Sustainable Operations - November 2015
N.Y. hospital goes old school killing germs
Infection-control czar of the Mount Sinai Health System in New York relies on grandmother's favorite - bleach
11/30/2015
Achieving net-zero energy relies om a combination of factors
The effort requires a combination of active and passive systems and community partnerships, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
11/30/2015
Hospitals urged to review disaster plans after Paris attacks
French mass-casualty response can be a guide
11/25/2015
Dealing with the major messes
Sometimes a large spill could have been thoroughly removed if in-house staff had not attempted to clean it up
11/24/2015
Standardizing operating room layout can boost efficiency
The standardization of OR equipment, supplies and technology, can also improve productivity.
11/23/2015
Healthcare facility communication systems key to maintaining safety
Mass communication systems can help streamline operations during emergencies
11/23/2015
Tips for effective healthcare facility cleaning
Best practices keep infection prevention a top priority
11/23/2015
Best practices for infant security
Solutions offered to help a healthcare facility thwart infant abductions
11/20/2015
Q&A on sealing penetrations in smoke barriers
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about sealing penetrations in smoke barriers
11/20/2015
Launching a cybersecurity war room
Larger health systems are setting up around-the-clock security operations centers
11/20/2015
FDA orders recall of 2,800 scope-washing machines
About 2,800 automated endoscope reprocessors made by Custom Ultrasonics are used by hospitals and outpatient clinics in the U.S.
11/20/2015
CDC, ASHE partner on infection control
Three-year initiative to focus on infection control efforts in U.S. hospitals
11/20/2015
Creating a healthcare facility campus security master plan
Creating this types of plan will better prepare a facility to provide needed information, control and awareness
11/19/2015
Understanding floor care needs
Effective floor care plays a role in maintaining high standards of hygiene
11/19/2015
Flooring can improve energy efficiency
The choice of floor surface can influence overall energy consumption and cost in healthcare facilities
11/19/2015
Improving hospital security with integrated two-way radios
White paper encourages adopting digital radios and combining narrowband networks with Wi-Fi and cellular networks
11/18/2015
Energy efficiency improves health
Lowering the amount of energy we waste reduces our need to burn coal and other fossil fuels
11/18/2015
Study says infection control that includes UV disinfection eliminates SSIs
Hospital's two-pronged approach included quality improvement and no-touch environment disinfection
11/18/2015
ISSA 2015 Innovation Program winners announced
Program features 39 products and services from cleaning manufacturers and service providers
11/18/2015
Managing diverse healthcare facility locations with standardized practices
A properly integrated workplace management system (IWMS) can significantly benefit the bottom line
11/17/2015
New fire safety rules reviewed for long-term living facilities
Two new rules that would update fire safety and emergency preparedness standards for healthcare facilities
11/16/2015
Navigating the path to cleaner energy for healthcare facilities
There are countless decisions to be made with each sustainability project
11/16/2015
Hospitals moving toward sustainability
According to the 2015 Health Facilities Management (HFM) Sustainable Operations Survey, some facilities are making take great strides and others are taking baby steps
11/16/2015
Tips on handling potentially hazardous medical waste
Sometimes seemingly minute details can fall through the cracks
11/13/2015
Q&A on trash collection rooms
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about trash collection rooms
11/12/2015
N.J. healthcare facility finds new energy solutions
Hackensack University Medical Center expects annual savings of more than $1 million
11/12/2015
Green energy system to save U.K. hospital more than 500k annually
Scarborough Hospital has invested in a 776k combined heat and power engine
11/12/2015
Collaboration key to fighting HAIs
Infection prevention and environmental services partnership improves results
11/11/2015
High-speed hand dryers called better hygienic option
Significant cost and environmental savings also cited
11/11/2015
Optimizing the OR space
Small improvements in efficiency can offer substantial time and cost savings
11/11/2015
Paper towels called best hand-drying option
Microbes can remain on the hands after washing, healthcare professionals must remove them in the most effective way possible
11/10/2015
Contaminated floors can spread potentially harmful germs and bacteria
Effective cleaning is the best way to keep floors hygienic
11/10/2015
San Francisco facility recognized for safety drills
Presidio Surgery Center honored for 'incredibly realistic' drills
11/10/2015
Preparing for power outages at long-term living facilities
Even a brief power outage can potentially impact multiple systems, according to an article on the Long-term Living website
11/9/2015
Environmental services has role in construction
ES can help to isolate work areas from the rest of the hospital
11/9/2015
New mobile medical unit to serve California youth
Teen Health Van will be operated in partnership with Stanford Children’s Health and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford
11/9/2015
Designing a virtual care center
Chesterfield, Mo.- based Mercy opened the first virtual care center in the United States
11/5/2015
Infection Control Today publishes environmental hygiene survey results
Survey reports on hospital leaders' and infection preventionists' concerns about barriers to environmental hygiene
11/5/2015
Improving the patient experience with technology
Adopting technology can boost a patient’s overall comfort level
11/5/2015
Saskatchewan hospital renews calls for improved safety after robbery scare
Employee confronted by two would-be robbers as he walked to work
11/4/2015
Preventing HAIs and readmissions fines
Environmental services can help curb hospital acquired infections
11/3/2015
Q&A on under-sink storage
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about under-sink storage
11/3/2015
Bedbug treatment options growing
Bedbug populations have spread beyond the bedroom into office buildings, day care centers
11/2/2015
Cincinnati hospital adopts some Ritz-Carlton business practices
The goal is to enhance staff engagement with patients and their families
11/2/2015
A wellness approach to hospital security
Embracing a reactive law enforcement approach in a hospital setting leads officers to miss opportunity to intervene before a situation escalates
11/2/2015
Are facilities prepared for the next Ebola?
Emory University Hospital physician says that critical funding for proper care and control of the spread of highly communicable diseases is being cut, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
11/2/2015