Maintenance and Operations - January 2017
Video surveillance can curb drug thefts
Height markers should be placed at exits to help identify suspects and video cameras should be positioned at strategic locations
1/31/2017
Hand-hygiene compliance up after safety stand-down
A 'stand-down' is when everyone stops what they're doing, so that an issue can be immediately addressed
1/31/2017
IoT integration one of video surveillance's newest upgrades
Latest video surveillance systems designed to overcome challenges that come with a healthcare environment
1/31/2017
Dirty instrument found at Detroit hospital one day after investigation ends
Michigan regulators are reviewing whether to reopen probe
1/30/2017
Human error blamed for embryo-destroying hospital blackout
A hospital generator failure was likely caused by human error in wrongly leaving a control switch off
1/30/2017
Study says UV light helps eliminate four superbugs
UVC was used against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA; vancomycin-resistant enterococci, or VRE; Acinetobacter and Clostridium difficile
1/30/2017
Vermont Healthcare facility creates 'safe space' for patients
Grace Cottage Hospital's emergency department's 'safe room' built for vulnerable patients
1/30/2017
N.J. healthcare facility to test employees, patients for lead
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is giving lead tests to its workers, patients and visitors
1/27/2017
Nova Scotia emergency rooms to get security upgrade
Report makes 12 recommendations to improve safety
1/27/2017
Drills help Texas healthcare facility prepare for the worst
Medical Center Hospital tries to maintain supplies to be self sufficient for 96 hours
1/27/2017
Preparing for an active shooter
American Hospital Association webinar outlines steps to prepare for a gunman
1/27/2017
Top patient safety issues for 2017
The Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality editorial team chose 10 patient safety issues for providers to prioritize in 2017
1/26/2017
Wander management for long-term facilities
Resident wandering is a serious patient safety issue in long-term care, but recent technology solutions have helped, according to an article on the Longterm Living magazine website
1/26/2017
Hospital's discount store purchases questioned
Scottish hospital gets glowing report – but concerns raised about tubs bought from Poundstretchers
1/26/2017
Nevada dementia care facility features in-room sensors
Technology helps staff see crisis before it fully develops
1/25/2017
Addition of UV light cuts transmission of bacteria by 30 percent
Randomized trial finds use of UV-C machines can cut transmission of four major superbugs
1/25/2017
SEIU's food service workers approve Mayo proposal
Five hundred food service workers have approved the first of two votes required to accept a Mayo Clinic compromise
1/24/2017
2016 investors were bullish on health information technology
Digital and consumer-focused applications and services were most popular
1/24/2017
OSHA finds Wisconsin medical clinic exposed workers to asbestos hazards
Company knew of asbestos-containing material since 2008
1/24/2017
Technology can boost hand-hygiene compliance
Electronic hand-hygiene monitoring more thorough than direct observation
1/24/2017
Healthcare facility adopts airline-like digital wayfinding
Carle Foundation Hospital app combines wayfinding and scheduling
1/24/2017
Respiratory outbreak closes nursing home to visitors
The nursing home portion of the Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre has been closed to visitors since Jan. 6
1/24/2017
Sixty percent of health equipment in Africa destroyed by rats
Expert said the situation pointed to the dangers that exist when biomedical engineers are not consulted in the management of health equipment
1/23/2017
Superbug may be more widespread than previously known
Study says drug-resistant CRE superbugs may be spreading more widely than previously thought
1/23/2017
Technology use can trim healthcare facility expenses
Blockchain and Internet of Things can cut costs by 20 percent
1/23/2017
Limerick hospital fire safety lapses spur threats of legal action
Emergency room at University Hospital ‘not fit-for-purpose’
1/23/2017
Dementia facility outbreaks highlight infection control issues
Long-term care facilities have increased challenges with infection control
1/23/2017
Not all menus are created equal for Michigan healthcare facilities
Hospital food is moving slowly from high-fat to healthy, but there are exceptions
1/23/2017
NFMT event to include seminar on improving healthcare infrastructure
The 2017 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.
1/23/2017
Hospital safety measures have changed since 1998 infant kidnapping
Kidnapping of Kamiyah Mobley from a Jacksonville, Fla., hospital just hours after birth spurred a dramatic increase in hospital security
1/20/2017
More cleaning staff at hospitals urged
The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions says there isn’t sufficient cleaning staff to keep hospitals clean
1/20/2017
Pan-resistant bacteria now considered worldwide threat
Woman in Reno, Nev., killed by superbug after visiting India
1/20/2017
State says patient contracted Legionnaires' disease while at Flint hospital
An unidentified patient was infected last fall while being cared for at McLaren Flint Hospital
1/20/2017
Fresno nursing home shuts off water after patient tests positive for Legionnaires
The Horizon Health and Subacute Care facility is investigating how a resident was infected
1/19/2017
Technology's impact on hospital hygiene is growing
New survey says modernized healthcare equipment can have a significant impact
1/19/2017
Conman sells fake fire safety glass to healthcare facilities
Fake fire-resistant glass was sold to hospitals and primary schools across Ireland and the U.K.
1/19/2017
Massachusetts hospital adds digital welcome for kids
MassGeneral Hospital's animated video talks about the layout of the unit, furnishings and equipment in the exam room, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
1/19/2017
Mobile dental facility connecting with community
The Nicklaus Children's Hospital mobile health unit is fitted with two dental suites
1/19/2017
Broward Health CEO discusses Fort Lauderdale airport shooting
Hospital took in more than 50 patients following the incident
1/19/2017
Mayo food service proposal waiting for union response
Mayo's proposal would bridge the compensation gap through 2017 in exchange for SEIU withdrawing its formal complaints
1/18/2017
WHO's guidelines for infection prevention
Healthcare facilities are continually challenged by healthcare-associated infections
1/18/2017
Treating hospital air: A corporate infection prevention director’s answer to the problem of air contamination
The answer was found in an existing patented disinfection solution that combines an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) chamber and air circulating fans with an overhead ceiling light.
1/18/2017
Justifying price of whole-room disinfection robot
Whole-room disinfection is not only a matter of patient safety, but also one of effective cost containment
1/18/2017
Healthcare facilities boost security after attempts to abduct infant
A woman was escorted out of multiple hospitals in Tacoma area
1/17/2017
Presence Health settles With OCR for HIPAA breach
The settlement is the first to enforce the notification rule
1/17/2017
Ensuring central utility plant reliability
Code compliance and budget constraints are two of the challenges
1/17/2017
Healthcare urged to update software
2017 should be the year the legacy information technology solutions used by many healthcare providers are replaced
1/17/2017
Virginia facility planned with graywater recycling system
To meet goal for a 25 percent campus-wide potable water use reduction the University of Virginia Health System will collect and filter storm water and condensate from the air handling unit, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
1/17/2017
Healthcare facilities feel impact of extreme heat
Majority of Southeastern Australia hospitals not designed with weather risks in mind
1/16/2017
Orlando healthcare facility's mass casualty drills helped them prepare for shooting
Forty-four victims were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center after nightclub shooting
1/16/2017
Stopping healthcare facility energy loss at the door
Opening and closing doors can expend large amounts of energy
1/16/2017
Data analytics, Internet of Things create new frontier in fire and life safety
New strategies and technology are shaping healthcare facility fire-safety planning in the 21st century
1/13/2017
Telehealth's impact on healthcare's physical environment
Technology has decreased the traffic into and capital spent on brick-and-mortar healthcare facilities
1/13/2017
Lessons learned from cybersecurity in 2016
Hackers had found their prime target in the healthcare industry in 2016
1/13/2017
Bed bugs, bite risks and healthcare facilities: What every manager needs to know
As more is learned of the cryptic and adaptive bed bug, control programs must also adapt to continue providing protection to health care facilities and their patients.
1/13/2017
3-D mapping allows seniors to explore community
Residents and visitors can use an app to take virtual tours of the community
1/13/2017
Hospitals warned of potential terrorist attacks
The United States Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter to officials in the public health sector
1/12/2017
Perth hospital says filters would take care of lead contamination in water
Experts have so far failed to find the source of lead that has driven elevated levels in the hospital's water supply
1/12/2017
N.M. VA hospital getting energy-saving upgrades
Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque and the El Paso VA Health Care System will receive almost $22 million in upgrades
1/12/2017
Cuts to environmental services staff lead to rise in hospital-acquired infections, study says
Union representatives drew a relationship between hospital underfunding and a rise in preventable deaths
1/12/2017
Controlling healthcare facility middleware security vulnerabilities
Middleware has great potential for mitigating healthcare IT interoperability issues
1/12/2017
Healthcare facility environmental services managers share top concerns
Role of the environmental services department in patient care often underestimated
1/12/2017
Designing for long-term care infection control
Designers should take every opportunity to protect against possible bacterial and infectious agents
1/11/2017
California hospital buildings need seismic upgrades
Three Sonoma Valley Hospital structures not earthquake-ready
1/11/2017
Mayo offering transition plan to food service workers
Union members will vote on the proposal Jan. 12-13
1/10/2017
IoT may open healthcare industry to more cyberattacks
The IoT will lead to many benefits, but with connectivity comes the risk of an increase in attacks
1/10/2017
OSHA requests comments, schedules meeting on standard to prevent workplace violence in healthcare
A recent Government Accountability Office report found that the rate of workplace violence against employees providing healthcare and social assistance services is substantially higher than private industry.
1/10/2017
FDA warns of dangers from battery-powered medical carts
Food and Drug Administration has received reports of fires and explosions
1/9/2017
Flu sweeping through Canadian nursing facilities linked to 15 deaths
Seventeen care facilities in British Columbia are believed to be affected
1/9/2017
Flu sweeping through Canadian nursing facilities linked to 15 deaths
Seventeen care facilities in British Columbia are believed to be affected
1/9/2017
Patients, visitors hide in safe room during waiting room brawl
More security called for because 'no one was available' when the violence erupted
1/9/2017
N.M. healthcare facility's recycling program cuts 200 tons of waste in a year
The San Juan Regional Medical Center has been working on reducing its carbon footprint since 2007
1/9/2017
Hospital trust called pest controllers more than once a week last year
The trust in Cumbria, U.K., called in pest controllers 58 times during the 2015/16 year
1/9/2017
Hospital trust called pest controllers more than once a week last year
The trust in Cumbria, U.K., called in pest controllers 58 times during the 2015/16 year
1/9/2017
Window design can support mental health treatment
Windows can serve as patients' primary connection to the outdoors, according to an article on the Behavioral Health website
1/9/2017
Healthcare ransomware attacks in 2016
Becker's Hospital Review website revisits a dozen attacks from last year
1/9/2017
Maintaining physical safeguards for patient information
Healthcare facilities urged to consider all physical assets containing PHI
1/6/2017
Fire-rated glazing can boost security
Fire-rated glass systems can be an alternative to walls in many healthcare facility settings
1/6/2017
Connecticut healthcare facility getting energy upgrade
Connecticut Valley Hospital has begun a comprehensive efficiency project
1/6/2017
Healthcare facility's environmental services team behind infection prevention and control efforts
Infection prevention and control team at Salisbury District Hospital focuses on patient safety
1/6/2017
Healthcare facility's environmental services team behind infection prevention and control efforts
Infection prevention and control team at Salisbury District Hospital focuses on patient safety
1/6/2017
2016 saw a 63% hike in major healthcare cyberattacks
Report says U.S. hospitals lack new technologies and best practices to protect itself
1/5/2017
Dead mice, insects found near facility's instrument sterilization area
Officials are advising patients to get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV
1/5/2017
Dead mice, insects found near facility's instrument sterilization area
Officials are advising patients to get tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV
1/5/2017
Attacks on nurses increasing
Experts concerned about the workplace safety in healthcare facilities
1/5/2017
North Dakota State Hospital plans energy-efficient upgrades
Efficiency upgrades to heating and cooling systems are expected, along with lighting, roofing and insulation replacement
1/4/2017
Armed inmate escapes N.C. hospital in leg shackles
Patient fled Cape Fear Valley Medical Center emergency department with a police officer’s Taser
1/4/2017
5 key reasons healthcare facilities are switching to CMMS for enhanced operational efficiency
CMMS software can streamline maintenance management functions that are crucial to running healthcare facilities at peak efficiency
1/4/2017
Preparing for Calif.’s workplace violence prevention in healthcare rule
By April 1, 2017, many healthcare employers in California will need to comply with the new regulations
1/3/2017
Setting sights on your data: Visual hacking in high-risk industries
Healthcare organizations may be at risk to low-tech visual threats
1/3/2017
Security and staff stop a shooting at Fla. healthcare facility
Security officers disarmed a man who fired a rifle inside a Veteran Affairs facility
1/3/2017