Patient safety has to be part of every department mission to be effective because the physical environment can make an impact, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
Examples include reducing purchases of furniture with antimicrobials. At least five hospitals have signed up for the Safer Chemicals Challenge, an initiative of Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm.
Flint, Mich., hospitals have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement additional processes to safeguard the quality of their water.
Kaiser Permanente is investing $115 million to remodel and refresh nearly 80 of its mental health facilities.