Infection Control - June 2015
Dallas' new Parkland Memorial Hospital receives LEED gold
The hospital previously won LEED gold for its eight-story parking garage and seeks the same status for its new power plant
6/30/2015
Dietary errors is an often hidden threat to patients
Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority identified 285 dietary errors in healthcare facilities during study
6/30/2015
Tips for sustainable environmental services
Environmentally sound practices can also save money
6/30/2015
Tracking healthcare facilities' energy use
By improving energy efficiency, hospitals can generate a new source of capital to increase the bottom line
6/30/2015
Testing infection prevention effectiveness
Confirming the disinfection of high-touch surfaces is important in healthcare facilities
6/29/2015
Focusing on infection prevention
There are a number of different best practices and technologies healthcare facility managers use to help help battle infections
6/29/2015
Fire detection, protection in healthcare facilities
Healthcare facilities require fire alarm and detection specifications at a higher level than in other buildings
6/26/2015
Proper washing, storage keeps most healthcare textiles safe
Laundering procedures shown to be effective at preventing the spread of infection
6/26/2015
Nursing home bedbugs a growing problem
Hospitals doing a better job than nursing homes dealing with pests
6/25/2015
Antimicrobial textile manufacturers address pandemic issues
Infection Control Today interviews manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) and antimicrobial textiles on pandemic preparedness
6/25/2015
Vancouver emergency rooms not expected to survive major quake
Aging hospital buildings found to be at high-risk of collapse or being rendered useless by a strong tremor
6/25/2015
Healthcare laundry best practices reviewed
Laundry recommendations include adherence to standard precautions (gown and gloves) and minimal textile agitation when handling contaminated laundry in isolation rooms
6/25/2015
Illinois healthcare facility project boosts security
Franklin Hospital in Benton will upgrade emergency room
6/24/2015
Maine hospital project to benefit budget, environment
The annual savings for Pen Bay Healthcare could be more than $550,000
6/24/2015
Are wifi devices safe in healthcare facilities?
Radiation caused by wireless devices can interfere with medical equipment and lead to serious clinical consequences
6/23/2015
Tackling hospital facility challenges
Healthcare Construction+Operations News interview focuses on the challenges and opportunities that healthcare facilities face
6/23/2015
Hospital fire brings focus to trash chute safety
A fire at a New York hospital began in a trash chute, apparently caused by soldering during a necessary repair
6/22/2015
Q&A on ABHR dispensers in business occupancies
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on ABHR dispensers in business occupancies
6/22/2015
Luxury vinyl tile gaining more popularity in healthcare facilities
New type of vinyl flooring is second only to carpeting in how frequently it is installed
6/19/2015
Designing for resiliency becoming more common place
Planning for resiliency isn't new to healthcare design. Facilities have been dealing with the impacts of natural disasters for many years, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/19/2015
Safety surveys can curb patient risk
Facilities must evaluate their safety practices to ensure they are doing everything they can to safeguard patients
6/18/2015
Housekeeping is a partner in infection control
Reducing the spread of germs and diseases is the responsibility of all employees
6/18/2015
Q&A on ILSM implementation
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on ILSM implementation
6/18/2015
U.K. hospital trust fined for legionella control problems
Investigation identified a history of failing to manage legionella
6/17/2015
Going green paying off for Southeast Michigan healthcare facilities
Sustainability in healthcare is touching on mainstream from an operations standpoint
6/17/2015
Managing retail healthcare facilities with service automation
A new class of technology called service automation is supporting the rapid growth in retail healthcare
6/16/2015
Healthcare facility staff risks safety to avoid parking fees
Employees of of Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital are choosing to park off-site to avoid paying up to $76.60 for two weeks of secured parking
6/15/2015
Disinfecting while preventing harmful exposure
Study reports a growing a demand for disinfecting strategies and increasing evidence that exposure to cleaners can result be harmful
6/15/2015
Healthcare facilities face unique security challenges
Digitized healthcare records are extremely valuable to criminals and facilities are still learning how to protect them
6/15/2015
Does washing uniforms at home effect infection control?
A recent UK study (1) found that 44% of nursing staff washed their uniforms below the recommended temperature of 60˚C
6/15/2015
Saskatoon healthcare facility opens with state-of-the-art technology
The Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility (SIHF) in Maple Creek, Saskatoon, will have nurse communication devices that are integrated with the telephone system
6/12/2015
The evolution of healthcare meal planning
Executive chef at Washington hospital discusses food service's role in healthcare, the farm to hospital trend
6/12/2015
Michigan hospital partners with salad restaurant
The Big Salad opens seventh location at the University of Michigan Hospital Cafe
6/12/2015
N.C. health facility cafe invests in pizza upgrade
The team at The Korner Cafe at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh worked on a shoestring budget and 'just made it happen' by adding the correct equipment
6/11/2015
Establishing healthcare disinfection programs
One tactic for improving the cleanliness of surfaces, is to use the right disinfectants
6/10/2015
Identifying Lean opportunities in healthcare
Lean is about reducing cost through the elimination of variation and waste
6/10/2015
Q&A on electrical safety program
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on electrical safety program
6/10/2015
Room service adjusts to facilities' evolution
When a Long Island hospital absorbs 32-bed orthopedic program, needs and expectations changes
6/10/2015
Keeping patients safe from superbugs
CDC says healthcare facilities must do more to mitigate the threat of CRE
6/9/2015
Biggest trends in healthcare power, efficiency
More healthcare systems are considering a move to a self-reliant microgrid
6/9/2015
Geisinger Health Center renovates food service to boost production
The 350-seat Atrium Cafe, located on the campus's Hospital for Advanced Medicine, replaced three operations
6/9/2015
Drugs thefts reveal gaps in hospital security
Safeguards include restricted rooms, heavy surveillance
6/8/2015
Report eyes healthier disaster planning
Building healthier communities should be focus in disaster preparation
6/8/2015
Self-check-in kiosks can boost patient experience
San Diego-based Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group installs kiosks to remain competitive in changing market
6/8/2015
'Celebrity chefs' in healthcare foodservice
Healthcare foodservice chefs are consistently overlooked
6/8/2015
Concrete work causes noxious fumes in Michigan healthcare facility
Sparrow Hospital in Lansing detected fumes near operating room
6/5/2015
Planning fire drills in healthcare facilities
Staff, visitors, volunteers and others may ignore the fire alarm and continue to go on with their day
6/5/2015
Healthcare facilities stressing cleaning protocols for C. Diff
Almost half hadn't adopted strict limits on the use of antibiotics, but protective gear, separate hospital rooms and special cleaning techniques were in place in virtually all hospitals
6/5/2015
Concerns raised about fire-proofing materials at UK infirmary
Materials used in Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle cited for not meeting required standard
6/5/2015
Healthcare food service facing new challenges
As healthcare systems continue to consolidate, they must compete with other providers
6/5/2015
UK hospital installs security fence after sexual assaults
A rape and sexual assault of two women are among 30 incidents which reported at Sheffield hospitals in a three-month period
6/4/2015
Transforming healthcare lighting
Proper outdoor lighting is a critical element in shaping visitors' perceptions of a healthcare facility
6/4/2015
N.H. healthcare facility gets nonlethal devices for protection
Devices can record interactions with unruly patients or visitors, shine a laser pointer on them and shoot a stream of pepper gel
6/3/2015
'Design thinking' urged for healthcare tech
Design begins by gaining an understanding of how a system is likely to be used within a given environment
6/2/2015
Q&A on the required width of new corridor
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on the required width of new corridor
6/2/2015
Healthcare facility's telecommunications system relies on five features
From verbal codes to technology, a hospital must be able to trust its communication system
6/2/2015
Canadian healthcare facility focuses on security after fatal shooting
Security at local hospitals is a top concern after a woman was attacked at Guelph General Hospital
6/1/2015
N.Y. hospital and civic center collaborate on energy proposal
Glens Falls Hospital and Adirondack Civic Center Coalition are seeking funding for a 'micro-grid' power project
6/1/2015