Environmental Services - April 2018
Maximizing the performance life of UPS
The role of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generators has expanded in recent years
4/30/2018
Virginia Mason Memorial honored for sustainability
Washington hospital received four awards this year from Practice Greenhealth
4/30/2018
Decoding healthcare facility door locking requirements
Designing compliant locking arrangements can be a challenge
4/30/2018
Benefits of wireless access control for healthcare facilities
Ease of installation is one reason to consider wireless access control
4/27/2018
VRF: Strategies for success
For maintenance and engineering managers involved in the decision-making process, the technology can be challenging
4/27/2018
Smarter purchasing for safer hospitals
Free tool allows facilities to track and compare their energy usage
4/27/2018
N.Y. system treat healthcare workers' job-related trauma
Study showed that staff who received organizational support outperformed their peers
4/26/2018
Technology improvements lead to better paints
Innovations in paint are leading to coatings that are faster and easier to apply, last longer, and perform new functions
4/26/2018
Developing a safety risk assessment
The Center for Health Design has a free tool to guide the process, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
4/26/2018
Texas hospital's 'mission control' manages real-time patient movement
Texas Children Hospital honored for innovation solution
4/26/2018
Joint Commission issues new sentinel event alert on violence against healthcare workers
Healthcare workers four times more likely to be victimized, including physical and verbal violence
4/26/2018
Succession planning paper available for download
Includes tips on getting millennials on the team
4/25/2018
Robot enables telemedicine consultations
Physicians can be in more than one location at the same time
4/25/2018
Security tightened after St. Louis VA suicide
St. Louis suicide one in a string of self-inflicted veterans' deaths
4/24/2018
West Australia's hospital staff to get anti-stab vests, personal alarms
The initiative will be rolled out over three years
4/24/2018
What healthcare must understand about cybersecurity
Healthcare organizations continue to be the subject of attacks by hackers seeking access to patient data for resale on the black market
4/24/2018
Measuring effectiveness of electrochemically activated cleaning
Measurement assists facilities cleaning staff and supervisors to ensure ECA cleaning methods are working as intended
4/24/2018
Porter Adventist Hospital infection breach linked to human error
The breach came from the tools not being cleaned properly and potentially containing bioburden
4/23/2018
Patients at S.C. hospital develop waterborne bacterial infection after surgery
Twenty-seven women who needed surgery at Roper Hospital in 2016 and 2017 developed a bacterial infection
4/23/2018
Violence prevention plans now mandatory in Calif. hospitals
California is the first state to require plans in all acute-care hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities
4/23/2018
Mo. nursing home cited after three residents found outside in freezing temperatures
Inspectors: Autumn View Gardens assisted living facility in Creve Coeur put residents in imminent danger
4/23/2018
E. Coli outbreaks found in seven states
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting 17 cases
4/23/2018
Colorado Health Department confirms surgical infections at Porter
Agency says links to sterilization flaws unclear
4/20/2018
Predictive maintenance technologies support reliable operations
These strategies can provide a true condition assessment of the equipment
4/20/2018
Maintaining security with contract cleaning staff
Improved and standardized security checks urged
4/20/2018
Study says healthcare facilities need to do a better job of cleaning beds
Columbia University researchers have found data from four New York hospitals that show beds are full of germs
4/19/2018
How healthcare facilities can reduce the risk of patient exposure to Legionella
Legionnaires’ disease cases have gone up by 400 percent in the last 14 years
4/19/2018
Two-fifths of private hospitals in England are failing safety standards
Inspections by the Care Quality Commission raise concerns over the safety and leadership
4/19/2018
Healthcare stewardship means going ‘green’
Being 'green' in a healthcare facility is more complicated than a typical business
4/19/2018
Healthcare facilities' energy efficiency improves air quality
Salt Lake City Op-Ed says healthcare facilities' energy efficiency efforts can impact community health
4/19/2018
Why healthcare facilities should implement CMMS
Managing a healthcare facility can be easier and more efficient with a computerized maintenance management system
4/18/2018
N.C. hospital elevates food offerings with Mediterranean cafe
UNC Rex Healthcare is trying to redefine hospital food
4/18/2018
Study says nursing homes have fewer residents, with more needs
Though occupancy rates fell between 2009 and 2016, the needs of nursing home residents have grown considerably
4/18/2018
Plumbing systems should be simple and reliable
Know the requirements and technical challenges of the healthcare facility plumbing system
4/18/2018
German shepherd added to security team at Indiana hospital
Dog trained to sniff out bombs and firearms
4/17/2018
Minn. state hospitals conditions at 'crisis point'
Healthcare facilities have a backlog of tens of millions of dollars worth of renovations
4/17/2018
Long Island VA center’s air quality repairs prioritized
Sen. Chuck Schumer wants Washington to fast track $15 million in funds
4/17/2018
New ward approved for 'shoddily built' UK hospital
Plans have been approved after 'serious defects' were found in seven-year-old buildings
4/17/2018
2010 report showed security gaps at Yountville Veterans Home
The state-run veterans home had security shortcomings that the California Highway Patrol identified in 2010
4/16/2018
Queensland healthcare system removes soft drinks from hospitals
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has decided to phase out the sale of sugary drinks from its healthcare facilities.
4/16/2018
Software solutions can help with long-term care physical plant issues
Keeping the physical plant healthy is as important as maintaining that of the residents within
4/16/2018
Incorporating technology into tomorrow's healthcare facilities
Design needs to evolve to keep pace with this technological revolution
4/16/2018
Dealing with elderly patient wandering, elopement, part 2
The number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is skyrocketing
4/16/2018
Minn. says $63.4 million is needed for treatment facility upgrades
Years of neglect and underfunding blamed
4/16/2018
Mass. hospital employee charged with placing hidden camera in bathroom
The hospital said no patients or visitors were impacted by the incident
4/13/2018
DC veterans hospital still dealing with problems
Facility sited for 'culture of complacency'
4/13/2018
Influenza B dominating end of flu season
Flu activity decreased for the sixth consecutive week, but rates remain above the national baseline
4/13/2018
California's new workplace violence law could be a model for federal legislation
Nurses organizations laud a new California law that requires employers to provide workplace violence training
4/13/2018
Microgrid installed at Puerto Rican healthcare facility
Running entirely off-grid, the clinic is reliant on the microgrid to power its healthcare technology, lights and refrigeration
4/13/2018
Telehealth is affecting built environments
As telehealth changes the way healthcare is delivered, it’s also impacting the traditional space requirements within facilities, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
4/13/2018
Denver healthcare facility warns of sterilization issues
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says no infections have been reported so far
4/12/2018
Man with crossbow taken into custody outside Fresno hospital
The man reportedly had been escorted from the hospital and took the loaded crossbow out of a backpack
4/12/2018
Study addresses UV disinfection challenges
Identifying rooms that would benefit from UV disinfection a key issue
4/12/2018
Va healthcare facility switching to LED lighting
Roanoke Memorial Hospital swapping out all 42,000 light fixtures
4/12/2018
Texas hospital engineers energy savings, boosts patient satisfaction
MD Anderson works to improve temp control in patient rooms
4/12/2018
Madison hospital cited for 7 'deficiencies' following NICU abuse
CMS report shows UnityPoint-Meriter hospital was issued a 'statement of deficiencies' for seven issues in hospital operations and patient care
4/11/2018
Wisconsin hospital’s geothermal system slashes energy use
Edgerton Hospital and Health Services' natural gas bill has been dramatically reduced
4/11/2018
Manitoba healthcare facilities receive funding for HVAC, pump upgrades
The Manitoba government has approved over 120 healthcare facility maintenance projects
4/11/2018
Sewage leaks in operating rooms still an issue at D.C. hospital for VIPs
A black, grainy foul-smelling substance coated the floor of an operating room
4/11/2018
When will Fla.'s mandated nursing home generators be inspected?
Agency may not inspect all the generators before storm season starts and the mandates take effect June 1
4/11/2018
Expert: Fla. nursing home where a dozen died of heat ‘made it worse’
Coolers weren’t properly ventilated and pushed additional heat into the confined space
4/10/2018
Woman sues Michigan hospital after she is attacked in ER
A video shows a man running up behind the woman and striking her in the head with his fist
4/10/2018
Vegas hospital CEO: 'Drill like it's the real thing'
CEO of hospital that treated victims of October shooting spoke to Utah healthcare officials
4/10/2018
Longterm care needs tech innovation
Many organizations say they’re not prepared to use innovative tools as part of a value-based strategy
4/10/2018
Efforts to control 'nightmare' bacteria working
Feds say system would be more effective if more hospitals and doctors participated
4/10/2018
Hospital bends rules to grant Grandpa's dying wish to see his dog
Hospital credits infection control staff for making it happen
4/9/2018
Vancouver healthcare facilities now offering menus to patients
Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care hospitals stepping up food service offerings
4/9/2018
Apple's recent hospital deals may signal industry shakeup
The idea is to give patients easier access to their own data
4/9/2018
Florida fines Hialeah assisted living facility over bedbugs
South Hialeah Manor fined $1,000 for a bedbug infestation
4/9/2018
La. lawmakers advance bill that would allow cameras in nursing home rooms
Some nursing home operators are opposing the bill
4/9/2018
Ontario hospital patients experience table-side service from a chef
Chef visit was scheduled to encourage patients to eat together
4/6/2018
Avoiding the hidden costs of environmental services staff injuries
Environmental services work-related injuries usually involve either exposure to harmful contaminants or musculoskeletal disorders
4/6/2018
'Nightmare' antibiotic-resistant bacteria detected in 27 states
More than 200 rare antibiotic-resistant genes were found in bacteria tested in 2017
4/6/2018
Nevada hospital installs bacteria fighting operating room light fixtures
The disinfectant lights are installed in all inpatient and outpatient surgical suites and emergency department patient bays
4/6/2018
Quiet, cleanliness top patient wish list
Healthcare professionals urged to be attuned to the subtle things that can affect a patient's experience
4/5/2018
$10 billion assisted living industry has little oversight
It’s usually up to states to regulate facilities
4/5/2018
Florida Gov. signs bills mandating backup power at nursing homes
The legislation require the facilities to have a generator capable of keeping nursing homes and assisted living facilities at 81 degrees or lower for four days
4/5/2018
Oregon fines mental health facility after workers suffer hundreds of attacks
Workplace regulators have fined the Unity Center for Behavioral Health $1,650 for failing to take steps to prevent future assaults
4/5/2018
Avoiding two common pitfalls to achieving strategic goals
Support development of clear, sustainable strategies that achieve objectives and reduce executive burnout
4/5/2018
Grounding of HVAC motor shafts protects bearings, lowers repair costs
Maximum energy efficiency is the cornerstone of a long and growing list of building certification initiatives such as LEED, Green Globes, Zero Energy Buildings, Living Building Challenge, and Energy Star for Buildings
4/5/2018
Texas health clinics investigated for potentially spreading hepatitis, HIV
The Galveston County Health District and Department of State Health Services are investigating Coastal Health and Wellness in Galveston and Texas City
4/4/2018
Increasing patient satisfaction through employee engagement
Patient experience has the ability to make or break a facilities’ reputation
4/4/2018
New guidelines created to curb healthcare workplace violence
Healthcare facilities urged to establish a process and team to deal with violence
4/3/2018
Children’s hospital cuts viral infections with UV-C tech
A UV system is used in addition to standard cleaning protocols on the toddler unit
4/3/2018
Healthcare facilities look to hospitality for customer service cues
Las Vegas medical groups try to improve patient experiences
4/3/2018
Why choose PEX-a for hydronic piping applications?
A UV system is used in addition to standard cleaning protocols on the toddler unit
4/3/2018
Hospitals honored for heating pipeline project
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was awarded Sustainability Project of the Year
4/3/2018
Feds say University of Maryland hospital violated rules in patient dumping case
University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown cited for violating patient rights and several patient safety and hospital management regulations
4/2/2018
Hot meals banned for patients stuck on gurneys in overcrowded Irish hospitals
The ban on hot meals has been introduced for patients’ safety in several hospitals
4/2/2018
Water bacteria testing extended to second Glasgow hospital
Tests for bacteria in the water supply at the Royal Hospital for Children have been extended to the neighboring Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
4/2/2018
Can aromatherapy be a source of bacterial infections?
An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggests aromatherapy can pose a high risk to patient safety
4/2/2018
Cancer center patients infected by Listeria from hospital deli
Three people who ate deli sandwiches from a restaurant in Canada’s largest cancer center have been infected
4/2/2018
