Environmental Services - August 2018
Nursing home reviews security after being robbed twice in a month
Thieves targeted the facility to steal drugs
8/31/2018
Study says patients in private rooms less likely to get fatal HAI
Hospitals with mostly private rooms had 33 percent fewer central line infections
8/31/2018
Hundreds of Fla. assisted living facilities without critical equipment
Some counties have received failing grade for not having plans in place
8/30/2018
Newest CMS memo leaves HFAP ligature standard intact
HFAP recently updated 13 of its standards
8/30/2018
Cybersecurity, digital failures called top hospital hazards
The ECRI Institute releases its list of top healthcare technology hazards for 2018
8/30/2018
Hospital supply chain offers cost-saving opportunities
Joining a group purchasing organization can cut expenses across the system
8/30/2018
Health system's new security measures include badges, metal detectors
Atrium Health also plans to add more armed security officers
8/29/2018
Evolution of barrier-resistant doors
Door functionality for behavioral health facilities has improved over the last decade
8/29/2018
Trends for creating the new patient experience
From the first impression to the last — how to create an exceptional continuum of care
8/29/2018
Energy improvements at Louisiana hospital to save $200K a year
The improvement measures include replacing water management fixtures
8/29/2018
Integrating lighting systems in healthcare facilities
Range of codes and standards can make integration a challenge
8/29/2018
Hawaii hospitals prepared for Hurricane Lane patients
Healthcare facilities stocked up on supplies and generators
8/28/2018
Company diverting unopened healthcare products from waste stream
Program also helps healthcare facilities recover cost from unused
8/28/2018
Stray cat causes infection scare at UK hospital
A deep clean was ordered after the cat's activities came to light at Epsom Hospital in Epsom, England
8/27/2018
N.Y. hospital institute new security policy for visitors
Security officers have been stationed at all entrances to help guide patients and visitors
8/27/2018
Inmate captured after escape from Michigan hospital
Sheriff says more should have been done to secure the inmate
8/27/2018
Healthcare facilities' energy efficiency improves air quality
Salt Lake City Op-Ed says healthcare facilities' energy efficiency efforts can impact community health
8/27/2018
Hospital scavenger hunt teaches employees workplace safety skills
Workers earn prize tickets for fixing issues
8/24/2018
Researchers create bacteria-fighting polymers with light
The discovery may help identify antimicrobials for a range of applications
8/23/2018
Technology can boost hand-hygiene compliance by 45%
The study, originally featured in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) stated that hand hygiene compliance rates provided by the traditional direct observation method did not accurately reflect baseline rates.
8/23/2018
Is your operating room sweating this summer?
There are a few tricks that the facilities staff can use to help keep the room open until the bigger problem can be addressed
8/23/2018
A greener environmental services department can have a wide impact
Green practices can increase environmental sustainability and improve patient care
8/23/2018
Health worker among five new cases in Congo Ebola outbreak
They bring the outbreak total to 78 cases
8/22/2018
New biocide mist kills bacteria
A viscous disinfectant has been turned into a breathable mist for the first time
8/22/2018
Accidents blamed for most healthcare data breaches
Accidental disclosures made up 38 percent of the data breaches
8/22/2018
To get rid of fax machines we must first standardize prior authorization
Ninety percent of communications between provider and payer are still done by phone or fax
8/22/2018
Man who died in jump from N.Y. hospital went out window in unused ward
The 5th floor window was secured, but appeared to be tampered with
8/22/2018
Ebola outbreak will be test of world’s ability to respond
This outbreak is occurring in a part of the Congo that has long been a conflict zone, with over 1 million displaced people
8/21/2018
D.C. VA hospital reportedly used rusty surgical tools, contaminated water
Reports in November 2017 included findings of VA sterilization specialists
8/21/2018
LED benefits, strategies illuminated
The most effective applications depend on matching advances in the technology to facility needs
8/21/2018
Digital trends transforming healthcare facilities
As patients become more active in their healthcare decisions, healthcare facilities are tapping digital technologies to help their organizations overcome these challenges
8/21/2018
Getting ready for a CMS emergency preparedness survey
Long-term care facilities have to decide whether to focus on high-impact but low-frequency events or more common, but less impactful events
8/21/2018
Test, inspect, maintain: Fire suppression system priorities
If the facility or its mission changes, facility managers must be able to recognize and understand how those changes might cause a water-based fire suppression system to fail
8/21/2018
More US hospitals going green to save green
Healthcare facilities are responsible for nearly 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions
8/20/2018
Strategies for green product selection in healthcare facilities
Beyond cost and performance, facility managers must consider a range of environmental factors in the products
8/20/2018
Small mistakes can spread hospital infections
The use of personal protective equipment is challenge for many healthcare facilities
8/20/2018
How managers can streamline CMMS
Maximizing the performance of a CMMS can improve technician productivity and hold down inventory costs
8/20/2018
Break-out at mental health facility prompts door upgrade
A N.Z. facility is replacing wooden doors leading to high-care areas in Hillmorton Hospital's acute inpatient unit
8/20/2018
Preparation key to dealing with healthcare facility shootings
Those providing essential medical care to patients cannot run, hide or fight
8/17/2018
CMS says Joint Commission recommendations set standard for ligature risk
CMS surveyors will be referring to those recommendations when looking for environmental hazards
8/17/2018
CMS Administrator calls for an end to physician fax machines by 2020
CMS is also seeking app developers
8/17/2018
Healthcare industry hit hardest by cybercrime
The healthcare industry itself is partly responsible
8/17/2018
Top three trends underlining healthcare gamification market landscape
Global valuation to exceed USD 40 billion by 2024
8/17/2018
N.Y. hospital shooting illustrates complexity of threat
Incident spotlighted the complex job of protecting healthcare facilities
8/16/2018
Feds reverse plan to reduce reporting on hospital infections, safety
The information will now be published on the federal Hospital Compare site
8/16/2018
Healthcare workers hike to raise awareness about workplace violence
Minnesota healthcare workers are planning a 100-mile hike on the Superior Hiking Trail
8/15/2018
Security reviewed after apparent murder-suicide at NY hospital
An investigation will be conducted into how the man entered with the handgun
8/15/2018
Oregon toolkit aims to curb healthcare workplace violence
The collaboration grew from a workgroup started in 2014
8/15/2018
Study looks at contamination of frequently touched hospital objects
Study shows bacterial contamination for elevator buttons, door handles and phones
8/15/2018
10 taken to hospital after feeling sick at N.H. medical center
Employees reported feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and tightness in their chests
8/14/2018
Managing patient surges with social media
Use of social apps can help keep track of breaking incidents so appropriate treatment and security can be provided
8/14/2018
Rosebud reservation hospital under scrutiny again
Federal inspectors surveyed the hospital in late July
8/14/2018
How healthcare facilities survive natural disasters
Communication, planning and technology are key
8/14/2018
New Cape Cod healthcare facility being built to survive strongest hurricanes
Hospital adhering to Florida building code standards
8/13/2018
Superbug Candida auris spreads from UK to Australia
Outbreaks have occurred in more than 20 countries since the organism was discovered in 2009
8/13/2018
Interactive calculator quantifies cost savings from using mobile facilities dashboards
Winning budget approval for technology is still a challenge when senior management teams in healthcare are often juggling multiple, and sometimes competing, priorities
8/13/2018
Boosting energy efficiency with building envelope retrofit
Other benefits include improved appearance and uninterrupted workflow
8/13/2018
What to consider when planning for an industrial generator
Age, hours, and fuel type play significant roles in your decision-making process.
8/13/2018
Some bacteria are becoming more tolerant of hand sanitizers
It took a 70-percent alcohol mixture to eradicate some bacteria
8/10/2018
VA Medical Center in D.C. 'deteriorating,' memo says
The VA memo said agency leaders have the concerns about mishaps, employee dissatisfaction
8/10/2018
Calif. hospital reviews active-shooter procedures
Leaders looking at they responded to first 'code black' lockdown
8/10/2018
Water leak postpones surgeries at an Okla. hospital
The water had to be shut off at AllianceHealth Midwest City
8/9/2018
New device diffuses viscous disinfectants
Standard mechanical atomization doesn't work well with viscous fluids
8/9/2018
Maryland organizations collaborate to reduce HAIs
Participating facilities achieved a 14.2 percent decrease in C. diff rates
8/8/2018
Parata Systems boosts customer satisfaction with proactive maintenance and analytics
After finding their existing IoT platform lacking, Parata needed to evaluate other solutions.
8/8/2018
Food service becoming main course at senior facilities
As Americans age, senior living continues to evolve into big business
8/8/2018
Virginia electronically links all of its emergency departments
The ability to view information on a patient's 10 previous ED visits saves on unneeded imaging tests
8/7/2018
Safety improvements ordered for hospitals after arson attack
Entire staff will receive face-to-face fire safety training
8/7/2018
Food service veteran expects continued heavy chef presence in hospitals
James McGrody, UNC Rex Healthcare, discusses industry and career
8/7/2018
AHE announces 2018 Environmental Services Department of the Year Award winners
The award recognizes significant contributions made by an environmental services department to the overall patient experience and achieving a healthcare organization's mission
8/7/2018
Seismic deadlines looming for California hospitals
Kern River Valley facing bed shortage in event of disaster
8/6/2018
Patient satisfaction drives lighting investment decisions
Patient satisfaction and overall comfort can provide a cost benefit that outweighs any electronic dashboard savings
8/6/2018
Indiana microhospital has full food-service operation
Two employees staff the micro hospital’s food and nutrition department
8/6/2018
Common sense approach urged for cybersecurity
Healthcare providers should scale their security programs and understand they're not going to fix everything at once
8/3/2018
Net zero energy is the future of facilities
Practices, considerations for an ultra-efficient building
8/3/2018
Shoddy IT infrastructure invites hackers
Hackers are attracted to hospitals with rapid adoption of IT
8/2/2018
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
8/2/2018
Bill to improve VA waste disposal moves to Senate
The bill would require the VA to install on-site medical waste treatment systems in all facilities
8/2/2018
Security questioned at hospital after mishandling of gun
Police officer heard ordering staffer to pick up a dropped gun during a shooting incident
8/2/2018
Sustainability can be infection prevention issue for healthcare facilities
Chemical safety, energy use and waste reduction can affect patient safety
8/1/2018
Patient risks grow when facilities underestimate IT
Almost every critical system rides on the central IT backbone, including building automation, fire monitoring, emergency power, refrigerators, water management and air management
8/1/2018
The future of electrical power in healthcare facilities
The way power delivery will be accomplished in the future is likely via a wireless power delivery system since plugs are at a premium in hospitals
8/1/2018
Family of ducks rescued from hospital parking structure
The security team stopped traffic to make sure the visitors crossed the road safely after catching the birds in blankets
8/1/2018
Leapfrog updates methodology
The changes will take effect for the grades released in October
8/1/2018
