/2014



New Zealand bacterial outbreak linked to facility faults

Up to 50 people to one toilet, a leaking sewer pipe and an insufficient number of handwash basins found at Middlemore Hospital

11/7/2014



Architects design for safety

Healthcare designers try to create homey - yet secure - environments

11/7/2014



Demand for Ebola supplies up

Some experts worried about price gouging, shortages and hoarding

11/6/2014



N.J. hospital reduces energy output by 20 percent

Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank lowered energy costs by more than $900,000

11/6/2014



Pakistani hospitals set up disaster management wards

Four hospitals in Karachi equipping facilities in preparation for approaching cyclone

11/6/2014



Two Virginia hospitals achieve infection risk certification

Hospitals are the first certified in a new program focusing on managing infection risk

11/6/2014



Study links armed guards to less hospital violence

International Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation study found a 41 percent lower risk of physical assaults where Tasers were available to security personnel

11/6/2014



Guidelines for handling Ebola linens

Linen services provider offers tips to customers about handling potentially contaminated linens

11/5/2014



America's experiencing a hospital-food revolution

Resourcing food from local producers is good for patients, economy

11/5/2014



Emergency backup generators don't always work when needed, probe finds

Two Manhattan hospitals lost power and their backup systems failed during Superstorm Sandy

11/5/2014



'Homelike' setting in senior care not so important, study says

Safety and caring staff members seen as more important

11/5/2014



New N.C. orthopedic clinic includes LED lighting upgrade

Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic switches to adjustable LED lighting for new facility design

11/5/2014



Jazz tested as post-op pain treatment

Piped in music and periods of silence may be pain management tools

11/4/2014



Common security framework can be key tool for healthcare facilities

A CSF is a single security framework that healthcare providers can use to address security challenges. The framework includes federal and state regulations, standards and frameworks

11/4/2014



Millions in unused medical supplies tossed annually

U.S. hospitals collectively throw away at least $15 million a year in unused operating room surgical supplies that could be salvaged, report says

11/4/2014



Hospitals meeting climate change challenge

Hospitals embracing environmental stewardship as part of their commitment to improving health

11/4/2014



Ebola may be draining resources from other efforts

More time spent on Ebola can mean less time to handle day-to-day demands, particularly the Enterovirus D-68 outbreak and the approaching flu season

11/3/2014



Good hand hygiene essential in HAI battle against health

Cleaning hands remains the single most effective known pathogen prevention process

11/3/2014



Making a hospital 'Ebola ready'

New York City’s Bellevue Hospital upgrades isolation rooms and is building a separate laboratory to handle blood work

11/3/2014



Great Neck facility to build bio-containment unit

North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System is planning to build a biological containment unit to strengthen its response to infectious disease outbreaks

11/3/2014



Associations issue statement on processing biohazardous medical waste

Outbreak of Ebola has raised questions about the correct handling of Ebola-contaminated biohazardous medical waste

11/3/2014



 
 
 


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