Project News for Healthcare Facilities - January 2013
Healthcare sector to lead construction growth in 2013, 2014
Healthcare is expected to be the strongest institutional sector for construction growth with a projected 4.4 percent increase in 2013.
1/30/2013
Efficacy of hand hygiene products is subject of new ASTM antimicrobial standard
A new ASTM International standard describes the use of pigskin as an alternative to human hands in testing the efficacy of hand hygiene products in combating contamination.
1/30/2013
Hospitals see customer base expand via domestic medical tourism
American healthcare consumers are shopping medical facilities with ever increasing frequency to get the best deal for their procedures.
1/29/2013
Proposed ASHRAE standard on legionellosis prevention open for comment
Changes to clarify requirements in a proposed ASHRAE standard to prevent legionellosis associated with building water systems are open for third public comment from Jan. 25 to March 11, 2013.
1/28/2013
North Dakota oil boom taking toll on regional healthcare facilities
While the oil boom may be good for the overall economy of North Dakota, it has been taking a heavy financial toll on healthcare providers in the region. Area medical facilities have been inundated with uninsured patients, resulting in unpaid medical bills, leaving the hospitals in serious debt.
1/28/2013
NYC building code restricts interior finish options in healthcare
Updates to the New York City building code restrict the use of interior finishes common in healthcare settings. According to the 2008 New York City building code, materials must now meet smoke development classifications, in addition to fire resistance classifications.
1/25/2013
Life safety code altered to allow limited items in healthcare corridors
In recognition of operational needs in hospitals, the 2012 edition of the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101, Life Safety Code allows limited groups of furniture and certain other projections into corridors in healthcare occupancies, provided corridors are at least 8 feet wide, according to an article in the NFPA Journal.
1/25/2013
Water conservation could mean big savings for healthcare facilities
With water and sewer utility rates rising between 5 and 10 percent every year in many parts of the United States, investments in water conservation practices could lead to substantial savings for healthcare facilities.
1/22/2013
Expert suggests healthcare emergency power best practices
In the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, there has been much discussion about the emergency power systems in healthcare facilities and what should be done to safeguard against negative impacts on patent care.
1/22/2013
New children's hospitals showcase family-centric design
The efforts of several major children's hospitals to upgrade their facilities to be more patient and family friendly highlights the ongoing trend in patient-centric healthcare design — with the end goal being the creation of an environment more conducive to healing.
1/17/2013
University of Chicago unveils new hospital
A dedication ceremony was held Jan. 14 for the University of Chicago Medicine's new Center for Care and Discovery on the university's south-side campus.
1/17/2013
Hospital reduces HAIs with disinfecting robots
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital are having success cracking down on healthcare-acquired infections (HAI) by using robots to clean patient rooms.
1/16/2013
Whitman-Walker Health to open new health care center in Washington, D.C.
Whitman-Walker Health will open a new center at 1525 14th St. NW in mid-2014. The nearly 43,0000 square-foot center will allow Whitman-Walker to expand its primary medical, mental health and dental care services, as well as allow for a larger pharmacy, according to a press release.
1/14/2013
California's North Bay area sees spike in healthcare construction
The North Bay area of California, comprising Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties, will see a number of major health care construction projects underway in 2013, with some either reaching key phases or completion by 2014.
1/14/2013
FCC launches $400M healthcare broadband fund
The FCC on Jan. 9 announced a new $400 million annual Healthcare Connect Fund that will encourage the use of broadband telecommunications technology at healthcare facilities nationwide.
1/10/2013
AIA and NIBS launch website to aid evidence-based design efforts
Proponents of evidenced-based design in healthcare facilities just got a new tool to aid in their mission.
1/10/2013
Data center safety regulations may face OSHA scrutiny
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may be taking a closer look at how data center operators interpret the electrical safety standard that requires employers to disconnect the power source and lock out electrical supply to a circuit before work can be performed nearby.
1/9/2013
A. baumannii bacteria challenges hospital cleaning protocols
A. baumannii requires new cleaning protocols according to a recent study that found more than half the rooms positive for the bacteria prior to cleaning remained contaminated after cleaning.
1/9/2013
Healthcare design teams could benefit from patient advocate on staff
Anne Marie Philbrook, principal and lead designer of Philbrook Healthcare Design, suggests design teams can provide more creative, patient friendly environments if they have "patient-experience specialist" on staff looking out for the patients' interests.
1/9/2013
Emergency departments for the elderly offer the comforts of home
The New York Times reports a growing trend toward designing hospital emergency rooms that cater to the specific needs of baby boomers and their parents.
1/9/2013
Prison healthcare facility taking shape in California
Construction continues on schedule for the nearly $1-billion California Health Care Facility in Stockton, Calif.
1/8/2013
Hospitals reap benefits of automated visitor management
A recent article in The Fayetteville Observer notes enhanced security measures for visitors at the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center are met with praise from security personnel and visitors alike. But the center is not the first to employ an automated visitor management system.
1/8/2013
Feds hold healthcare providers accountable for electronic HIPAA breaches
Hospice of North Idaho has agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) $50,000 to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This is the first settlement involving a breach impacting fewer than 500 people.
1/4/2013
Hospital joins CDC study to test UV disinfection
Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, N.C., is the latest hospital to join a two-year study, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that will measure the effectiveness of using no-touch environmental UV disinfection technology to clean in healthcare facilities.
1/3/2013