- October 2015
Syracuse hospital tested for Legionella bacteria
N.Y. Health Department testing water at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center
10/30/2015
How hospitals coddle the rich
Elite services exist in various forms and are nearly universal at the most prestigious medical centers
10/30/2015
Popularity of telehealth continues to grow
Telehealth will provide increased healthcare services usually provided at the facility
10/30/2015
Akron hospital mural mark 125th anniversary
Akron Children’s Hospital mural comprises nearly 10,000 individual works of art
10/30/2015
Technology can help with life safety compliance
Maintaining compliance with The Joint Commission’s process can be challenging
10/30/2015
Cancer center design trends address new treatment needs
New treatments must be supported by differently designed treatment and equipment rooms, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/30/2015
ROCKFON Medical ceiling panels offer cleanliness, aesthetics, performance and sustainability
10/30/2015
Surprisingly common crimes committed in hospitals
Slide show highlights the types of incidents that hospitals might not be as well prepared for as they should
10/29/2015
Top Calif. hospitals struggling with infection control
Federal inspections cited five Orange County hospitals nearly 100 times for infection control violations over the past five years
10/29/2015
Akron Children's new pavilion built with integrated Lean project delivery
The team behind the Kay Jewelers Pavilion medical tower at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio, wrote the book on combining Lean and integrated project delivery, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/29/2015
N.Y. hospital gets $5.4 million FEMA grant for energy upgrade
Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco operated on generators for a week after hurricane Sandy
10/29/2015
Flexibility key to healthcare's new sustainability
A green facility's infrastructure must meet today’s and tomorrow’s compliance and operational requirements
10/29/2015
Q&A on comingling oxygen cylinders
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about comingling oxygen cylinders
10/29/2015
Major increase in architecture firms reporting progress on achieving carbon reduction targets
10/29/2015
Probe explores possible mold deaths of two more UPMC patients
UPMC mold crisis could be more widespread than initially believed as they continue to investigate possible fungal-related deaths of transplant patients
10/28/2015
Where do visual privacy gaps exist in your facility?
Identifying high-risk areas can help prevent potential data breaches and support HIPAA compliance
10/28/2015
Staff can help manage healthcare noise and speech privacy
Staff and visitors can play a role by reducing the amount of noise produced in the first place
10/28/2015
Fully digital hospital opens in Toronto
The Humber River Hospital in Toronto features automated kiosks, where patients are able to enter their information to be given their medication from a robotic arm
10/28/2015
Design educators must adapt to the healthcare sector's changing needs
One of the biggest changes is a growing recognition that students need specialized knowledge to practice in an increasingly complex, multidisciplinary and technically challenging environment, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/28/2015
Creating a sustainable outpatient center
Presence Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago builds facility to support active and sustainable community
10/28/2015
Minnesota hospitals review workplace violence plans after shooting
Aitkin County Sheriff’s investigator was killed in the line of duty, at St. Cloud Hospital
10/27/2015
Things to consider with a clean energy plan
With an energy transformation there is not always a clear path for achieving desired results
10/27/2015
Mobile device management and security
To the mobile workforce, companies should establish a secure mobile device management (MDM) system for employees
10/27/2015
FEMA grants N.Y. hospital $5.4 million
Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco will upgrade the hospital's electrical power system
10/27/2015
Will the new 'house call' effect facility planning
A 2012 showed an increase in positive outcomes for home healthcare patients compared to hospitalized patients, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/27/2015
N.Y. hospital has long road to recovery after Sandy
The repair process for the city's Bellevue facility took a lot longer that the nearby VA's
10/27/2015
Connection between Cubs and healthcare facilities comes out of left field
The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System's Research and Educational Hospitals were built on the site of the old ballpark
10/26/2015
ISU students win national healthcare environment design award
The Iowa State students took first place for their conceptual design of a second patient tower at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
10/26/2015
Sustainable design in harsh environments
Smart design choices can create buildings and landscapes that work efficiently but also are resilient in extreme weather
10/26/2015
Designing to meet Boomers' needs
Healthcare design professionals need to rely on knowledge-based design because a mature research and evidence-based design repository doesn’t yet exist, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/26/2015
Healthcare disaster prep should focus on kids
Disasters' effects on children may be more significant because environmental hazards may affect them more quickly
10/26/2015
Solid surfaces choices can effect maintenance
Durability and consistent color are important factors
10/26/2015
Healthcare can learn from Disney technology
Wearable devices can transform the customer experience
10/23/2015
Writing on the wall: Designing healthcare facilities for healthy behaviors
By converting clinical interiors into flexible, positive and aesthetically pleasing spaces, facilities can improve the patient experience, facilitate healing, enhance visitor comfort and heighten staff productivity
10/23/2015
Healthcare construction waste diversion proves to be cost-effective
For a 250,000-square-foot medical facility, roughly 1.1 million pounds of materials must be removed, recycled or reused
10/23/2015
Felician Village retirement residence improves food service programs and financial practices
The assisted living resident dining program was upgraded from a non-selective menu to selective table service and restaurant-style menus with no additional staffing or additional costs
10/23/2015
Environmental services worker recognized for patient safety efforts
A long-time employee of Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital has been awarded for infection control work
10/23/2015
Q&A on storage in a separation of different occupancies
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about separation of different occupancies
10/23/2015
Weird crimes committed in hospitals
Hospital security have had to deal with some outrageous crimes
10/22/2015
Florida hospital plans facility for patient families
Florida Hospital Orlando project will include 24 rooms, a porch, kitchen and laundry facilities
10/22/2015
Reviewing Ebola waste disposal protocols
Reassessment of the efficiency of methods determined in last year's outbreak urged
10/22/2015
Once-toxic N.Y. site to become healthcare facility
Radiology clinic in Brighton Beach was formerly a brownfield
10/22/2015
'Most Connected' Hospital list released
U.S. News & World Report recognizes hospitals for their use of health IT to improve patient care
10/22/2015
Decluttering hospital corridors
Hospitals must maintain free and unobstructed access to all exits and minimize fire risk
10/22/2015
All-new VersaClean portable extractors deliver superior cleaning for carpets, hard surfaces
10/22/2015
Hand-hygiene behaviors, attitudes affect patient experience
Ninety-three percent of healthcare facility patients and visitors agree that hand hygiene is more important in healthcare settings
10/21/2015
California hospital adopts new trends in hospital food
Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton offering fresh and healthy choices and cooked-to-order meals
10/21/2015
Healthcare can learn from Harley-Davidson
Healthcare organizations must face the reality that they're competing for hearts, minds, and dollars the same way other businesses do, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website.
10/21/2015
UVC light disinfection shines in the fight against HAIs in ambulatory healthcare
The new 18,000-square-foot emergency department will have 23 beds, including 14 beds for acute care
10/21/2015
N.C. hospital planning new emergency department
The new 18,000-square-foot emergency department will have 23 beds, including 14 beds for acute care
10/21/2015
Assessing risk in behavioral healthcare facilities
The occurrence of inpatients harming themselves or others is increasing
10/21/2015
Ingersoll Rand marks climate commitment achievement at White House HFC Reduction Roundtable
10/21/2015
N.J. hospital runs gunman protocol drill
Hospital employees also are trained in the health system's disaster response through computer modules
10/20/2015
A facility manager can boost a healthcare project's ROI
Having the facilities department is at the table early can help in the handoff
10/20/2015
Healthcare buildings play a role in the overall resilience of a community
Designers must create spaces that are part of a larger conversation on how cities are designed and the role healthcare buildings play in the larger plan, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/20/2015
Specifying emergency power in hospitals
Installations for hospitals must comply with NFPA 110 in conjunction with NFPA 70
10/20/2015
When to repair or replace medical equipment
One way to help decide whether to replace an item is the carrying cost of older equipment
10/20/2015
Asbestos found in hospital not a safety risk
New Zealand board says no one's safety is at risk after asbestos was found in three buildings at Dunedin Public Hospital in Dunedin
10/20/2015
Generac City offers expansive, interactive collection of industrial case study comparisons
10/20/2015
Monitoring dust during healthcare construction
Particulate monitoring can measure how much dust is escaping from construction work area containments
10/19/2015
Massive Alabama hospital move finishes ahead of schedule
Dozens of ambulances help Trinity Medical Center carry 98 patients to its new facility
10/19/2015
Hospital's fire safety fixes to cost millions
A recent report says fire safety failures stretching back years have the potential to put staff and patients at 'intolerable risk'
10/19/2015
UV cuts C. diff transmissions on cancer floors
Study shows that ultraviolet robots helped reduce the transmission rates by 25%
10/19/2015
Napa hospital recycles runoff
Queen of the Valley Medical Center waters its grounds with the condensation from its air-handling units
10/19/2015
Healthcare facility called an evolving specialty
Healthcare master planning is mirroring the current evolution of the healthcare industry, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/19/2015
New SCA survey in North America shows hand washing awareness affects u.s. patient experience
10/19/2015
Man who died after struggling with hospital guards had a broken vertebra
74-year-old man died two days after being restrained by security guards at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
10/16/2015
Emory gets $2.2 million grant to prevent spread of infectious diseases
CDC grant makes Emory a member of the Prevention Epicenters Program, which focuses on infection control and prevention research in healthcare facilities
10/16/2015
Study says chemicals, UV rays cut superbug transmissions
Using a combination of chemicals and UV light to clean patient rooms cut transmission of four major superbugs by a cumulative 30 percent
10/16/2015
Maryland hospital adds senior ER suites
Carroll Hospital's emergency department senior care suites designed to make older patients more comfortable
10/16/2015
Missouri healthcare facilities increase security after threatening call
An anonymous caller promised “bloodshed” in a threatening phone message left at a University of Missouri Health Care facility
10/16/2015
Standards for hazardous pharmaceutical waste proposed rule
The proposed rule addresses hazardous waste pharmaceuticals that are generated or managed by healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical reverse distributors
10/16/2015
Selective system coordination in healthcare facilities
Electrical distribution systems require engineers to be diligent when designing them
10/15/2015
Wisconsin Health system plans $35 million psychiatric hospital renovation
Aurora Health Care to invest in Wauwatosa campus improvements
10/15/2015
Mercy Health building $3.9 million facility in Ludington
New facilty will provide urgent and primary care, laboratory, imaging, rehabilitation, behavioral health, occupational medicine and specialty clinic services
10/15/2015
Optimizing an operating room
Small efficiencies can add up to substantial time and cost savings
10/15/2015
The prescription for successful healthcare facility operations
Small efficiencies can add up to substantial time and cost savings
10/15/2015
Location options for patient restrooms bring own challenges
Patient restrooms can be located either along the interior wall (inboard) or the exterior wall (outboard)
10/15/2015
Clemson researchers get grant to design safer, smarter hospital operating room
Team will design, develop and test various design and systems solutions and will implement these new ideas in surgical environments
10/14/2015
New Orleans hospitals designed for resilience
Two new healthcare facilities, University Medical Center (UMC) New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System’s new VA medical center are designed with redundancy and armor to protect against a future blow, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/14/2015
S.C. healthcare facilities help hospitals in flood zone
Greenville Health System is one of many offering help to those in the Midlands and Lowcountry
10/14/2015
ER redesign can help attract patients
Boston health system redesigns emergency departments to improve servicesand answer competition from urgent care centers
10/14/2015
Healthcare facilities avoid tripping hazards, bacteria seams in restrooms
Combination toilet/shower rooms are sometimes called universal design
10/14/2015
Q&A on storage in a corridor
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about storage in a corridor
10/14/2015
Distech Controls first to introduce controllers designed to meet oil and gas industry standards
10/14/2015
Schneider Electric named a leader in building energy management software by independent analyst firm
10/14/2015
Telehealth expected to curb healthcare construction
CEO sees the number of hospital stays and surgeries trending down
10/13/2015
Healthcare facilities experiment with new restroom designs
One example is the growing use of prefabricated toilet rooms
10/13/2015
Children's hospital opens in Liverpool
The newly opened Alder Hey Children's Hospital features six large, colorful wards with outdoor play areas, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/13/2015
Princeton Healthcare System invests in cost-effective energy
Facility explored non-traditional energy-efficiency solutions to increase cost savings
10/13/2015
Ohio county considering portable hospital
Location and volunteers sought for emergency facility
10/13/2015
Designing a pediatric waiting room
It is important to provide an orderly, clean and calm yet engaging environment
10/13/2015
FDA orders scope makers to conduct checks in healthcare facilities
Three duodenoscope manufacturers must conduct studies to better understand how the devices are reprocessed
10/12/2015
Texas women and infants clinic designed for gender-specific experiences
The design sought to nourish the female psyche while supporting medical care, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/12/2015
New Illinois healthcare facility a 'one-stop shop'
Healing Arts Pavilion in Plainfield provides outpatient services including laboratory services, advanced imaging, an immediate care center and physical therapy
10/12/2015
Technology can improve the patient experience
Patients expect the same tech conveniences in their healthcare facility as they do in their daily lives
10/12/2015
Cramped Dublin cancer unit called infection risk
Inspection of Beaumont Hospital found patients were being treated too close to each other
10/12/2015
Adopting tech tools can advance facility professionals
Report says facility management's adoption of technology is lagging
10/12/2015
Becoming a green pioneer by (interior) design
The Dell Children's facility became the first project in the world to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Healthcare Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council
10/12/2015
Bronx hospital worker found dead in facility's bathroom
Man was locked inside a bathroom at Montefiore Medical Center, where he worked, for days without anyone noticing
10/9/2015
Houston hospital may lose funding after patient shooting
St. Joseph Medical Center will be cut from Medicare program unless it corrects safety problems
10/9/2015
NFPA 99 for existing facilities addresses power strips
Overlooking these requirements can be costly
10/9/2015
Patient dies in D.C. hospital after confrontation with security
MedStar Washington Hospital Center has yet to release details
10/9/2015
Indianapolis healthcare facilities on construction spree
Hospital systems are back to building as the future of Obamacare become more certain
10/9/2015
Designing surgical spaces to last
Surgery departments must be especially adaptable to accommodate fast advancements in medicine and technology, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/9/2015
Campus transformed to serve community
Little Company of Mary Hospital project balances respect for history and need for modernization
10/9/2015
Firefighters shuttling water to S.C. hospital
Palmetto Health Baptist and Palmetto Health Richland affected by flooding
10/8/2015
White Plains Hospital building 'Hospital for the Future'
N.Y. hospital opens the doors to a new lobby, one of the first finished components of its capital improvement project
10/8/2015
Patch invented to repair hospital beds, prevent spread of infection
CleanPatch works like a Band-Aid to save healthcare facilities from prematurely replacing equipment
10/8/2015
Healthcare design gold standard now focuses on patients
Focus on evidence-based design helps reduce stress and support patient comfort with more homelike features, better lighting, and views of nature, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/8/2015
Healthcare Facilities Code changes approach to compliance
New version assesses the risks of procedures and services that may be performed in a range of facility types
10/8/2015
Dignity Health $220 million renovation design to focus on 'human kindness'
Feedback from patients and families informed 39-hospital project
10/8/2015
Houston hospital squanders FEMA grant meant for rebuilding after hurricane
The Department of Homeland Security is demanding the return of $32.4 million
10/7/2015
Congress OKs funds to finish Colorado VA hospital
The VA can shift money in its own budget to come up with the $625 million needed
10/7/2015
Salt Lake City outpatient facility installs upscale bistro
In its first year, Mountainside Cafe registered 440 daily weekday and brought in nearly $500,000
10/7/2015
UPS to offer medical device replenishment services
Facility will have decontamination capability and instrument inspection to support distribution services to hospitals
10/7/2015
Health systems expected to focus on non-acute care
Mergers and acquisitions indicate a shift toward retail clinics, physician practices and digital resources
10/7/2015
Behavioral healthcare facilities for kids evolving
Seattle Children's Hospital's Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit was designed with the private patient bedrooms with accommodations for parents, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/7/2015
14 salmonella isangi infections reported at Detroit hospital
State health officials and Henry Ford Hospital staff are working to figure out the cause of the outbreak
10/6/2015
Industry knowledge is key to meeting compliance goals
Your security staff must be well-informed and up-to-date on all necessary information
10/6/2015
Detroit health system to build $110 million cancer center
Henry Ford Health System plans center as part of a $500 million expansion of its campus
10/6/2015
Leveraging in-house planning, design and construction team in an evolving healthcare system
With our healthcare system clearly focused on doing more with less, finding leverage at all levels of an organization is paramount.
10/6/2015
Bicester Community Hospital designed for flexibility, efficiency
New $7.8 million community healthcare facility in Oxfordshire, U.K., replaces the existing inflexible and outdated 1908 hospital, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/6/2015
Design changes are improving clinical labs
Automated laboratory lines can streamline processes, boost productivity and reduce errors and cost
10/6/2015
Hospital closes after ceiling collapses on inspectors
Those being treated at Bootham Park Hospital in York were found to be at 'significant risk of harm'
10/5/2015
Afghanistan combat hospital staffed by team of three
Airmen provide the logistics and facilities management at Craig Joint Theater Hospital
10/5/2015
New Albuquerque clinic planned to meet needs of newly insured
Presbyterian Healthcare Services clinic will include primary care, urgent care services, laboratory services and technology-focused services such as the MyChart application and telemedicine visits
10/5/2015
Floor-space use can enhance healthcare
Depending on how space is optimized, healthcare facilities can better direct the assets they have toward efficiency and expand on-site capabilities
10/5/2015
Walk-in clinic adds infusion suite
ReadyMed Plus facility features three medical suites and a large reception area with electronic self-service check-in kiosks and a concierge-style greeter, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/5/2015
Choosing an emergency power generator
Focus on disaster preparedness has driven advances in the generator marketplace
10/5/2015
Johnson Controls unveils enhanced security management system to better protect people and property
10/5/2015
UPMC Presbyterian re-opens transplant program after mold inspection
Facility says it may never find a source for the mold
10/2/2015
Joint Commission issues alert on fall prevention
Sentinel Event Alert 55 addresses preventing falls and fall-related injuries in healthcare facilities
10/2/2015
Behavioral healthcare projects reflect change in attitude
New facilities and renovations illustrate how far mental healthcare has come and its growing role in a more integrated care approach, according to an article on the Healthcare Design
10/2/2015
Infection control goes beyond hand washing
Purchasing equipment, protection during construction and preparing for disasters are part of infectious disease specialist's role
10/2/2015
Hospital central power plant expected to save $500,000 a year
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre expects to reduce the hospital's electricity consumption by more than two-thirds
10/2/2015
Southern California medical offices built to withstand wind
A 350-foot wall's undulating pattern is designed to slow down wind speeds as they reach campus and to shield patients and visitors from the gusts
10/2/2015
Danfoss honors EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems with sixth annual EnVisioneer of the Year award
10/2/2015
First all-digital hospital opens in Toronto
Humber River Regional Hospital described as green, lean and all digital
10/1/2015
670-bed hospital OK'd in U.K.
Midland Metropolitan Hospital to be the UK's first PF2 hospital
10/1/2015
N.J. hospital opens renovated emergency room
New Saint Peter's emergency room includes new flooring, updated facilities, private rooms, and three different care centers
10/1/2015
Using facility design to benefit care, budget
Information technology and facility design can support new models of patient care
10/1/2015
Infusion suite includes art installation
Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell. Iowa, used the windows and suite walls as a canvas for a botanical art installation as part of a build-out project, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/1/2015
Rebuilding a legacy
Replacing San Francisco's Chinese Hospital creates challenges - from a small staging area to working around multiple daily deliveries to neighborhood vendors
10/1/2015