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