Industry News - January 2014
Bedpans get new cleaning solution
With the exception of the U.S., most industrialized nations now use mechanized bedpan washing technologies
1/31/2014
California lawmaker to introduce bill for oversight reforms of elderly care facilities
Bill would also increase training, and require facilities with residents who have restricted or specialized health conditions to employ trained medical personnel
1/31/2014
Hospital presentation facilities have unique needs
The right lecterns and sound systems for healthcare settings must fit with the location and purpose
1/28/2014
CMS issues update to equipment maintenance guideline
Memo requires all hospital medical imaging and radiation therapy equipment to be maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommended standards
1/27/2014
Florida hospitals serving organic, locally grown food
St. Vincent's Clay County, other hospitals focusing on 'superfoods,' locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as all-natural meat, fish and poultry
1/27/2014
Hospital parking fees angering patients
Some hospitals lowering fees after patient complaints. Many suburban or rural areas facilities don't charge for parking.
1/24/2014
Medical waste management training portal launched
Portal provides information on U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations
1/23/2014
New Year's resolutions for hospital CFOs
CFOs urges to invest, conserve, challenge the status quo and take calculated risks
1/22/2014
Clinics more efficient, cost-effective, health officials say
Healthcare efficiency trends are causing a California county clinic construction boom
1/21/2014
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to 're-educate' staff about waste disposal
A box of syringes found at a landfill last week was traced back to a UPMC hospital
1/17/2014
How to make the case for hospital infrastructure funding
Getting depreciation funding often involves selling the maintenance mission and needs a multifaceted approach.
1/16/2014
Boston firm helps hospitals share expensive equipment
Fleet of vans and specially trained movers help hospital systems lower costs by sharing equipment among different facilities
1/16/2014
Michigan health system offering 'Healthy Meals to Go' program
Covenant HealthCare Nutrition Services can provide nutritionally evaluated meals for discharged patients with special diets
1/15/2014
A facility portfolio analysis can assist master planning
Portfolio prioritization is one key piece of information to evaluate when considering funding projects
1/15/2014
Australian healthcare system maintains unisex wards despite complaints
Queensland Hospital patients report embarrassment and awkwardness of sharing a hospital ward with the opposite sex
1/14/2014
UPS opens expanded healthcare distribution facility in Ontario
New addition provides healthcare companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers with a total 600,000 square feet of temperature and humidity controlled environments
1/14/2014
Northwestern Memorial elevates food service with improved restaurants
Rising consumer expectations feed growth of hospital restaurant options
1/13/2014
Streamlining instrument tray cleaning
Sterile processing department can be weighed down by many unnecessary and inefficient steps
1/10/2014
Irish hospitals going tobacco-free
Smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the grounds of healthcare facilities
1/10/2014
Facility management value to patient care demonstrated through benchmarking
Data shows highest facility operating costs occur for maintaining buildings at 16 to 20 years
1/10/2014
Pennsylvania hospitals may skip some state reviews
Pennsylvania Department of Health can grant "deemed status" for licensure purposes to hospitals that have been accredited by national accreditation organizations
1/9/2014
Mix of air purification methods helps indoor air quality
Combining ultraviolet germicidal irradiation light and gas-phase air purification with photo catalytic oxidation called a a new and powerful tool
1/9/2014
ASHE app offers resources to go
Mobile site includes regulatory updates, news, educational opportunities
1/8/2014
Making parking easier for the baby boomer generation
Design of healthcare facility parking lots and parking spaces should be considered when planning for more elderly drivers
1/7/2014
Tennessee health system to retain outside vendors during $10 million renovation of food services
Erlanger assures staff that new food service contract won't drop favorite eateries
1/7/2014
New EPA clean air rules will affect hospital power systems
Regulations limit allowable exhaust emissions and changed the rules applying to certain types of system operations
1/2/2014