Sustainable Operations - January 2019

Flu activity elevated in most of the U.S.

CDC expects flu activity to remain elevated for a number of weeks

1/31/2019



Critical weather intelligence makes the difference in volunteer hurricane relief efforts

Weather tools help Team Rubicon respond quicker and reduce risks

1/31/2019



Lucile Packard expansion includes displacement ventilation

A shading system on the façade is used to prevent sunspots, which can throw off the displacement ventilation system, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

1/31/2019



Two dead after pigeon dropping infection at Glasgow hospital

Control measures have been put in place amid further investigation

1/30/2019



UK infection measures reviewed after baby’s death

Pseudomonas bacteria are commonly found in soil, plants and water supplies

1/30/2019



Four ways to improve healthcare employees’ well-being

Healthcare facilities are introducing their own versions of on-site services, recreation, and design elements

1/30/2019



Steps for effective emergency preparedness

Make sure your risk assessment and scenario planning are up to date and accurate

1/30/2019



Sunshine may kill bacteria in dust

Dust kept in the dark contained organisms closely linked to some respiratory diseases

1/30/2019



Attorney says clients contracted hepatitis from unsanitary N.J. health facility

Attorney represents hundreds of former patients of facility

1/29/2019



Nurse stabbed on job pushing for hospital safety changes

Massachusetts lawmakers failed to pass legislation in Wilson's name following her attack

1/29/2019



Study: Ultraviolet disinfection 97.7% effective in operating rooms

Study examined a UV light technology that can be used in a range of healthcare settings

1/29/2019



Healthcare facilities' energy efficiency improves air quality

Salt Lake City Op-Ed says healthcare facilities' energy efficiency efforts can impact community health

1/29/2019



Smart home technologies offer opportunities for senior living facilities

A Front Porch of Glendale, Calif., program focuses on using technology to support seniors’ health and well-being, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website

1/28/2019



How clean are healthcare facilities?

Thorough environmental cleaning is required to ensure that hospitals are safe for patients

1/28/2019



Top security concerns of assisted care facilities

IAHSS issued new guidance for handling violence

1/25/2019



Sanitizing a hospital mattress

The procedures are rarely completed properly, especially rinsing, negating the value of the process

1/25/2019



Planning for healthcare facility energy resiliency

A business approach supports long-term resiliency and sustainability

1/25/2019



Facility acoustics should be matched to a space's purpose

Soundmasking and other strategies can help attenuate the signal-to-noise ratio to what's appropriate for a given space.

1/25/2019



Privacy curtains challenge infection control efforts

Most facilities are still using privacy curtains to avoid expensive remodels

1/25/2019





WHO includes flu pandemic, Ebola in top 10 threats to global health

Air pollution and climate change top the list

1/24/2019



Laundering microfiber mops: Is it a good idea in cleanroom environments?

More facilities are laundering and re-using mops as a potential cost-saving and more environmental alternative

1/23/2019



Hacker gets 10 years for DDoS attack on children’s hospitals

Man hacked into the Boston Children’s Hospital IT system in protest of the treatment of a patient

1/23/2019



Jamaica official unhappy with healthcare facility security after baby snatchings

Nearly $800 million has been spent by the regional health authorities in the last year on hospital security

1/22/2019



Stamford Health earns (LEED) Healthcare Certification

The hospital focused on several areas, including airflow, energy consumption and air quality

1/22/2019



Hospitals step up energy efficiency upgrades to cut operating costs and enhance patient experience

Hospitals are in a particularly unique position because they typically operate older facilities, having tight operating margins, and have significant deferred maintenance

1/22/2019



Health tech needs to evolve with changing patient expectations

Patients expect remote consultations, constant connectivity and location-aware mobile services

1/22/2019



Air quality's role in infection prevention can be overlooked

Having the right tools to communicate the importance of temperature and humidity is important

1/22/2019



Michigan hospital testing metal detectors

The metal detectors are being tested in the main lobby, but were previously used in the emergency department

1/21/2019



Arkansas cancer clinic sued over bacterial outbreak

The plaintiffs were clinic patients with chemotherapy ports who were infected with the bacteria

1/21/2019



Tips for more sustainable surgical units

Common sense solutions include reducing non-hazardous waste by reusing materials

1/21/2019



The role of auditing in cleaning and disinfection

Nurses play a vital role in healthcare settings

1/21/2019



'Scary' Muslim family barred from seeing baby in hospital

Family went to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Va., last month to visit a newborn baby girl

1/18/2019



First in-season flu numbers released by CDC

This is the first time these estimates are being provided during the flu season

1/18/2019



Scottish hospital porters handle clinical waste during protests

A union had advised its members to stop dealing with the waste after four staffers were injured

1/18/2019



How ready is the U.S. for an Ebola outbreak?

Fourteen percent of administrators felt their facilities were unprepared for a patient with Ebola or an EID

1/18/2019



Ultraviolet light added to disinfection cuts C diff.

During the study, C diff. infection rates dropped in the intervention units to 11.2 from 28.7 per 10,000 patient

1/18/2019



Florida rehab center where 12 died after hurricane loses license

12 people died when the air conditioning system failed following Hurricane Irma in September 2017

1/17/2019



Maintenance can improve the reliability and performance of irrigation systems

The challenge is that most systems are expected to live far beyond their intended life cycles

1/17/2019



Tucson hospital cooled with radiant HVAC

Medical tower’s mini-central plant on the fourth floor makes the facility one of a kind

1/17/2019



Legionnaires' found at Pennsylvania facility

One of the infected residents has died due to multiple contributing health factors

1/17/2019



Tips for healthcare facility managers to stay in compliance with NFPA

A majority of the updates are related to inspections, paperwork regulations and training

1/17/2019



Moose walks into Anchorage healthcare facility

She munched on some lobby greenery and left

1/16/2019



Study finds bacteria in ancient Irish soil stops growth of superbugs

The soil in question is reputed to have healing properties

1/16/2019



Changes in operations and code requirements affect facility wayfinding

These strategies can help managers ensure signage keeps up with the changes

1/16/2019



Police investigating after vegetative patient gives birth

Arizona's Department of Economic Security is also conducting health and safety checks at the facility

1/15/2019



The physical environment affects health and wellness

Building occupants are beginning to demand that their indoor environment be more than just comfortable

1/15/2019



HHS releases healthcare cybersecurity best practices

Guidance includes 10 best practices for mitigating hacking threats

1/14/2019



CDC, APIC offer new infection prevention tools

Tools released are being tested at three hospitals

1/14/2019



Hartlepool healthcare facilities sees 27 percent drop in C. diff. infections

Reported community acquired infections have shown a 32 percent rise

1/14/2019



Successful drain cleaning requires managers to understand technician needs

Effective specification of drain cleaning equipment can increase technician productivity and improve plumbing system performance

1/14/2019



Reducing cross-contamination risk

The environmental services staff needs to know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting

1/14/2019



Bill Gates says we aren't ready for a deadly pandemic

He believes the next deadly epidemic will be the flu

1/11/2019



Jacksonville hospital evacuates 77 patients after an air handler sparks a fire

Patients including newborn babies were temporarily evacuated

1/11/2019



Phoenix care fa­cil­ity boosts se­cu­rity after vegetative patient gives birth

The enhanced security in­cludes in­creased mon­i­tor­ing of pa­tient care ar­eas

1/11/2019



Study finds: Antimicrobial hospital curtains cut bacterial contamination

One type of antimicrobial curtain was highly effective at reducing the number of bacteria living on the surface

1/11/2019



Mold in hospital’s maternity unit sickens more than 50 employees

More than 50 employees in the maternity unit at Staten Island University Hospital North say they've been sickened in recent months by an odor

1/11/2019



Illinois hospitals facing requirements to reduce violence against nurses

Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, healthcare providers in Illinois must implement specific violence-prevention policies

1/10/2019



Advocate Aurora pledges to use 100 percent clean power by 2030

Using clean power across these sites of care will reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 392,657 metric tons

1/10/2019



Glasgow surgical cleaning unit closes after mold and bacteria is found

Although a deep clean was performed, mould continues to be an issue

1/10/2019



Meeting the requirements for emergency equipment

Employees should be trained on how to use the emergency equipment fixtures before they handle hazardous chemicals

1/10/2019



Bacteria found on EEG electrodes poses infection risk

Twenty-five percent of cleaned reusable electrodes still had bacteria present

1/10/2019



New York hospital urged to move maternity ward over mold and leaking gas fears

The mold and anesthetic gas traces were detected in the maternity ward at Staten Island University Hospital North

1/9/2019



Doctors say Palestinian superbug epidemic could spread

Shortages of water, power and fuel for generators mean doctors cannot always meet even basic hygiene standards

1/9/2019



Epidemiologist: Legionella is everywhere

Doctor says routine cleaning and maintenance of large water systems are key to preventing patients from falling ill

1/9/2019



One dead after Legionella found at West Michigan hospital

The hospital is using alternative water sources and water filtration

1/8/2019



Two fired from N.J. facility that may have exposed thousands to HIV, hepatitis

A Saddle Brook surgery center was closed after state surveyors found an outdated infection control plan and unacceptable sterilization practices

1/8/2019



Maryland hospital's pipes contained uncommon bacteria that infected patients

Patients were infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria living in the plumbing of the National Institutes of Health’s hospital

1/8/2019



Round-the-clock power critical for healthcare

Inefficient access to electricity can mark the difference between life and death

1/8/2019



Hospitals in Australia to give staff body armor

The Australian Health Department has purchased 250 custom body armor vests

1/7/2019



Johns Hopkins hospitals don’t always follow safety rules they pioneered

The hospitals have been accused of setting aside basic safety rules

1/7/2019



The Internet of Medical Things can improve patient care, clinical management

IoMT can support patient, staff and supply management

1/7/2019



Wisconsin healthcare facility launches wayfinding app

Since the Froedtert & MCW Finder App was launched in late 2017, there have been more than 6,000 downloads and about 125 uses per day

1/7/2019



Man dies after jumping from Chicago hospital window

Mercy Hospital patient broke the window before jumping

1/7/2019



NFPA offers a risk assessment checklist for active shooter situations

Guidance includes tips on information officials should be gathering during building risk assessments

1/7/2019



U.S. healthcare worker with possible exposure to Ebola evacuated to Nebraska

The worker was treating patients and had contact with a patient who was later diagnosed with Ebola

1/4/2019



Study says one-wipe cleaning system for nurses is effective

Contamination of the environment around patients seen as MRSA risk

1/4/2019



Formulating a plan for deferred maintenance

Upgrades to facilities can overcome scarce resources to deliver financial benefits

1/4/2019



Hospitals are improving security after shooting at N.Y. facility

An August shooting at Westchester Medical Center killed two

1/4/2019



Shriners nurses launch hand-hygiene program

Patients were deputized as 'Hand Hygiene Police'

1/4/2019



Interoperability of EHR integrations key to changing patient experience

Well-integrated technology not only puts less burden on staff but also increases workflow efficiencies

1/3/2019



Va. health system working to eliminate plastic straws

Inova Health System is also reducing single-use plastic items from public areas

1/3/2019



Mass notification is only one part of emergency communications

System must be integrated with other technologies to form a holistic emergency communications plan

1/3/2019



Study: Isolation room pressure key to limiting spread of airborne germs

A high air-change rate in AIIRs does not ensure efficient removal of infectious agents

1/2/2019



The blueprint for IoT infrastructure in healthcare

Developments in technology that contribute to the Internet of Things are introducing some extremely interesting innovations for healthcare providers

1/2/2019



Key considerations for onsite power

Facility managers should educate themselves about the best fit for their facilities

1/2/2019



New HVAC systems present challenges, opportunities

Mechanical systems have evolved not only technologically, but also in how they're purchased

1/2/2019



 
 
 


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