Safety - March 2016
Elizabethkingia outbreak spreads from Wisconsin to Michigan
Rare and potentially deadly blood infection continues to spread throughout the Midwest
3/31/2016
Solar-powered sterilization box facility allows for safer surgeries in developing countries
Solar-powered facility helps sterilize medical tools for reuse
3/31/2016
Healthcare facility uses pets to help stressed-out clinicians
Rush University Medical Center in Chicago offers animal therapy sessions
3/31/2016
15 safety violations cited at VA hospital
OSHA cites healthcare facility in Little Rock for multiple hazards
3/31/2016
Hospitals are prepared for events like Brussels bombings
Concerns over budget cuts are still a security concern
3/30/2016
Creating environments for the chronically ill
Health systems are experimenting with cost-effective, short-stay settings to treat and stabilize 'frequent flyer' patients, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/30/2016
Health system partners with Uber to transport patients
MedStar Health uses Uber to help patients get to and from their medical appointments safely
3/30/2016
Elizabethkingia death toll rises to 17 in Wisconsin
Geographic distribution of the cases makes no logical sense and tap water in Wisconsin turns up negative for the bacteria
3/29/2016
Survey shows outpatient construction doubled
Construction projects to address population health doubled across most categories
3/29/2016
Hospitals seeing need to improve their physical environment
There has been a growing emphasis on creating environments that enhance staff experience
3/28/2016
New emergency facility planned for downtown Toledo
New 29,000-square-foot facility will expand surgical services
3/24/2016
Illinois hospital project hits roadblock
Refusal of expansion plan hurts proposed Franciscan St. James Health restructuring
3/24/2016
Improving the patient discharge process
The University Health System in San Antonio opened a transitional care center that serves those who’ve been discharged but aren’t able to immediately walk out the door, as well as patients waiting for a bed, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/23/2016
Power cut off for hospital in Puerto Rico that owes $4 million
Utility said it waited for surgeries to end before pulling the plug
3/22/2016
Va. move to allow nursing home cameras delayed
Original bill changed guidelines for voluntary regulations
3/22/2016
Florida outpatient center designed with Lean principles
Lee Memorial Health System builds its first Lean-designed facility
3/22/2016
Healthcare industry needs new building types
Emerging building types need to integrate services into unique market offerings, creating multispecialty programs that share identity, staff, and equipment, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/22/2016
Healthcare construction growth led by MOBs
Medical office building square footage expected to nearly double in 2016
3/21/2016
Nevada healthcare project worked to engage surrounding city
The Union Village project in Henderson, Nev., built relationships with its local community while building its facilities, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/21/2016
Hospitals changing ERs to meet demand for routine care
Some hospitals are trying to make the ER experience more convenient for patients
3/18/2016
Dominican Republic cardiovascular center designed around tree theme
Each floor abstracted the colors of the trees in different seasons. The palette goes from earthly tones to bright and vivid with a distinctive color as part of the wayfinding system, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website.
3/18/2016
Sacramento healthcare facility loses backup power due to flooding
Sutter Medical Center’s main hospital was forced to postpone or relocate 50 surgeries
3/18/2016
What is Elizabethkingia, the rare bacterial infection spreading in Wisconsin?
It is believed to be spread by a procedure, device or fluid in a healthcare setting
3/17/2016
Charlotte VA Health Care Center designed for one-stop care
New facility is a $104 million, five-story brick-and-glass structure
3/17/2016
Renovated space in Connecticut designed for streamlined care
Stamford Hospital's new outpatient medical building includes several new concepts to increase efficiency
3/17/2016
Throwback photo of hospital ship
The USS Repose and USS Sanctuary provided care during the war in Vietnam.
3/16/2016
Rain blamed as cost of Austin hospital rises
Price tag for new teaching hospital hits $310 million
3/15/2016
NFMT session to address 'Infection Control: Expecting the Unexpected'
The 2016 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.
3/15/2016
Modernizing healthcare facility management
As devices become more connected and building systems more advanced, the facility manager's role will evolve
3/15/2016
Changes to ICC building and fire codes
Code changes were developed for both the IBC and the IFC, and many passed for the 2015 versions
3/15/2016
Facility management leaders discuss the next generation
More than half of today’s facility managers are expected to retire in the next five to 15 years
3/14/2016
South Dakota hospital to lose Medicare funding over safety issues
Issues include broken sterilizing equipment and reports of a woman giving birth to a premature baby on a bathroom floor
3/14/2016
'Five-star' hospital planned in Dubai
Luxury services offered by the hospital will include fine dining and spa treatments
3/11/2016
Freestanding EDs growing in popularity
These facilities are generally built away from existing emergency services with regulatory and code requirements that may allow for less costly staffing models, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/11/2016
NFMT session to address compliance training of hospital employees for infection control
The 2016 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.
3/11/2016
2016 Vista Award winners announced
ASHE honors new construction, renovation and infrastructure projects
3/11/2016
Wisconsin health officials search for source of deadly infections
Elizabethkingia anophelis has been linked to 18 deaths and 44 cases of infection in southern part of state
3/10/2016
Facility renovation focuses on healthy living
Watertown Regional Medical Center's 36,000-square-foot addition includes a renovated kitchen and dining area called Harvest Market Kitchen and Bistro
3/10/2016
NFMT event to include a panel for young professionals
The 2016 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.
3/10/2016
Designing a medical school to serve a changing industry
One goal is to keep it small and have very personalized approaches to students
3/10/2016
Southern California hospitals releasing CRE into municipal sewers
Environmental Protection Agency discovered carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in a treatment plant
3/9/2016
NICU adds parent resource library
Connecticut Children's Medical Center's NICU library is located next to the department and provides books and other informational materials to patients' families, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/9/2016
Disposing of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals
Healthcare facilities should evaluate the best management practices for regulated facilities
3/9/2016
NFMT event to include women in facilities management roundtable discussion
The 2016 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.
3/9/2016
New prototype to address ER overcrowding
Neighbors Emergency Center rethinking traditional layouts and processes
3/9/2016
Some fear free-standing emergency rooms are being confused with urgent care facilities
Free-standing emergency departments are a growing trend in Central Ohio
3/8/2016
Joint and spine center boasts comforts of home
Christ Hospital facility's patient rooms feature entertainment systems
3/8/2016
NFMT session to explore a BIM lifecycle case study on Carolinas HealthCare System facilities
The 2016 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.
3/8/2016
StoneSprings Hospital Center pared down to maximize efficiency
The project team looked for opportunities to maximize efficiency, improve departmental adjacencies and enhance internal circulation, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
3/8/2016
NFMT session to address 'Infection Control: Expecting the Unexpected'
The 2016 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.
3/7/2016