- February 2016
Environmental services team leading infection battle
Housekeeping is one of those routine amenities people may not notice — unless it was missing
2/29/2016
Healthcare facilities use green initiatives to curb effects of pollution on health
Hospitals are using cleaning fluids and chemicals that safely eliminate pathogens
2/29/2016
Too many patients using ER as primary care as Northern Colorado companies build ERs to meet demand
Freestanding emergency rooms are becoming more common across the U.S
2/29/2016
Transition to the New Parkland takes more than planning
It took planning, persistence, and patience to move staff, patients, and equipment across a highway from the old location to the new, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/29/2016
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.
2/29/2016
Integrating nurse call and patient locator systems can cut response times
Real time patient locator systems can trigger a notification for environmental services that the room is now vacant and needs to be cleaned
2/29/2016
Height-adjustable bathroom fixtures can make life easier for people with mobility challenges
Fixtures have been designed to allow quick and easy height and position adjustability
2/29/2016
Hexatier launches enterprise-class solution for database security and compliance in the cloud
2/29/2016
Phoenix VA postpones surgeries due to mechanical issues
Crews worked to fix a problem with the ventilation system and engineers need two or three days to complete a full evaluation of all the mechanical systems supporting the operating rooms
2/26/2016
Privacy by design in behavioral health facilities
The need for privacy remains integral to a patient’s experience as more outpatient facilities include behavioral health
2/26/2016
New Parkland Hospital gets bold exterior
Despite its many amenities, advanced technologies and sheer scope, New Parkland’s most recognizable feature is the bold design that fashions the building’s exterior
2/26/2016
Expert says longterm care execs' salary hikes may 'trickle down' to facility staff
Multi-facility longterm care executives got salary increases across the board
2/26/2016
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.
2/26/2016
Expanded scope cleaning process comes with higher costs
Virginia Mason Medical Center has revamped its practices to avoid another breakout
2/26/2016
Wisconsin hospitals' best-rated rooms
Eight hospitals were recognized by patients for having the cleanest rooms
2/26/2016
Universal Lighting Technologies releases EVERLINE sign tube for simple outdoor LED replacement
2/26/2016
Health system investing $3 million in competitor's MRI facilities to join 'convenience revolution'
Wisconsin's ThedaCare partners with its competition to create a new care delivery system
2/25/2016
Palo Alto Medical Foundation recognized for interior design
San Carlos, Calif., facility was honored at the 37th Annual Interiors Awards
2/25/2016
Veterans can excel in healthcare security settings
Healthcare industry can benefit from the talents and leadership qualities of former military
2/25/2016
Research says no disinfectants completely remove bacterial biofilms from water lines
Study found the disinfectants recommended by water line manufacturers don't actually shift all the bacteria
2/25/2016
NFMT session to address emerging infectious diseases in the built environment
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.
2/25/2016
Cubicle curtains come with infection issues
How to clean and how often to change them can be a problem
2/25/2016
Going from management to leadership
Leadership implies helping and aiding others to achieve something greater
2/25/2016
Va. bill would remove longterm care facilities' option to bar cameras in rooms
New legislation toughens the regulation by requiring that nursing homes allow the cameras
2/24/2016
Divide and conquer for better OR cleaning
Dividing the room into assigned zones keeps staff focused
2/24/2016
Saskatchewan healthcare facility plans to be redesigned
Proposed Leader Healthcare Facility Integration project will be re-tendered to trim costs
2/24/2016
Q&A on waste containers
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about waste containers
2/24/2016
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.
2/24/2016
Boston Children’s Hospital told to slow down expansion
Massachusetts regulators are asking the hospital to show that its $1 billion campus expansion won’t hurt efforts to control healthcare costs
2/24/2016
Surveying patients on healthcare facility designs
A design team surveyed cancer survivors about their experience with treatment and the environment in which they receive care, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/24/2016
Deadly crash reveals healthcare facilities are using old aircraft to transport patients
Light planes using piston engines instead of the safer modern turbines are still being used by Australian healthcare facilities
2/23/2016
Hospital laundry contract awarded to company caught drying garments in the open air
South African health department hoping to use the company’s poor performance to terminate the contracts
2/23/2016
Keys to effectively plan for emergencies
The older adults living in care communities are vulnerable in emergency situations
2/23/2016
Are healthcare facilities focusing too much on survey scores?
Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey (HCAHPS) scores have caused healthcare providers to focus more of their efforts on what is being measured in the survey in an attempt to improve outcomes and maximize their reimbursements, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/23/2016
Some link microcephaly to water supply rather than Zika
A group of Argentinian physicians claims a toxic larvicide is to blame for the huge spike in babies born with microcephaly in Brazil
2/23/2016
Art in healthcare facilities can help wayfinding, branding
Artwork in hospitals has been linked to better pain control and reduced anxiety
2/23/2016
Investigation finds serious sanitary issues at Pa. nursing homes
Inspection reports from the Department of Health show a long list of violations including live maggots found in a resident’s feeding tube
2/22/2016
Monitoring technology protects hospital patients from renovation noise, dust
Chris Evert Children's Hospital in Fort Lauderdale is undergoing a four-year, $33 million renovation project
2/22/2016
Congress may merge VA hospitals with military facilities
Merger of healthcare facilities would mean active duty soldiers and veterans would be treated side by side
2/22/2016
Red Teams can enhance hospital security
Red Teams can evaluate campus protection measures and challenge assumptions
2/22/2016
Maryland system repurposed office space into flexible healthcare facility
Converted 20,000-square-foot space was designed for holistic care
2/22/2016
Lunera Lighting's Helen lamp product family adds plug-and-play LED T8 linear fluorescent replacement
2/22/2016
Rochester hospitals join to fight C. Diff.
Four hospitals are forming a C. difficile prevention collaborative. Six nursing homes that share patients with the hospitals have formed a separate alliance
2/19/2016
St. Louis agency studying feasibility of healthcare clinics at MetroLink stations
Bi-State Development is looking into the possibility of opening clinics that would offer services such as basic medical care, dental checkups and eye exams
2/19/2016
Connecticut medical group co-locates multiple practices into new outpatient building
Stamford Health Medical Group's collaborative care model features universal exam rooms, integrated work areas for staff, centralized common areas, and shared conference rooms for staff training and patient education, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/19/2016
Boosting healthcare facility cleaning best practices
Cleaning professionals have a number of training opportunities and educational resources available
2/19/2016
Using climate data for healthcare facility planning
Most hospitals don't use local climate change projections into their risk management and planning
2/19/2016
Developing an environmental services department budget
The most critical element is alignment with the vision of the healthcare facility
2/19/2016
BioStripe, the world’s first waterborne marking paint from natural soybean oil, now available
2/19/2016
Calif. hospital using fax machines, paper after hit by ransomware
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center has transferred patients as it attempts to bring its database back online
2/18/2016
Hospitals with the unhealthiest food options
A new report names the worst hospital food environments in the nation
2/18/2016
Preparing for infectious disease patients
White paper offers ideas on developing operational and facility responses for both emergency room intake and patient care biocontainment units, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/18/2016
Designing compliant hospital pharmacies
USP 797 sterile compounding regulations will require planning
2/18/2016
Hospital uses steam to boost food choices, reduce waste
'Steamplicity' technology uses a pressure valve, which produces steam-cooked meals
2/18/2016
Bacteria-killing paint may be a passive weapon against HAIs
Claims are similar to that made by copper, which has become known for its ability to kill bacteria
2/18/2016
Throwback Thursday photo highlights '70s laundry co-op
N.D. hospitals partner to solve their laundry problems
2/18/2016
Safety/risk debated with more hospital guards armed
Man seeking help for mental illness shot in Texas hospital
2/17/2016
Safety/risk debated with more hospital guards armed
Man seeking help for mental illness shot in Texas hospital
2/17/2016
N. C. hospital offers free shuttle service during construction
McDowell Hospital in Marion began the service to help patients and visitors make their way around the campus as the new hospital is built.
2/17/2016
Today’s healthcare facility leader needs to be flexible
For accountable care organization, the traditional approach to the facility has already begun to change
2/17/2016
Designing for the telemedicine spaces of the future
Infrastructure considerations include room configurations, interior finishes, data capabilities, lighting and power
2/17/2016
Safe showers and water temperature key to senior facility safety
Among the top 10 issues for long-term care facilities is non-compliance with codes that require automatic temperature control of water used in resident bathrooms
2/17/2016
Use the energy of a new building to transform operations
A new space can yield better outcomes and improved team performance and patient experience
2/17/2016
CNL Healthcare properties commits more than $1 billion for acquistions and development in 2015
2/17/2016
House OKs bill to tighten control on VA projects
Legislation would increase oversight and management of large construction projects at the Department of Veterans Affairs
2/16/2016
Designing ambulatory spaces for staff interaction
Healthcare organizations are shifting their care to team-based ambulatory models
2/16/2016
Industry benefiting from laundry's growing importance in healthcare
Hospital-acquired infections and increased outpatient usage are contributing to the increased demand for the linens
2/16/2016
Protecting healthcare facilities from bed bugs
More than a third of pest management companies reported treating a healthcare facility for bed bugs in 2014
2/16/2016
Purchasing software in the healthcare industry
Optimizing procurement and payment policies can save healthcare organizations thousands of dollars each year
2/16/2016
Northwestern Memorial Hospital adds fine dining option
Chicago hospital hosts restaurant as a new way to engage with the community
2/16/2016
Flint hospitals working to ensure water safety
Three health systems investing in water purification
2/12/2016
Inquest into Legionella death finds hospital failed to keep water supply safe
Testing by Public Health England found the Royal United Hospital water supply ward was contaminated with Legionella
2/12/2016
New digital-first hospital plagued by people problems
Technological aspects success as disputes arise in cleaning staff
2/12/2016
Energy efficient lighting at Virginia VA hospital to help fund additional services
$1.58 million project will renovate the facility with new lighting, sensors and controls
2/12/2016
Hospital creates interactive journey for young patients
Juliana Children’s Hospital in The Netherlands installed an interactive journey using projections, hands-on objects, and 43,055 square feet of graphic wall coverings, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/12/2016
Texas healthcare facility recognized for revamping alarm management system
Texas Children’s Hospital created a dashboard that collects and analyzes data by area, nurse and patient
2/12/2016
Kalorama: Not surprisingly, growth in hospital infections leads to revenues for control companies
2/12/2016
BannerDrop ceiling display system allows banners installed in high places to be easily changed
2/12/2016
Why the FDA took years to warn about scope-related infections
Staff at the federal agency losing the report was one of many missteps
2/11/2016
Virginia hospitals projects Lean toward success
Two hospitals share a 665,000-square-foot building and offer specialized care for women and children
2/11/2016
Creating a safer healthcare facility
Leaders urged to work with staff who design and care for the hospital
2/11/2016
How healthcare facilities managers achieve energy efficiency
The right operational steps can lead to sustainable healthcare operations
2/11/2016
Including telehealth in a healthcare facility strategy
Widespread adoption of telehealth could contribute to $300 billion in savings for the U.S. healthcare system
2/11/2016
Designing for short-stay patients
It’s not cost-effective to build full acuity-adaptable inpatient rooms for short-stay patients, but for those staying more than 12 hours or overnight, spaces should go beyond the traditional observation unit, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/11/2016
Healthcare facilities save money when staff takes the stairs
Study says England's NHS hospitals could save more than 100 million pounds a year
2/10/2016
Hospital security guards want power to detain or restrain violent patients
Australian security professionals express concerns about staff numbers, job training and hospital safety
2/10/2016
Rural Michigan adding healthcare facilities to schools
Cedar Springs School Health Center available to the community as well as the students
2/10/2016
How design can streamline doctor visits
Design features can help to speed up doctor visits, increasing office productivity and patient satisfaction, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/10/2016
Nurses offer insights into healthcare design
Book by the Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design and Herman Miller Healthcare includes nurses' perspectives
2/10/2016
Infographic: Understanding and preventing hospital-acquired infections
Graphic identifies the people who are at the greatest risk of contracting a HAI, what factors increase the risk of being infected, and how to prevent the most abundant HAIs
2/10/2016
OSHA schedules meeting of the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health in February
2/10/2016
Sealed Air’s Diversey Care Solutions help University of South Carolina achieve sustainability goals
2/10/2016
Trimble acquires Sefaira Ltd.—Leading provider of software for high-performance building design
2/10/2016
Healthcare worker hand size can impact infection control efforts
Size can affect bacterial load, product effectiveness
2/9/2016
New Orleans' VA hospital slowly moves ahead
Delays and bureaucratic knots have pushed the complete opening of the $1 billion complex back to the end of 2017
2/9/2016
Healthcare building boom makes construction crane Florida's state bird
Healthcare constructions sites are popping up in nearly two dozen communities throughout the state
2/9/2016
Improving patient experience focus of healthcare construction
Health Facilities Management and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association surveyed a random sample of 3,125 hospital and health system executives to learn about trends in hospital construction
2/9/2016
Staff training, retention key for environmental services
Pressures to reduce costs and staff turnover are among the biggest issues affecting the professional housekeeping/cleaning sector, especially within the healthcare sector, according to an article on the Long-term Living website
2/9/2016
Q&A on egress hardware
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about egress hardware
2/9/2016
Boosting infection control efforts in outpatient facilities
A survey by Outpatient Surgery Magazine polled 140 surgical facility managers on their top infection control products
2/8/2016
Healthcare facility design can boost the spirit of wellness
New designs should boost worker performance, productivity and patient satisfaction
2/8/2016
Evolving healthcare market has specific flooring needs
Needs are driven in part by prevention of slips and falls and infection resistance
2/8/2016
Environmental services managers says they are pressured to reduce labor
Cleaning professionals survey says more respondents feel recession is over
2/8/2016
Central line-associated infection control environmental cleaning
Infographic to raise awareness for CLABSIs and promote practices to improve patient outcomes
2/8/2016
OSHA certifies New Jersey occupational safety and health plan for state and local government workers
2/8/2016
Is your healthcare facility helipad good to go?
The hospital helipad should not be treated as just a slab of concrete
2/5/2016
Hospitals recognized for rooftop gardens, meatless meals
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine releases rankings on healthful food choices at healthcare facilities
2/5/2016
The Internet of Things could lead to smarter healthcare
Emerging tech holds the potential of revolutionizing healthcare by improving access and lowering costs
2/5/2016
Quaternary ammonium chloride and its advantages in healthcare facilities
Products typically offer broad-spectrum efficacy and do not have the unpleasant odor of oxidizing-based products
2/5/2016
Carrying BIM into facility management requires effective documentation
Second part of FacilityCare series focuses on needed documentation during construction process
2/5/2016
Exam room design trends to watch
The exam room is becoming the central location for care delivery—from standard exams to specialized procedures, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/5/2016
Santa Clara area hospitals gearing up for Super Bowl fans
Game traditionally brings at least 20 percent more E.R. traffic
2/4/2016
Chicago prepares for a post-Ebola public health crisis
Ebola crisis produced a system of training and collaboration among public and private health entities
2/4/2016
Reusable mattress covers cut infection rates at healthcare facilities
The study compared instances of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) by comparing infection rates
2/4/2016
Fargo area struggling to fill healthcare positions
Healthcare facilities having trouble finding staff for in food service, housekeeping and building maintenance as well as nurses.
2/4/2016
Understanding the true cost of HAIs
Due to the lack of reimbursement for HAI-related care, these infections cause major financial losses for hospitals
2/4/2016
Advocate Christ Medical Center patient tower project used hybrid ILPD model
The new eight-story tower houses a birthing center, state-of-the-art operating rooms for cesarean sections
2/4/2016
Poor infection control practices linked to rise of hepatitis C among dialysis patients
Lapses in infection control procedures — including cleaning and disinfection, and hand hygiene — were common at the affected clinics
2/3/2016
Healthcare facility fined when non-surgical towel is found in patient
Hospital can't figure out how towel got there
2/3/2016
Hospitals launch creative campaigns to improve hand hygiene
Efforts include installation of equipment, education and tracking
2/3/2016
LA hospital spends $70 million on an IT infrastructure
Nearly half of the $158 million Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital budget is devoted to technological advances
2/3/2016
Three top 2015 hospital projects recognized
The Healthcare Construction and Operations website names three healthcare facilities as standouts for the year
2/3/2016
A tracking system can improve infection control
Lapses in infection control procedures — including cleaning and disinfection, and hand hygiene — were common at the affected clinics
2/3/2016
ER shooting sparks security concerns at Tampa Bay hospital
Patient fatally shoots himself at Brooksville Regional Hospital after being involved in car accident.
2/2/2016
Medical device and pharmaceutical regulations focus on patient safety
New rules emphasize safety in the supply chain
2/2/2016
Grandview Medical Center brings abandoned healthcare facility to life
Community Health Systems in Birmingham, Ala., turned an abandoned hospital construction site into the new Grandview Medical Center, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
2/2/2016
White paper on digital signage for healthcare available
New technology tools designed for patients and staff
2/2/2016
Q&A on endoscopy ventilation requirements
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about endoscopy ventilation requirements
2/2/2016
Plain language replacing color-coded alerts at some hospitals
Inconsistency of color-coded system led to confusion
2/1/2016
Real estate development in healthcare requires a focus on details
Understanding equity sources, balancing costs, and involving legal departments early in the process can help health systems maintain leverage when selecting a developer
2/1/2016
Keys to maintenance excellence
Four-part series on FacilityCare website will cover seven key factors for maintenance excellence
2/1/2016
Hospitals tailoring services to older patients
The senior population is expected to grow 112 percent by 2060
2/1/2016
Coordinating workplace violence prevention with community partners
A proactive, cooperative relationship with the appropriate organizations in your community will help prevent workplace violence
2/1/2016
Michigan children's hospital stresses efficiency
Children's Hospital of Michigan-Troy designed to transform pediatric care delivery
2/1/2016