Environmental Services - January 2020
China's new coronavirus hospital half done in four days
The hospital is expected to take its first patients on February 3
1/31/2020
China says coronavirus can spread before symptoms show
The CDC says there is no clear evidence that patients are infectious before symptom onset
1/31/2020
Ebola virus, Lassa fever can be treated without infecting healthcare personnel
'Meticulous' implementation of infection control and clinical biosafety practices needed
1/31/2020
Economic analyst says the worst has yet to come with coronavirus
The number of new infections is still on the rise
1/31/2020
U.S. readiness for a viral outbreak better, but needs improvement
The U.S. has made progress in preparedness since Ebola
1/31/2020
Snakes could be the source of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak
Virus linked to the Chinese krait and the Chinese cobra
1/30/2020
Chinese city plans to build coronavirus hospital in days
Wuhan is constructing a 1,000-bed facility with prefab buildings
1/30/2020
Coronavirus death toll jumps to more than 80, five US cases confirmed
New coronavirus has been identified in Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington state
1/30/2020
Chocolate Lab training to be bomb-sniffing therapy dog in Ohio
Most of her life is going to be helping children. But the rest of the time she's have ongoing training for bomb detection
1/30/2020
Cardinal Health recalls 9 million surgical gowns
About 7.7 million were distributed to 2,807 facilities across the country
1/30/2020
US government just cut funding for the hospitals that deal with outbreaks
Hospitals are unlikely to invest the necessary resources to prepare for somewhat improbable events
1/29/2020
FEMA OKs funds to rebuild hospital in Puerto Rico after teen's death
A girl, 13, died after lacking a proper medical facility in Vieques
1/29/2020
Keeping your healthcare facility safe
How technology can help you achieve a safer healthcare environment
1/29/2020
Gaps found in Canadian hospitals’ preparedness for C. auris
The first multidrug-resistant case of the illness was reported in the country in 2017
1/29/2020
Veterans say the D.C. VA hospital is not safe for women
A woman said she was sexually assaulted at the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center four months ago
1/28/2020
CDC estimates flu has killed 6,600 in U.S.
The overall flu-associated hospitalization rate is in line with trends seen during this time last season
1/28/2020
Missouri hospital gives staff panic buttons
The use of the buttons is in a trial phase and is aimed at improving security in high-risk areas like the ER
1/28/2020
FEMA funding earthquake safety for Los Angeles hospital
Funds will go to non-structural bracing and anchoring of medical equipment, communications hardware, and supporting infrastructure
1/28/2020
Integrated infection prevention is essential for protecting patients
A growing number of clinical studies have demonstrated that “no-touch” technologies are effective in reducing bacterial contamination of surfaces and can reduce colonization/infection in patients admitted to these hospital rooms
1/28/2020
UV light fights germs on mobile devices
Ultraviolet rays kill nearly 100% of bacteria found on mobile devices in healthcare settings
1/28/2020
At least five patients with Wuhan coronavirus reported in U.S.
A man in Washington State is infected with the new respiratory virus, and there are more possible
1/27/2020
Detroit Medical Center cancels plan to outsource security jobs
Union filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board
1/27/2020
Addressing software challenges
Careful specification and implementation paves the way for enhanced productivity and performance
1/27/2020
Internet of Medical Things changing future of healthcare
The ability to collect, analyze and transmit health data, is changing care delivery
1/27/2020
Puerto Rico still lacking proper medical facilities since hurricane
Vieques has not had a functioning hospital since it was destroyed during Hurricane Maria more than two years ago
1/24/2020
Pa. health system cancels surgeries due to surgical gown issues
Cardinal Health warned customers that some of its surgical gowns may not be sterile
1/24/2020
Achieving a high-performance HVAC system
No building system has more impact on long-term facility operating costs than HVAC. Understand the true costs of HVAC, both initially and while in operation
1/24/2020
Copper surfaces reduce hand transmission in eldercare
Researchers investigated outbreaks in a nursing home
1/24/2020
Copper beds cut surface bacteria
On average, copper beds harbored 94 percent fewer bacteria than conventional beds
1/24/2020
White substance sparks hazmat incident at Idaho hospital
A patient entered Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center ER carrying a container of an unknown white substance
1/23/2020
Minnesota law to allow surveillance cameras in senior homes
Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities across the state are required to inform residents of their right to use the cameras
1/23/2020
Reduced capacity at Atlanta hospital affects region
For more than a month, Grady Memorial Hospital emergency rooms has been operating at a reduced capacity
1/23/2020
Cleveland Clinic manages its medical waste with color coding
Cleveland Clinic’s Office for a Healthy Environment focuses on sustainability across the organization, including the responsible management of medical waste
1/23/2020
N.Y. nursing home cited after maggots found in patient wound
Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation was not fined
1/22/2020
Atlanta hospital expects repair of flooding damage to take until fall
A water pipe break in early December flooded three floors at Grady Memorial Hospital
1/22/2020
Calif. hospital sets up overflow tent for flu patients
California seeing more flu cases than normal
1/22/2020
Effective paints and coatings applications
The right paint selection and surface prep is key
1/22/2020
Vermont healthcare facility reopening operating rooms after mysterious odor
Staff have installed carbon monoxide detectors and air sampling canisters in the buildings, and employees will wear detectors
1/21/2020
Ohio bill would allow cameras inside nursing home rooms
There is currently no law in Ohio against using private cameras inside a nursing home, but it's up to the nursing home to allow it
1/21/2020
Vail Health addresses surgical smoke concerns
Colorado Legislature passed a law stating that by May 1, 2021, healthcare facilities in the state must implement policies to prevent human exposure to surgical smoke
1/21/2020
Creating a secure building automation system
It is common for organizations to create a BAS and then more or less forget about it
1/21/2020
Dealing with the problem of dirty sinks
How clean can your washed hands really be if the sink is contaminated?
1/21/2020
Adopting EVS cleaning practices in skilled nursing facilities
The presence of more higher-acuity patients has led to greater danger from infections
1/20/2020
Probe: Hospital used OR without HEPA filter when infant got sick
Other operating rooms at the hospital had HEPA filters
1/20/2020
The prescription for a healthy JCAHO audit
A robust, prescriptive EAM system is needed to avoid surprises and support a facility’s ongoing success
1/20/2020
Planning and budgeting key to sustainable HVAC
Step one in achieving sustainable HVAC design is organizational buy-in
1/20/2020
Best practices for cleaning, disinfection
Cleaning, disinfecting critical to prevention of hospital-acquired infections
1/20/2020
Seattle Children’s Hospital's mold issues spur class-action suit
Suit alleged hospital engaged in a coverup of problems
1/17/2020
Woman robbed, kidnapped from Louisiana hospital parking lot
Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System said it will evaluate the safety of all of its campuses
1/17/2020
Presence of pan-resistant C. auris growing in New York
A total of 427 of 911 nationwide confirmed cases are found in New York
1/17/2020
Threats that could threaten disrupt security
Facilities managers must have resilience and security strategies to deal with disruptive new technologies
1/17/2020
Steps for effective emergency preparedness
Make sure your risk assessment and scenario planning are up to date and accurate
1/17/2020
Science teacher's experiment illustrates need for hand hygiene
Soap and water had positive results
1/16/2020
HVAC issues stall surgeries at Mo. hospital
Pinnacle Regional Hospital’s sterilization room didn’t have the right pressure, temperature and humidity
1/16/2020
Report says VHA spent $4 billion on new facilities with little oversight
The VHA supplies new medical facilities with startup funds for new staff, furniture, equipment, etc.
1/16/2020
A guide to winter roofing care
Roofs that are not properly cared for during the winter will bring unpleasant surprises when the weather warms.
1/16/2020
Door selection can impact infection control
Touchless doors can help stop the spread of germs and bacteria
1/16/2020
Pa. hospital criticized for 'systemic' failures
An investigation found unsanitary equipment, dirty linens on the floors
1/15/2020
Study: ICU patients’ hands carry pathogens
Hand hygiene important for patients as well as healthcare workers
1/15/2020
Tips for life-safety and emergency prep in longterm care facilities
Start by looking at all possible risks
1/15/2020
‘Recent world events’ spark increased security at federal healthcare center
The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago has closed all entrances except the main gate
1/14/2020
Detroit hospital gets bomb, shooting threats
Police say a psychiatric patient at the hospital made the calls
1/14/2020
Pa. hospital where preemies died didn’t sanitize breast milk equipment
State health department ordered Geisinger Medical Center in Danville to correct several deficiencies
1/14/2020
Missouri hospital ordered to stop performing surgery
Regulators conducted an inspection at Pinnacle Regional Hospital and cited it for sterile processing procedures
1/14/2020
The growing demand for transparency in all building spaces
To meet efficiency, optimization and carbon management goals, all the pieces of the puzzle must be considered
1/14/2020
Five hospitals' mold issues making headlines
A number of healthcare facilities have detected molds in their facilities over the past year
1/14/2020
Quake in Puerto Rico causes structural, power issues, but hospitals functional in hard-hit region
Earthquake killed at least one person and causing a power outage across the island
1/13/2020
Pediatric flu death toll highest in 17 years
CDC says 27 pediatric deaths have occurred so far this season
1/13/2020
The benefits of going paperless
The Raleigh General Hospital HR team decided they didn’t want to simply copy their current paper format. Rather, they decided to redesign how the files should be organized, not simply importing files as they were.
1/13/2020
Kaiser Permanente prepares for disasters based on experience
This year’s evacuation during a wildfire demonstrated significant improvements over previous efforts
1/13/2020
Selecting a photo ID system
Photo identification cards are an important part of healthcare facility security plan
1/13/2020
Study finds air quality can impact effectiveness of antibiotics
Bacteria that cause respiratory infections can be affected by air pollution
1/13/2020
Hospital installs hydroponic farm in cafeteria
The healthcare system is looking to install an additional farm at the hospital as well as one at its cancer center
1/10/2020
Strain B influenza appearing earlier than usual this flu season
Strain A usually occurs around late December and early January
1/10/2020
Geothermal delivers savings
Investment in geothermal technology drives its energy efficiency to the top of the list
1/10/2020
Preparing healthcare facilities for a disaster
Hospitals must maintain continuity of patient care
1/10/2020
Case of Legionnaires' Disease reported at Illinois Veterans Home
The facility is reviewing water quality data
1/9/2020
Infection control issues temporarily shut down Utah hospital's operating room
A health department report said the hospital failed to provide a sanitary environment
1/9/2020
Twin Cities Hospital offers infant footprint scans
Hospital officials say its better to take a scan of a footprint because fingerprints aren't as refined initially
1/9/2020
Cancer center embraces proactive maintenance
MD Anderson Cancer Center's facility renewal program takes maintenance from reactive to proactive
1/9/2020
Dry indoor air linked to higher infection rates
When air is dry, droplets and skin flakes carrying viruses and bacteria travel through the air
1/9/2020
Data shows hundreds of Aspergillus infections at Wash. hospitals
Hospitals say they’re not the source
1/8/2020
Air quality's role in infection prevention can be overlooked
Having the right tools to communicate the importance of temperature and humidity is important
1/8/2020
Ebola protection program expiring
The program supports efforts to quickly identify and isolate infected people
1/7/2020
Study tracks MRSA and S aureus in nursing homes
The presence of S aureus was 28.6 percent and of MRSA and MSSA, 20.1 percent
1/7/2020
CDC says US Candida auris cases rose by 100 in two months
The number of infections increased by 105 from Aug. to Oct.
1/7/2020
Study says patients often bring C. Diff in with them
The study suggested hospitals should try to identify carriers of C. diff to prevent the spread on infection
1/7/2020
When disaster strikes, FEMA money is available to hospitals that file quickly
Hospitals often don't file for the funds because they're unaware of what can be reimbursed and there is only a 30-day window to apply
1/7/2020
VA ends hospital star ratings system
The system allowed veterans to compare quality and performance at VA facilities
1/6/2020
Study links psychological safety, infection prevention efforts
Thirty-eight percent of responding hospitals had high levels of psychological safety
1/6/2020
Healthcare moving toward paperless systems
Roughly 40 percent of data breaches are paper-based
1/6/2020
Card-operated lock systems becoming more popular
Flexibility is the primary benefit of this system
1/6/2020
How to handle a major HVAC upgrade
Following plan can help ensure upgrade isn't disruptive to regular operations
1/6/2020
3.7 million flu cases reported by mid December
The CDC says there have 32,000 hospitalizations and 1,800 deaths
1/3/2020
Keeping hospitals safe by design
Designers have an opportunity for hospitals to increase safety through intentional and comprehensive design and facility planning, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
1/3/2020
Joint Commission clarifies ligature risk requirements
In a new blog post on it's website, The Joint Commission clarified its new ligature risk requirements regarding common patient room items and fixtures
1/3/2020
New Ohio bill would allow surveillance cameras in nursing home resident rooms
There has been pushback in the past about whether surveillance cameras are a violation of patient privacy
1/3/2020
Operating room material choices must address infection control needs
Materials and finishes in the OR—particularly walls and flooring—are an important part of creating a safe environment, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
1/3/2020
Survey links psychological safety and infection prevention practices
Psychological safety refers to the shared belief that team members are safe when speaking up or making mistakes
1/2/2020
Greener healthcare facilities can impact climate change
Changes in the industry can play a major role in addressing the climate crisis
1/2/2020
Healthcare on Cloud Nine: Top 8 benefits of healthcare-cloud merger
The cloud will be central to future digital transformations in healthcare
1/2/2020
Readiness matters with new CMS emergency preparedness requirements
The intent is still to establish criteria for healthcare providers and suppliers to better prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters.
1/2/2020
