- June 2014
San Francisco hospitals rehabilitating hospital food
Facilities join with Physicians for Social Responsibility to brainstorm ways to change hospital food
6/30/2014
Use of mass notification systems during an emergency
When additional security personnel are needed in a short amount of time, communicating the right information quickly and efficiently is important
6/30/2014
UK hospitals' revamped energy systems to save 2.5 million lbs
Two NHS hospitals in East Cheshire are hoping to cut their carbon footprint by 30 percent
6/30/2014
Michigan hospitals working to prevent infections
Muskegon, Grand Rapids facilities working to safeguard patients and their bottom lines
6/30/2014
Mobile clinic project helps bring healthcare to remote areas
Moved to Care design challenge requires designers to create a clean, sterile environment for small surgical procedures, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/30/2014
Wausau presents Custom Window by Wausau historically accurate windows and terrace door inserts
6/30/2014
Honeywell introduces Uvex Tirade sealed eyewear for protection in high particulate environments
6/30/2014
Sweat hurts anti-bacterial brass surfaces
A new study shows sweat can cause corrosion of the protective qualities of brass surfaces - such as doorknobs - that contain bacteria-fighting copper
6/27/2014
Controversial N.Y. hospital expansion OK'd
New York Methodist Hospital to build an eight-story, U-shaped outpatient center in the brownstone neighborhood
6/27/2014
Controversial N.Y. hospital expansion OK'd
New York Methodist Hospital to build an eight-story, U-shaped outpatient center in the brownstone neighborhood
6/27/2014
New hospital maintenance rules kick in July 1
Guidelines clarify when a hospital may adjust its maintenance, inspection and testing activities from what is recommended by the manufacturer
6/27/2014
Northern California health system to invest $11.5 million in patient lifts
Sutter Health will install 1,036 overhead patient lifts at 19 intensive care units and acute rehabilitation centers
6/27/2014
Best practices created for dementia care design
The Alzheimer's Foundation collaborates with architects for long-term care design report, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
6/27/2014
East Harlem hospital honored for construction management
Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility named 'Project of the Year' by NY/NJ Construction Management Association of America
6/27/2014
Swedish healthcare design reflects culture
Sweden's leadership in sustainable design is often reflected in its healthcare design, according to a blog on the Healthcare Design website
6/27/2014
Infant abduction puts spotlight on maternity ward security
Hospitals nationwide have upped security measures in their nurseries in recent years
6/26/2014
Consult models outside of healthcare to improve patient experience
Healthcare providers compare themselves to each other and benchmark their customer service accordingly. This sets the bar in the wrong place.
6/26/2014
Michigan hospital holds armed-intruder drill
Monroe facility held drill to test existing resources and determine what else may be needed in the future
6/26/2014
Integrated project delivery (IPD) - where are we now?
IPD was the method that was going to transform the construction industry into a model of efficiency and teamwork
6/26/2014
Tools for hand-hygiene observation
Becker's Hospital Review article lists five tools to monitor hand-hygiene compliance
6/26/2014
Retail shapes future in healthcare
To be a success, a healthcare facility needs to put the customer experience first and foremost
6/26/2014
Toronto Birth Centre offers non-hospital option
Project comes from effort to shift to non-acute health services and community-based healthcare centers, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/26/2014
AAMA releases standard lab test method for forces of operable windows and doors for accessibility
6/26/2014
Boston patient dies after delayed window fix
Facility manager of a state psychiatric hospital requested window replacements twice before a patient hurled a chair through a window and jumped
6/25/2014
Utah medical center community garden promotes wellness
Additional construction is planned for the hospital including physicians' offices and administrative space
6/25/2014
Atlanta hospitals address patient safety
Hospital safety specialists borrow high-reliability principles from industries such as nuclear energy and the airlines.
6/25/2014
In a successful project, the answer can be the right questions
Knowing the most relevant mechanical, electrical and plumbing questions can avoid pitfalls
6/25/2014
Austin medical center achieves LEED Silver certification
Austin Energy Green Building gives facility a 3-star rating for sustainability
6/25/2014
White paper tackles increasing noise in healthcare environment
Today's hospitals are twice as noisy as they were 50 years ago, according to the paper
6/25/2014
Sustainability making impact in Middle East healthcare design
Facilities are exploring sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy conservation efficiency, and more, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/25/2014
Builder fined after dementia patient killed by falling door
Heavy fire door fell on patient during renovation work at Alexian Brothers Care Centre in UK
6/24/2014
Hospitals increasingly faced with security issues
Violence by patients themselves is up - typically, mental health patients or the elderly
6/24/2014
What hospitals can learn from airports
Look at healthcare patients like travelers and listen to their point of view as consumers
6/24/2014
Healthcare interior design can inspire confidence and reduce stress
Colors, textures, patterns, artwork and graphics should resonate with patients, families and staff
6/24/2014
Latest NFPA code changed to a risk-based document to reflect how healthcare is delivered
NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code was overhauled and changed from a 'standard' to a 'code'
6/24/2014
Facility professionals should be involved in hospital design
Design groups seldom have anyone working on their teams who's ever had direct responsibility for the day-to-day operations of a physical building, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/24/2014
White paper offered on sustainable pest management
Pest management program can align with sustainability requirements
6/24/2014
New software platform offers comprehensive energy management for buildings and building portfolios
6/24/2014
'Aquarium lights' improve dementia care: study
Therapeutic lamps used in study found at a pet store
6/23/2014
APIC conference showcases infection-control videos
'Today, I Vow' video by Norton Healthcare wins APIC 'Peoples Choice Award'
6/23/2014
Improving patient outcomes and the bottom line with evidence-based design
Butler County Health Care Center in David City, Neb., is improving patient outcomes, saving money and creating a better work environment by employing evidence-based design in new construction and renovation projects
6/23/2014
Ann Arbor-area pumping nearly $100 million into healthcare construction
St. Joseph Mercy Health System is in the middle of three large redevelopment projects, with two of them carrying a price tag of $26 million
6/23/2014
Ann Arbor-area pumping nearly $100 million into healthcare construction
St. Joseph Mercy Health System is in the middle of three large redevelopment projects, with two of them carrying a price tag of $26 million
6/23/2014
Key patient trends shaping emergency department design
Designing an emergency department (ED) is a complex undertaking that can involve changes to not only workflows and processes, but also the physical space in which patients are seen and treated
6/23/2014
Energy dashboard usage can mean significant savings
The ability to see changes in utility usage at a healthcare facility can save thousands of dollars, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/23/2014
Healthcare professionals honored with annual Facility Managers Awards in California
The North Bay Business Journal included many healthcare facility managers in 2014 honorees
6/23/2014
Legrand introduces a broad range of meeting room solutionsdesigned for efficient, aesthetic results
6/23/2014
Dubai hospital expansion part of $816 million plan
Expansion of Rashid Hospital's Trauma and Emergency Centre will add 160 beds and cost $161 million
6/20/2014
Ensuring hospital's fire barrier integrity
Firestopping is the last line of defense for patients within a hospital
6/20/2014
Chickasaw Nation clinic pays homage to culture
Health Facilities Management 'Last Detail' feature looks at design of Chickasaw Nation Health Clinic in Ardmore, Okla.
6/20/2014
Retail is a new driver in healthcare design
Retail thinking suggests more urgency and salesmanship, according to a blog by editor-in-chief, Kristin D. Zeit, on the Healthcare Design website
6/20/2014
Dallas clinic designed to revive community it serves
Facility will consolidate services offered in four separate clinics miles apart from each other
6/20/2014
Ohio's University Hospitals plans ambulatory health center with freestanding ED
Facility will include outpatient laboratory services, physical therapy, primary and specialty care physician services
6/20/2014
Ohio's University Hospitals plans ambulatory health center with freestanding ED
Facility will include outpatient laboratory services, physical therapy, primary and specialty care physician services
6/20/2014
Mississippi healthplex designed for athletes
New $16 million facility follows trend of combining medical offices with fitness and sports facilities
6/19/2014
Western New York VA renovates prosthetics facility
Upgrades include extra patient exam rooms, an expanded waiting room and a drive-up area for staff to bring prosthetics and equipment to the patient's vehicle
6/19/2014
Tradition Medical Center built with collaboration, Lean design
Construction team committed to 'start smart, design smart, build smart' philosophy
6/19/2014
Personal experience illuminates ADA codes
ADA addresses minimum functional requirements but challenges remain, according to a blog on the Healthcare Design website
6/19/2014
Massive Dallas hospital project promotes safety and sanitation
Parkland Hospital will have a network of pneumatic tubes to transport trash and recyclables from strategic collection sites throughout the building to the Dumpsters on the loading dock
6/19/2014
Western Pennsylvania hospital to become medical mall
Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant will offer patients specialty medical offices, diagnostic and testing services, a same-day surgery center, outpatient physical therapy, an expanded emergency department and some inpatient rooms
6/19/2014
Western Pennsylvania hospital to become medical mall
Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant will offer patients specialty medical offices, diagnostic and testing services, a same-day surgery center, outpatient physical therapy, an expanded emergency department and some inpatient rooms
6/19/2014
Long-term care facilities including more amenities
New are existing facilities are are realizing that these features are necessary to remain competitive, according to a blog on the Environments for Aging website
6/19/2014
Herman Miller offers insight and interaction at Design & Health World Congress & Exhibition
6/19/2014
New Zealand hospital reviews safety after attacks on staff
Hundreds of hospital staff have been attacked on the job by patients and visitors, with injuries ranging from minor bruising and shock to broken limbs and black eyes
6/18/2014
Oklahoma hospital designed for severe weather
Modifications to the Tahlequah hospital's existing plans for the $60 million facility enhance its ability to withstand severe weather
6/18/2014
$7.9 billion in healthcare construction planned in Northeast
The projects include 23 hospital/inpatient projects totalling more than 4.5 million square feet with a total value of more than $5 billion
6/18/2014
Involving security in an emergency situation
During an emergency, hospital staff and security must act quickly, and as a team
6/18/2014
N.C.'s Hefner VA Medical Center opens acute psychiatric facility
New $16 million, 79,000-square-foot facility designed with safety in mind and is homier and less institutional
6/18/2014
Texas medical center builds on LEED Platinum certification
Dell Children's Medical Center new tower project pursues more challenging task of pursuing LEED for Healthcare, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/18/2014
New Jersey senior care facility wins landscaping award
Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center wins landscape architecture competition, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website
6/18/2014
Facilities find different solutions to ensure critical power
Two retrofitted their critical power management system and the third built it from scratch
6/18/2014
NAFRA urges Kaiser Permanente to reverse decision that reduces fire safety in healthcare facilities
6/18/2014
Recognizing signs of bedbugs
To look for bedbugs, check for these signs in the places where people sleep
6/17/2014
Infection control best practices for long-term care
In the communal setting, infection control involves environmental cleaning, clinical caregiver and social aspects, according to an article on the Long-term Living website
6/17/2014
Albany hospital finishing $259 million construction project
After more than a decade of construction, St. Peter's Hospital is nearly finished with the renovation of its healthcare facilities
6/17/2014
Indiana care center expanding neighborhood model
Goshen Greencroft senior living center adding second 'Main Street'
6/17/2014
UK hospital trust to launch energy-saving project
Plan would reduce carbon footprint by 30 percent and cut power costs
6/17/2014
Assessing a healthcare facility
An initial discussion of what areas will be covered will help determine the correct approach
6/17/2014
Designing for growing senior care market in China
There are still plenty of unknowns surrounding what type of long-term living model will work, and what the market will look like in the long term, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website
6/17/2014
Urban cancer center garden cultivates tranquility
Healing garden perched on the seventh floor setback of a 14-story building defining feature of the hospital's design, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/17/2014
ES should be included in design decisions
Surface specification and other design issues could benefit from environmental services input
6/16/2014
Hospitals in Hawaii go solar to save money
Honolulu facility expects to save about $101,318 annually on its electricity bill with a solar photovoltaic system
6/16/2014
Mock disaster drills held at Connecticut senior facility
Norwalk facility holds mock disaster drill to test policies and procedures in case of a natural disaster
6/16/2014
$161 million resort-style senior project planned in Minnesota
Plymouth project includes geothermal wells for heating and cooling and other features to earn LEED certification
6/16/2014
Lighting can be designed to mimic night and day
Long-term care facilities can restore a more stable wake/sleep rhythm, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website
6/16/2014
New guidelines help hospitals curb MRSA
Strategy includes implementing a monitoring program and the proper cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environments
6/16/2014
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands adds joint replacement facility
A photo tour of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands is offered on the Healthcare Design magazine website
6/16/2014
New versatile LDN Series LED lLuminaires from Lithonia Lighting redefine affordable downlighting
6/16/2014
Nursing homes in Germany serve 3D-printed food
3D-printed "smoothfood" uses pureed food to create a more appetizing-looking meal for elderly people who have trouble chewing and swallowing
6/13/2014
Video kiosks may cure some healthcare ills
Kiosks can expedite communication and improve customer experience
6/13/2014
Study shows UV cleaning cuts superbugs by 20 percent
Rate of hospital-acquired infections was significantly lower during the 22 months of UVD use compared with the previous 30 months
6/13/2014
Visitor spaces ripe for innovation
Facilities are rethinking visitor amenities as family's role in patient care is acknowledged, according to a blog on the Healthcare Design website
6/13/2014
Collaboration model may control spread of C. diff
Study says multi-hospital collaboration can help control infection
6/13/2014
Benchmarking cooling water systems
Strategies should address economic, environmental and social benefits
6/13/2014
AHF culinary competition winners named
Teams were judged on organization, time management, culinary skills, originality, taste and plate presentation
6/13/2014
Delaware children's hospital expansion designed with patient input
Healthcare Design magazine offers first look at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children project
6/12/2014
Delaware children's hospital expansion designed with patient input
Healthcare Design magazine offers first look at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children project
6/12/2014
N.C. medical facility designed to enhance patience convenience
Carolinas HealthCare System Lincoln County facility stresses privacy and reduced appointment wait times
6/12/2014
Medical-grade wireless becoming a facility standard
Wireless connectivity a basic healthcare utility, like power, HVAC and water
6/12/2014
UCSF Medical Center's room service program delivers restaurant-style food
Patients can choose from menu items available at the various restaurant-style concepts in the center's retail cafes
6/12/2014
ER's cosmetic upgrades reflect culture change
Pennsylvania hospital pledges that emergency patients will see a healthcare providers within 30 minutes
6/12/2014
New Hampshire hospitals take part in pandemic exercise
Strafford County facilities join local agencies, schools in setting up alternate care site during emergency
6/12/2014
Better oversight of Alberta care facilities urged
A new report by the Health Quality Council of Alberta says Alberta Health Services needs to decide who is responsible
6/12/2014
Baltimore hospital's K-9 unit helps cut security incidents
Two dogs were added to the Union Memorial Hospital staff in the spring
6/11/2014
Smart design can help keep patients safe
University Medical Center project's goals included reducing the number of errors, falls and infections at the facility and improving patient outcomes
6/11/2014
MaineGeneral hospital project succeeds with IPD strategy
Largest project in MaineGeneral Health's history was executed with an integrated project delivery (IPD) contract, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/11/2014
Louisiana hospital sanitizes with UV light
West Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital in Sulphur is using UV technology to disinfect its facilities
6/11/2014
South Carolina hospital plans new main entrance
Spartanburg Medical Center wil also build a new patient wing and demolish a historic section of the hospital
6/11/2014
Healthcare addressing longstanding environmental challenges
Facilities have found they can reconfigure operating rooms without compromising patient or staff safety
6/11/2014
Hand-washing goals key to Maryland CMS waiver
In state's acute care hospitals, health professionals have been washing their hands at least 90 percent of the time over the last six months, study shows
6/11/2014
Hospital raises bar on food service with intensive training
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital increases profits with new menu, trained staff
6/11/2014
Poor communication cited in Wisconsin hospital shooting
Shooting resulted in a lockdown at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
6/10/2014
Largest U.S. health system will stop buying flame-retardant furniture
Kaiser Permanente will stop buying furniture treated with the chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive disorders and brain damage
6/10/2014
Texas theater to be converted to health facility
Pecos County Memorial Hospital expanding into movie theater
6/10/2014
Integrating research into healthcare design
Article on the Healthcare Design website details six steps to create a culture of research in the design process
6/10/2014
South Korean hospital examined for safety lapses after fatal fire
A fire killed 21 and injured eight at a private hospital for chronically ill patients
6/10/2014
North Carolina hospital launches 'Dinner-to-Go' program for employees, community
Transylvania Regional Hospital aims for great food not great hospital food, with emphasis on nutrition, local sourcing
6/10/2014
Greening your healthcare facility
Developing waste reduction strategies is a good place to start
6/10/2014
'Cultural guide' urged for hospital staffs
Guidelines on the religious and cultural needs of patients urged
6/9/2014
Integrating research into healthcare design
Many design firms are instilling a culture of research and a commitment to metrics that matter, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/9/2014
Healthcare foodservice gets creative
Industry was poised for a change regardless of what happened on the political landscape
6/9/2014
Hospital infection control: reducing airborne pathogens
Source and pathway management should involve airborne transmission and especially enhanced methods of its control even though the primary route is considered to be direct contact
6/9/2014
N.Y. health facility geared toward men
Tisch Center designed to be a welcoming place for men to get comprehensive healthcare
6/9/2014
Healthcare facility of the future not a hospital
Survey says most of the future projects are ambulatory clinics
6/9/2014
West Virginia hospital holds decontamination drill
Preston Memorial Hospital uses community volunteers to set up temporary facility
6/9/2014
How will the medical home affect hospitals?
Not all care can occur outside the hospital but the medical home is an environment in which patients can feel more secure
6/9/2014
The Carpet and Rug Institute and Carpet Cushion Council unveil green label plus for carpet cushion
6/9/2014
HHS releases new data and tools to increase transparency on hospital utilization and other trends
6/9/2014
Hospital system security will be allowed to make arrests on public property
Police working for University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland, Ohio, soon will be able to make misdemeanor arrests, enforce traffic laws and ticket illegally parked cars
6/6/2014
Toronto hospital gets infrastructure upgrade through energy contract
Improved patient care, cost savings and environmental sustainability drive hospital-renewal plan
6/6/2014
When healthcare design innovation becomes common, what's next?
Healthcare Design magazine's managing editor, Jennifer Kovacs Silvis, discusses the results of the magazine's annual Design Showcase judging
6/6/2014
UConn facility designed for patient-centered care
Health center constructing state-of-the art, $203 million outpatient pavilion
6/6/2014
Wood chair rail Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about wood chair rails in a dining room
6/6/2014
Bay Area's new healthcare buildings smaller, specialized facilities
Driving much of the activity is a state law requiring hospitals to upgrade or replace their buildings to be structurally sound enough to withstand earthquakes
6/6/2014
Security reviewed after newborn abduction
The abduction of a day-old baby from a Quebec hospital has raised questions about hospitals' security measures
6/5/2014
Call for portable bed rail ban renewed after deaths
A long-term care consumer watchdog group has renewed its call for a permanent ban of adult portable bed rails in long-term care settings
6/5/2014
Mobile hospital becomes temporary medical center
National Mobile Disaster Hospital (MDH) from North Carolina opens in tornado-ravaged Louisville, Miss.
6/5/2014
Healthcare facility's food service expands to food truck
Lynchburg, Va., health system launches mobile kitchen as part of its food service transformation
6/5/2014
Savannah area sees urgent care growth
Perfect healthcare storm has created a boon for the urgent care industry: a shortage of primary care physicians, overstretched emergency rooms and newly insured patients
6/5/2014
Construction mistake leads to loss of medical documents
Hundreds of confidential patient documents were put in a Dumpster during a construction project at Kansas City's Midwest Women's Healthcare
6/5/2014
Mega healthcare projects still exist - mostly overseas
A blog by Sheila Cahnman on the Healthcare Design website says that the largest healthcare projects are overseas and top out at more than 1,000 beds and 1 million square feet
6/5/2014
Deadly infections at 'med spa' tied to poor practices
Outbreaks of strep infections at East Coast weight loss clinics linked to staffs' poor infection control practices
6/5/2014
UK man dies after being trapped in hospital doors
Inquest will review the death of an elderly man who was trapped in the revolving doors at South Tyneside District Hospital
6/4/2014
Design can make a difference in patient experience
Enhancing the patient experience has become a priority since the CMS began linking reimbursements to patient surveys, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
6/4/2014
Dayton hospital considers redesign to meet changing needs
Redesign would improve care, efficiency and patient privacy
6/4/2014
New technology improves hospital emergency communication
Emergency managers have access to communication tools that make sure that the right people get the right message
6/4/2014
Prefabricated headwalls offer option for change
Prefabricated headwalls in patient spaces can adjust with changing care needs, trends
6/4/2014
Healthcare facilities use smart technologies to control costs
Healthcare system adds 1 million square feet of research hospital space and a new central utility plant as part of its expansion plan
6/4/2014
Convenience, reform driving ER construction wave
Hospital systems are building new, freestanding emergency departments and upgrading and expanding those attached to hospitals
6/4/2014
Manhattan hospitals partner for disaster drill
Lenox Hill Hospital, New York-Presbyterian practice decontamination, test patient-tracking system
6/4/2014
Healthcare launderers call for higher standards
Deaths from a fungal outbreak at Children's Hospital in New Orleans has prompted national leaders in the healthcare laundry industry to review standards for handling hospital linens
6/3/2014
Canadian hospital test drives new emergency plan
Ottawa Hospital builds new links to police, fire, ambulance, city services and the Red Cross, while putting in place a new emergency management system
6/3/2014
Irish care homes criticized for 'shared gender' facilities
Females and males with intellectual disabilities had to share cubicles in three residential homes
6/3/2014
Wisconsin hospital proactive on safety
Mercy Hospital in Devil's Lake offers safety seminars for staff
6/3/2014
Antimicrobial coatings and equipment advancing infection control
As technology plays a greater part in healthcare, more attention is being paid to how device surfaces and materials behave in terms of harboring micro-organisms
6/3/2014
More hospitals using antibiotic-free meat
Facilities face the reality that reduced-antibiotic meat and poultry products are more expensive and finding vendors with an adequate supply is a challenge
6/3/2014
What we can learn from innovative healthcare shops
It's not about the size or use of the real estate, but where it is located and the theory behind it's placement
6/3/2014
Study says ultraviolet cleaning reduces superbugs 20 percent
Multidrug-resistant organisms were decreased after adding ultraviolet environmental disinfection to a hospital's cleaning regimen
6/3/2014
Seattle medical center security staff to carry Tasers
Security officers at the Swedish Medical Center will be the first in the city to be armed with Tasers
6/2/2014
Tupelo hospital laundry on constant alert
North Mississippi Medical Center's laundry treats everything like it's potentially infectious
6/2/2014
MaineGeneral hospital first in state awarded LEED gold
August facility paid special attention to using recycle-based materials and materials sourced within a 500-mile radius
6/2/2014
Adelante chief honored as healthcare facility 'Changemaker'
The Center for Health Design gives Changemaker Award to honor the exceptional ability to change the way healthcare facilities are designed and built
6/2/2014
Cabling infrastructure supports sustainability
A well-planned and -designed infrastructure includes energy management, is aesthetically pleasing and contributes to efficient construction
6/2/2014
Creating a patient-centered hospital of the future
Thoughtful design incorporates patient, staff and community needs
6/2/2014
MRSA study recognized by APIC
The study examined the survivability of a MRSA strain on razors, plastic toys, ceramic, soap, wood, vinyl, towels, bed sheets and shoulder pads
6/2/2014
Portsmouth hospital practices for disasters
Portsmouth Regional Hospital staffers train at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Center for Domestic Preparedness
6/2/2014