Infection Control - February 2021
Rethinking Safety and Security in the Pandemic Era
Emergency and business continuity plans, particularly pandemic plans, will get refreshed
2/26/2021
Hospitals Across South Review Crisis Performance
Facilities faced three key challenges: accessing water for HVAC systems, sourcing oxygen and getting supplies
2/26/2021
Case Study: Disinfecting Contaminated Cell Phones and Tablets
Ultraviolet-C light is an effective alternative to germicidal wipes for disinfecting devices
2/26/2021
Doctor Wounded in Attack by Patient
Patient stabbed a doctor while being treated inside Pennsylvania Hospital
2/26/2021
Beware Casual Conversations and COVID-19: Study
Researchers say infections occurred likely due to not wearing a mask in social situations
2/25/2021
Mass Communication’s Role in Emergency Response
System enables healthcare workers to quickly and discreetly report incident
2/25/2021
No Surface? No Touch: Technology Targets Infections
Touchless technology aims to enhance hygiene and minimize risk of infection
2/25/2021
COVID-19 Prevention as IT Security Strategy
Applied to IT, health measures have potential benefits
2/24/2021
Hospital Maintenance Staff Shines in Cold-Weather Crisis
Employees carried buckets of well water throughout hospital
2/24/2021
How COVID-19 Is Reshaping Food Service
How can managers use staff effectively to deliver a quality product and meet customer expectations?
2/24/2021
Pandemic Uncovers IT Vulnerabilities
To protect patient and financial data, a proper security setup should include multiple controls
2/24/2021
Resource Targets HVAC Controls and COVID-19
No definitive recommendations exist for environmental controls when handling COVID-19 patients
2/23/2021
Protecting Workers Beyond COVID-19
Workplace violence is four times more likely to occur in healthcare settings than other private industries
2/23/2021
Ransomware Protection Extended to Private Hospitals
No-cost protection service is already available for public hospitals, health departments and healthcare organizations
2/23/2021
Should We Introduce Good Microbes into a Facility?
Instead of killing all the bacteria, facilities could add good microbes into surfaces or the air
2/23/2021
Rethinking Food Service in COVID-19 Era
University of California San Francisco Health relaunches delivery in main facility
2/23/2021
Healthcare Facilities Contend with Knockoff PPE
Agents intercepted hundreds of thousands of counterfeit 3M brand masks
2/22/2021
2020 Data Breaches Skyrocket 55.1 Percent
Hacking and IT incidents led to 67.3 percent of all healthcare breaches
2/22/2021
Strategies and Tactics to Improve Hand Hygiene
Monitoring by itself doesn’t change behavior of healthcare workers
2/22/2021
Hospitals Lead in Augmented Reality Use
Technology is likely used for virtual tours and smart maintenance
2/19/2021
Hospital, Clinic Shootings Put Spotlight on Security
Healthcare workers face constant challenge of assessing patients for threats
2/19/2021
COVID-19 Will Transform Food Service
Cost pressures probably will force dining programs to seek relief
2/19/2021
Americans Backsliding on Handwashing
As pandemic wears on, Americans are washing their hands less often and for less time
2/18/2021
How IoT Can Benefit Healthcare Facility Managers
Healthcare facilities are vulnerable to water damage, but sensors can alert FMs to trouble
2/18/2021
Cleaning Robots: The Impact on Environmental Services
Robots would not take environmental services jobs but might help workers disinfect hospital more quickly
2/18/2021
Hospital Shooting Continues String of Attacks
Two wounded, one arrested in shooting outside medical center
2/17/2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Checklist for Facility Managers
Executing a high distribution of the vaccine is possible with a solid plan
2/17/2021
Ransomware Attacks: What Can IT Managers Do?
Central to preventing attacks is ensuring staff are informed and taking precautions
2/17/2021
Ice Machines Linked to Nosocomial Infections: Study
Dozens of machines frequently contaminated with gram-negative bacilli and Candida species
2/17/2021
Troubled Chicago Hospital Files for Bankruptcy
Moves comes after state regulators rejected proposal to close down hospital
2/17/2021
Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Strike Hospitals: CDC
Outbreaks linked might be linked to reuse of personal protective equipment by staff
2/16/2021
Healthcare Cyber Attacks Exploded During Pandemic
Three-quarters of all breaches tied to third parties
2/16/2021
Evidence Grows That Masks Essential in Battling COVID-19 Spread
Two studies take closer look at role of mask-wearing in preventing illness
2/16/2021
Healthcare Cyberattacks Rise 177 Percent
Attacks targeted life science and research labs, rehabilitation facilities, hospital systems, and healthcare organizations
2/12/2021
One Year Later, PPE Presents Challenges
CDC recently issued guidance that two masks might be better than one
2/12/2021
Healthcare Tech Not Prepared for Cyberattacks: Survey
Only 18 percent believe security built into their medical devices is strong
2/12/2021
Clinic Shooting Spotlights Violence Threat in Healthcare
Suspect kills one person and wounds four others in attack
2/12/2021
The Role of Emergency Management in COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
In coming months, emergency management teams will be crucial in establishing and delivering distribution plans
2/11/2021
Strict Infection-Prevention Measures Stop Superbug Outbreak
Cleaning, disinfection, hand hygiene and other measures, contained outbreak within two months
2/11/2021
Healthcare Cyber Attack Targeted 36,000 Patients
Information included Social Security numbers, birth dates, bank and financial account numbers, medical record numbers and diagnosis details
2/11/2021
Researchers Test Wearable Device Targeting Handwashing
Technology must be further developed and tested to improve hand hygiene compliance
2/11/2021
Hackers Post Trove of Stolen Patient Info
Posts include patient names, addresses and birthdays, as well as medical diagnoses
2/10/2021
Assisted-Living Center Resident Suspect in Maintenance Worker’s Murder
Suspect had been told he was not allowed to have gun
2/10/2021
Flooring Focus: Keeping COVID-19 At Bay
Managers and general public have questions about long-term effects of treating soft and hard floor surfaces
2/10/2021
Healthcare Suffered 239.4 Million Cyber Attacks in 2020
FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and other federal agencies all have issued warnings about the surge in attacks
2/9/2021
Rethinking IT Security Amid Telehealth Expansion
New report notes an increase of more than 140 percent in mentions of telehealth-related keywords on dark web
2/9/2021
RFID Offers Potential Benefits to Hospitals
Technology enable automated monitoring of locations, movements and identities of assets
2/9/2021
Culinary Center Targets Hospitals and Resilience
Healthcare systems are seeking to prevent disease and health issues in communities by addressing social determinants of health
2/9/2021
Mechanical Explosion at Hospital Injures 2
Explosion of mechanical equipment in basement went up chimney shaft and damaged several floors
2/8/2021
Protest, Attack Prompts Hospital Lockdown
As crowd gathered, the hospital went into lockdown and requested additional sheriff's deputies
2/8/2021
NFL Scores with COVID-19 Measures
A closer look at key elements of program to minimize spread of coronavirus
2/8/2021
Association Renews Focus on Healthcare
IEHA changed its name and rebranded to bring EVS employees to the forefront
2/8/2021
Joint Commission Proposes Workplace Violence Standards
Standards call for hospitals to have a violence prevention program developed by a multidisciplinary team
2/5/2021
Refrigeration Breakdown Prompts Vaccine Scramble
Freezer storing 1,650 doses of the clinics’ COVID-19 vaccines stopped working
2/5/2021
Alerts Continue on Hospital Cyber Attacks
The latest ransomware strikes hit more hospitals than previously known
2/5/2021
Hospital Security Touted in Machete Attack
Security upgrades have included more exterior lighting and call boxes, access control on more than 130 doors, and nearly 300 cameras
2/5/2021
Clinics Ventilation Not Up to Standard: Study
Investigators looked at stand-alone clinics, ancillary clinics to hospital systems, clinics in retail pharmacies and urgent care centers
2/4/2021
Hospital Study Explores Benefits of Disinfectant Wipes
Cleaning time decreased by 12 minutes for discharges and 20 percent for daily cleaning
2/4/2021
Bill Targets Emergency Plans in Long-Term Care
Legislation would apply to assisted living facilities, adult family homes, enhanced services facilities and nursing homes
2/4/2021
Resource Targets HVAC Systems and COVID-19
Guide aims to help performance of flush calculations to reduce the time and energy to clear spaces of contaminants
2/4/2021
How To Minimize COVID Liability and Ensure Compliance
As the pandemic continues, OSHA will be instrumental in ensuring safe conditions for workers
2/3/2021
COVID-19 Ramps Up Hazards in Healthcare
UV disinfection and masks can create issues for staff, occupants and visitors
2/3/2021
EPA OKs Antiviral Air Treatment for COVID-19
Product can be used in indoor spaces where social distancing is difficult, including food preparation areas in healthcare facilities
2/3/2021
PPE Issues Continue One Year Later
Mississippi man allegedly attempted $1.8 million scheme to hoard PPE: DOJ
2/2/2021
Inside Efforts to Combat Cyber Attacks on Healthcare
Technology implementation, along with many personnel working from home, has led to more attacks
2/2/2021
Clinic Murders Spotlight Workplace Violence in Healthcare
Threat of workplace violence remains a top priority for facility managers
2/2/2021
Cyber Attacks Strike Two Healthcare Organizations
Attack in Washington drives county health department’s computer infrastructure offline
2/2/2021
Faulty Valve Label Cited in Deaths of Two Patients
Hospital says issue was oxygen valve mistakenly turned off during maintenance
2/2/2021
Hand Hygiene Key in Controlling COVID-19
When staff focus on imminent patient care needs, hand hygiene compliance can slip
2/1/2021
Incidents Highlight Risks Facing Hospital Workers
As front-line healthcare workers risk health and safety battling COVID-19, security workers and others face dangers
2/1/2021
As Remote Work Goes On, Protecting Data Becomes Crucial
Only two of every ten survey respondents said they have adequate resources to support employees working remotely
2/1/2021
Environmental Services Evolves in COVID-19 Era
Role of EVS technicians has been highlighted and recognized more than ever before
2/1/2021
