Environmental Services - March 2019
Hospital cockroaches may be mechanical vectors for MRSA
Cockroaches can transmit human pathogens in healthcare facilities
3/29/2019
Customer service strategies can still translate to FM success
Here's what facility managers need to know to stay current
3/29/2019
N.C. residents oppose construction of ‘essential’ hospital water system
Hospital wants station to ensure it can provide water during future disasters
3/29/2019
Acute care facility cuts infection rates with disposable microfiber mops
A good information security plan can be affordable
3/29/2019
Infographic describes dangers of handling cleaning chemicals
A good information security plan can be affordable
3/29/2019
Studies explore work habits of environmental services professionals
Research also addresses perceptions of the profession
3/29/2019
Quat binding can hinder healthcare facilities' infection control measure
Quat binding occurs when quaternary ammonium compounds make contact with materials, such as cotton, that inactivate or impair the germ-killing performance
3/28/2019
Creating a winning alternative equipment maintenance (AEM) strategy
Alternative Equipment Maintenance programs instituted as part of an Evidence-Based Maintenance umbrellas can ensure that the right maintenance is done, correctly, and at the lowest possible cost.
3/28/2019
Winning stakeholder support for hospital security programs
If people aren’t familiar with a security department's value, ideas may not gain traction
3/28/2019
Hospital flooring options for 2019
Flooring is a crucial part of creating a quality care setting
3/28/2019
Cybersecurity still possible on a tight budget
A good information security plan can be affordable
3/28/2019
CDC: Congo's Ebola outbreak could last a year
The majority of hospital, K-12 and higher ed campuses have security cameras
3/27/2019
Cybersecurity responsibility shared by entire healthcare supply chain
Increased use of connected medical devices and software and wireless technology have made health systems more vulnerable
3/27/2019
Manitoba wants to give hospital security guards power to intervene
Safety officers could detain people during violent incidents
3/26/2019
UC Davis Medical Center first hospital recognized by James Beard Foundation for sustainable food sourcing
Smart Catch leader designation recognizes sustainability in seafood procurement
3/26/2019
More than 350 staffers sleep at S.D. in case of blizzard
The facility estimated that about once a year it has to prepare for a similar emergency situation
3/26/2019
Perimeter security technologies can help to detect, deter problems
NFPA 730 includes guidance on the ‘Concentric Circles of Protection’
3/26/2019
New HVAC systems present challenges, opportunities
Mechanical systems have evolved not only technologically, but also in how they're purchased
3/26/2019
Planning for an active shooter in physician offices
Offices need to plan for an active shooter the same way they’d prepare for any other potential emergency
3/25/2019
Kaiser Permanente expands contract landscaping service
The company announced that it will eliminate approximately 60 full-time gardening jobs at several facilities across Northern California
3/25/2019
Study looks at subsidies for infection control
Researchers found that a dollar-for-dollar matching subsidy was the most effective
3/22/2019
Legionella bacteria at Brooklyn hospital shuts off showers for 4 months
The bacteria was found in certain inpatient units during routine water safety testing
3/22/2019
Cleveland Clinic is working toward 100 percent landfill diversion
The main campus is maintaining more than a 40 percent landfill diversion rate for seven months out of the year
3/22/2019
Miami Beach hospital designed for coastal weather events
The Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla., is designed to embrace flexibility and resiliency, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/22/2019
Louisiana's 170-year-old mental hospital 'deteriorating'
The Louisiana Department of Health has asked for $348 million over five years to build a 750-bed replacement
3/22/2019
New York-Presbyterian Tower project comes with unique logistical challenges
Adaptability and transparency were what made project a real achievement
3/21/2019
Beleaguered Glasgow hospital needs more staff to meet hygiene standards
Some areas could not be cleaned properly because they are awaiting repair work
3/21/2019
Understanding new leak-detection technology options
Facility managers should also be familiar with the benefits of deploying water-leak detection technology
3/21/2019
Helicopters blew pigeon droppings into wards at Glasgow hospital
Droppings were also found in the ventilation system connected to wards
3/20/2019
Health system backs bill to fight hospital violence
The CEO of Scripps Health voiced support for a California proposal
3/20/2019
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital follow-up inspection finds infection control issues
Federal inspectors find unresolved problems
3/20/2019
IoT in healthcare can lead to drastic increase in productivity
Most healthcare tech devices come with some form of connectivity
3/20/2019
Robot with video link used to tell patient he’s dying
Doctor in California told a patient he had only days left
3/19/2019
Laundry operations need to balance caregiving, cleanliness, costs
Choosing equipment depends on a variety of factors
3/19/2019
Healthcare workers face violence 'epidemic'
Hospitals have to strike a balance between security concerns and accessible facilities
3/19/2019
Probe finds cleanliness issues at Glasgow hospital hit with bird issues
Inspectors find gurneys contaminated with blood, and dust on ventilation panels
3/19/2019
Congo Ebola total more than 900
Seven new cases were recently recorded and 223 suspected cases are still under investigation
3/18/2019
Staffing up during a crisis
In an emergency, online scheduling can help employee deployment and improve communication
3/18/2019
Oregon hospitals restrict access after two gun-related incidents
One incident involves a patient shooting himself
3/18/2019
Environmental health and safety versus demand control ventilation: Challenges and opportunities
New solutions offer ways to proactively prioritize laboratory safety and system performance
3/18/2019
OSHA standard on preventing healthcare workplace violence gains support
Since being introduced in the House on Nov. 16, the bill has picked up an additional 16 co-sponsors for a total of 42
3/15/2019
Are opioids and workplace violence linked in healthcare?
The expansion of the healthcare Internet of Things creating challenges
3/15/2019
New technique detects whether a surface is truly clean
The automatic biological contamination detection method can be used in healthcare to ensure the cleanliness of facilities during norovirus outbreaks or flu season or that surgical tools are sterile before an operation.
3/15/2019
Reassessing healthcare facilities
The expansion of the healthcare Internet of Things creating challenges
3/15/2019
Can smart buildings really be secure?
Because of the Internet of Things, smart buildings are on the rise
3/14/2019
Long Island hospitals training armed security officers
Many hospitals are increasing security by hiring armed officers and installing cameras
3/14/2019
Creating a healthcare facility emergency plan
Emergency departments must develop disaster preparedness plans that go beyond natural disasters and utility failures, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/14/2019
Patient climbs into Ohio hospital ceiling and becomes trapped in wall
Man eventually kicked a hole in the drywall
3/13/2019
Healthcare facilities still struggle with infection control
Progress has stalled after infections dropped an average of about 17 percent per year from 2005 to 2013
3/13/2019
A cluttered environment can affect patient experience
Cluttered equipment gives the impression of chaos, confusion and lack of cleanliness
3/13/2019
mHealth Market will register 38.0% CAGR Growth to cross $289.4 billion by 2025
Growing demand for healthcare information systems and launch of new mobile applications related to mHealth technologies are the factors driving the growth of global market
3/13/2019
Healthcare design can support data security
Architects can help facilities overcome security challenges
3/12/2019
How IoT building management technology can provide resilience in the wake of a hurricane
Uninterrupted access to power can mean the difference between life and death
3/12/2019
New NFPA Standard helps prepare for active shooters
The first standard for responding to an active shooter, NFPA 3000 includes requirements for high-risk facilities
3/12/2019
Creating an healthcare facility emergency plan
Healthcare Design article includes some general steps to consider in this process
3/12/2019
A hospital ransomware comes with lessons
In January of 2018, Hancock Health in Greenfield, Ind., was hit with a cyberattack from a criminal syndicate in Eastern Europe
3/12/2019
11 Wanaque facility deaths due to more than poor hygiene, report says
Doctor admitted that he was barely aware of the crisis
3/11/2019
Doctor shot by patient at Florida VA hospital VA Medical Center
Employees say not all of the entrances at the hospital have metal detectors
3/11/2019
Healthcare facilities in Puerto Rico move to solar power
The installation is part of a larger effort to strengthen Puerto Rico’s infrastructure
3/11/2019
Workplace violence bill would require hospitals to meet OSHA safety standards
The bill includes design standards, such as using glass partitions at certain nurse stations
3/11/2019
Hospitals in Belize to be safer, green and more resilient
The upgrades include improvements to the ceilings so that they can withstand heavy rain, wind and hurricanes
3/11/2019
Ebola spreading in Congo via healthcare facilities
Investigators found that patients recently visited a health clinic for treatment for some other disease
3/8/2019
'Alexa' being admitted to patient rooms at L.A. hospital
Patients can use "Aiva" to interact with nurses and control their entertainment
3/8/2019
LEED design should be followed by LEED operation
A building is only as sustainable as its day-to-day operation
3/8/2019
Community Health System to pay $4.5M for HIPAA breach
System agreed to the settlement following a 2014 data breach
3/8/2019
Ontario hospital implements infant security program
Each newborn wears a light-weight, self-adjusting ankle band linked to an electronic tracking system
3/8/2019
Hospitals use virtual reality tech to ease patient fears
VR tech is also being used to train staff
3/8/2019
Boston hospital expansion to include disaster, flood protection
The design will consider every worst-case scenario
3/7/2019
Why the time is right to move your security platform to the cloud
The cloud is the next generation for security platforms as it offers an enhanced feature set while remaining relatively future proof
3/7/2019
Study finds inaccuracy, inconvenience hinders electronic hand-hygiene monitoring
Studied system was based on radio frequency transmitters in patient areas
3/7/2019
Hospital security officers get creative to help patient with autism
Safety officers at Loyola University Medical Center are being praised for helping aggressive patient without using force
3/7/2019
Technology changing healthcare design process
Systems that help understand doctor and nurse workflows can simplify design choices
3/7/2019
South Los Angeles hospital prepared for gang member patients
When members of rival gangs are brought to the ER, MLKCH locks down the emergency room and creates two separate waiting rooms
3/6/2019
Listeriosis death prompts closure of hospital catering company
Caterer was ordered to suspend production while the source of Listeria is being investigated
3/6/2019
Billings Clinic emergency department improvises to deal with unusually high patient numbers
Patient beds have been set up in a conference room and in hallways in the emergency department to handle the overflow
3/6/2019
Air quality's role in infection prevention can be overlooked
Having the right tools to communicate the importance of temperature and humidity is important
3/6/2019
Records show Texas hospital elevators plagued with issues
A review of records found that people had been trapped in one elevator at least 13 times between March 2018 and January 2019
3/5/2019
N.J. nursing home where 11 kids died still cannot admit new patients
New guidelines are needed to prevent the spread of infection
3/5/2019
C. diff study tests different cleaning approach
Since the C. diff spores are so environmental hardy, cleaning and disinfecting is particularly challenging
3/5/2019
OSHA affirms workplace violence citation against Pa. health facility
OSHA found at least 51 workplace violence incidents involving patients and staff in one year
3/5/2019
How to maintain security devices
Diligence is key to protecting equipment from damage and loss
3/5/2019
Texas hospital warned to stop untrained employees from making repairs
Hospital denies making repairs
3/4/2019
Partially burned medical records found outside Atlanta clinic
Hundreds of patient documents were found in a dumpster and others stored outside in shipping crates.
3/4/2019
Tips for hiring healthcare cybersecurity pros
Cybersecurity requires people from all backgrounds and majors
3/4/2019
Deciding whether to repair or replace grounds equipment
Repair history and mowing need should be considered
3/4/2019
Missouri healthcare system adds security officers
Initiative encourages security guards to integrate more fully into the care team
3/4/2019
'Safety Guy' builds legacy at Michigan hospital
Work includes everything from safeguarding patient and staff data to preventing surgical infections and workplace violence
3/1/2019
Better workflow can improve surgical center sterile processing
'Process-driven' design and planning can help reduce risks
3/1/2019
Safety at risk in ransomware attacks
More than 2,100 patient deaths per year are linked to data breaches at hospitals
3/1/2019
