Environmental Services - February 2016
Environmental services team leading infection battle
Housekeeping is one of those routine amenities people may not notice — unless it was missing
2/29/2016
Integrating nurse call and patient locator systems can cut response times
Real time patient locator systems can trigger a notification for environmental services that the room is now vacant and needs to be cleaned
2/29/2016
Phoenix VA postpones surgeries due to mechanical issues
Crews worked to fix a problem with the ventilation system and engineers need two or three days to complete a full evaluation of all the mechanical systems supporting the operating rooms
2/26/2016
Expanded scope cleaning process comes with higher costs
Virginia Mason Medical Center has revamped its practices to avoid another breakout
2/26/2016
Wisconsin hospitals' best-rated rooms
Eight hospitals were recognized by patients for having the cleanest rooms
2/26/2016
Research says no disinfectants completely remove bacterial biofilms from water lines
Study found the disinfectants recommended by water line manufacturers don't actually shift all the bacteria
2/25/2016
Cubicle curtains come with infection issues
How to clean and how often to change them can be a problem
2/25/2016
Going from management to leadership
Leadership implies helping and aiding others to achieve something greater
2/25/2016
Divide and conquer for better OR cleaning
Dividing the room into assigned zones keeps staff focused
2/24/2016
Q&A on waste containers
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about waste containers
2/24/2016
NFMT session to address compliance training of hospital employees for infection control
The 2016 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.
2/24/2016
Deadly crash reveals healthcare facilities are using old aircraft to transport patients
Light planes using piston engines instead of the safer modern turbines are still being used by Australian healthcare facilities
2/23/2016
Hospital laundry contract awarded to company caught drying garments in the open air
South African health department hoping to use the company’s poor performance to terminate the contracts
2/23/2016
Keys to effectively plan for emergencies
The older adults living in care communities are vulnerable in emergency situations
2/23/2016
Investigation finds serious sanitary issues at Pa. nursing homes
Inspection reports from the Department of Health show a long list of violations including live maggots found in a resident’s feeding tube
2/22/2016
Red Teams can enhance hospital security
Red Teams can evaluate campus protection measures and challenge assumptions
2/22/2016
Boosting healthcare facility cleaning best practices
Cleaning professionals have a number of training opportunities and educational resources available
2/19/2016
Using climate data for healthcare facility planning
Most hospitals don't use local climate change projections into their risk management and planning
2/19/2016
Developing an environmental services department budget
The most critical element is alignment with the vision of the healthcare facility
2/19/2016
Calif. hospital using fax machines, paper after hit by ransomware
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center has transferred patients as it attempts to bring its database back online
2/18/2016
Hospitals with the unhealthiest food options
A new report names the worst hospital food environments in the nation
2/18/2016
Preparing for infectious disease patients
White paper offers ideas on developing operational and facility responses for both emergency room intake and patient care biocontainment units, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/18/2016
Designing compliant hospital pharmacies
USP 797 sterile compounding regulations will require planning
2/18/2016
Hospital uses steam to boost food choices, reduce waste
'Steamplicity' technology uses a pressure valve, which produces steam-cooked meals
2/18/2016
Bacteria-killing paint may be a passive weapon against HAIs
Claims are similar to that made by copper, which has become known for its ability to kill bacteria
2/18/2016
Throwback Thursday photo highlights '70s laundry co-op
N.D. hospitals partner to solve their laundry problems
2/18/2016
Safety/risk debated with more hospital guards armed
Man seeking help for mental illness shot in Texas hospital
2/17/2016
Safety/risk debated with more hospital guards armed
Man seeking help for mental illness shot in Texas hospital
2/17/2016
Today’s healthcare facility leader needs to be flexible
For accountable care organization, the traditional approach to the facility has already begun to change
2/17/2016
Designing for the telemedicine spaces of the future
Infrastructure considerations include room configurations, interior finishes, data capabilities, lighting and power
2/17/2016
Safe showers and water temperature key to senior facility safety
Among the top 10 issues for long-term care facilities is non-compliance with codes that require automatic temperature control of water used in resident bathrooms
2/17/2016
Industry benefiting from laundry's growing importance in healthcare
Hospital-acquired infections and increased outpatient usage are contributing to the increased demand for the linens
2/16/2016
Protecting healthcare facilities from bed bugs
More than a third of pest management companies reported treating a healthcare facility for bed bugs in 2014
2/16/2016
Purchasing software in the healthcare industry
Optimizing procurement and payment policies can save healthcare organizations thousands of dollars each year
2/16/2016
Inquest into Legionella death finds hospital failed to keep water supply safe
Testing by Public Health England found the Royal United Hospital water supply ward was contaminated with Legionella
2/12/2016
New digital-first hospital plagued by people problems
Technological aspects success as disputes arise in cleaning staff
2/12/2016
Energy efficient lighting at Virginia VA hospital to help fund additional services
$1.58 million project will renovate the facility with new lighting, sensors and controls
2/12/2016
Texas healthcare facility recognized for revamping alarm management system
Texas Children’s Hospital created a dashboard that collects and analyzes data by area, nurse and patient
2/12/2016
Creating a safer healthcare facility
Leaders urged to work with staff who design and care for the hospital
2/11/2016
How healthcare facilities managers achieve energy efficiency
The right operational steps can lead to sustainable healthcare operations
2/11/2016
Including telehealth in a healthcare facility strategy
Widespread adoption of telehealth could contribute to $300 billion in savings for the U.S. healthcare system
2/11/2016
Healthcare facilities save money when staff takes the stairs
Study says England's NHS hospitals could save more than 100 million pounds a year
2/10/2016
Hospital security guards want power to detain or restrain violent patients
Australian security professionals express concerns about staff numbers, job training and hospital safety
2/10/2016
Infographic: Understanding and preventing hospital-acquired infections
Graphic identifies the people who are at the greatest risk of contracting a HAI, what factors increase the risk of being infected, and how to prevent the most abundant HAIs
2/10/2016
Healthcare worker hand size can impact infection control efforts
Size can affect bacterial load, product effectiveness
2/9/2016
Staff training, retention key for environmental services
Pressures to reduce costs and staff turnover are among the biggest issues affecting the professional housekeeping/cleaning sector, especially within the healthcare sector, according to an article on the Long-term Living website
2/9/2016
Q&A on egress hardware
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about egress hardware
2/9/2016
Boosting infection control efforts in outpatient facilities
A survey by Outpatient Surgery Magazine polled 140 surgical facility managers on their top infection control products
2/8/2016
Environmental services managers says they are pressured to reduce labor
Cleaning professionals survey says more respondents feel recession is over
2/8/2016
Central line-associated infection control environmental cleaning
Infographic to raise awareness for CLABSIs and promote practices to improve patient outcomes
2/8/2016
Is your healthcare facility helipad good to go?
The hospital helipad should not be treated as just a slab of concrete
2/5/2016
The Internet of Things could lead to smarter healthcare
Emerging tech holds the potential of revolutionizing healthcare by improving access and lowering costs
2/5/2016
Quaternary ammonium chloride and its advantages in healthcare facilities
Products typically offer broad-spectrum efficacy and do not have the unpleasant odor of oxidizing-based products
2/5/2016
Carrying BIM into facility management requires effective documentation
Second part of FacilityCare series focuses on needed documentation during construction process
2/5/2016
Santa Clara area hospitals gearing up for Super Bowl fans
Game traditionally brings at least 20 percent more E.R. traffic
2/4/2016
Reusable mattress covers cut infection rates at healthcare facilities
The study compared instances of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) by comparing infection rates
2/4/2016
Understanding the true cost of HAIs
Due to the lack of reimbursement for HAI-related care, these infections cause major financial losses for hospitals
2/4/2016
Poor infection control practices linked to rise of hepatitis C among dialysis patients
Lapses in infection control procedures — including cleaning and disinfection, and hand hygiene — were common at the affected clinics
2/3/2016
Hospitals launch creative campaigns to improve hand hygiene
Efforts include installation of equipment, education and tracking
2/3/2016
LA hospital spends $70 million on an IT infrastructure
Nearly half of the $158 million Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital budget is devoted to technological advances
2/3/2016
A tracking system can improve infection control
Lapses in infection control procedures — including cleaning and disinfection, and hand hygiene — were common at the affected clinics
2/3/2016
ER shooting sparks security concerns at Tampa Bay hospital
Patient fatally shoots himself at Brooksville Regional Hospital after being involved in car accident.
2/2/2016
Medical device and pharmaceutical regulations focus on patient safety
New rules emphasize safety in the supply chain
2/2/2016
White paper on digital signage for healthcare available
New technology tools designed for patients and staff
2/2/2016
Q&A on endoscopy ventilation requirements
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about endoscopy ventilation requirements
2/2/2016
Plain language replacing color-coded alerts at some hospitals
Inconsistency of color-coded system led to confusion
2/1/2016
Keys to maintenance excellence
Four-part series on FacilityCare website will cover seven key factors for maintenance excellence
2/1/2016