Trending News - March 2013
ACHC offers workshops on healthcare accreditation process
The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is offering workshops in April and May for those interested in obtaining and maintaining ACHC accreditation.
3/28/2013
ACHC offers workshops on healthcare accreditation process
The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is offering workshops in April and May for those interested in obtaining and maintaining ACHC accreditation.
3/28/2013
White paper examines accountable design in healthcare industry
A recently published white paper examines whether the design industry should also be held accountable for health outcomes under The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
3/28/2013
LED light bulbs recalled by Lighting Science Group
Sold under the brand names Definity, EcoSmart, Sylvania and Westinghouse, Lighting Science Group has recalled about 554,000 120-volt LED bulbs due to risk of overheating.
3/27/2013
Environmental services instrumental in combating C. diff in hospital
Environmental cleaning practices were the most significant factor in cutting a Cincinnati hospital's Clostridium difficile (C. diff) incidence rate in half over six months.
3/27/2013
Elderly-focused design a growing consideration in acute-care facilities
Due to an aging population and the influence of the Affordable Care Act, acute-care facilities have to accommodate elder patients in their design decisions. Experts highlight some of the design considerations.
3/27/2013
Hospital expansion showcases BIM and integrated project delivery
The new cancer center being built at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center is a good example of how to use building information modeling and virtual design and construction (BIM/VDC) to successfully deliver an integrated project.
3/26/2013
Nashville hospital announces multi-year renovation
Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., has launched a $110 million multi-year modernization project of existing space and construction of a new inpatient tower.
3/26/2013
Loma Linda University Medical Center opens new women's cancer center
Loma Linda (Calif.) University Medical Center opened a new Women's Cancer and Surgical Oncology Center on March 21, bringing gynecology and surgical oncologists together with medical and radiation oncologists under one holistic, tech-savvy roof.
3/26/2013
Public spaces in healthcare can have a big impact if properly designed
Rather than designed as afterthoughts, the public spaces in healthcare facilities should be identified and designed to function according to their specific typology.
3/25/2013
Mississippi hospital announces HIPAA breach
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) officials have announced a HIPAA breach at the hospital caused by a missing laptop computer.
3/25/2013
Mississippi hospital announces HIPAA breach
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) officials have announced a HIPAA breach at the hospital caused by a missing laptop computer.
3/25/2013
American Hospital Association to move into new space in D.C.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has signed a lease at the mixed-use CityCenterDC development in downtown Washington, D.C. The AHA will occupy approximately 42,000 square feet when it moves into its new space in September 2014.
3/22/2013
Healthcare association offers review of EVS training programs
Educational institutions, consultants and healthcare organizations with their own in-house training can submit training and educational materials to the AHE for review to earn the Seal of Review and Recognition.
3/22/2013
AHE Exchange 2013
Exchange 2013, the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) annual conference will be held Sept. 15-18 in Indianapolis.
3/22/2013
Power strip is suitable for patient care areas
Legrand ULM Series Medical Grade Plug-in Outlet Center provides surge protection for medical applications and can be used in patient care areas in compliance with Article 517 of the National Electrical Code.
3/21/2013
Private equity firms see profit in growing trend of urgent care clinics
Private equity firms are funding the ongoing expansion of medical walk-in clinics across the U.S., and with profits expected to grow with healthcare reform, there is no end in sight.
3/21/2013
Hospitals should consider costs, benefits of in-house laundry versus alternatives
Maintaining an on-premises laundry facility can be a costly decision for hospitals. Some situations warrant this cost, but available options in high-volume laundry arrangements means environmental services managers should carefully weigh the costs and benefits of each.
3/20/2013
Training webinar offered on HIPAA risk analysis
Compliance Online will host a HIPAA risk analysis webinar on March 28 at 1 p.m. Eastern.
3/20/2013
Facilities team plays role in ambulatory surgery center joint venture deliberations
The facilities department can provide important strategic information that should be considered prior to a hospital embarking on an ambulatory surgery center joint venture.
3/20/2013
Facilities team plays role in ambulatory surgery center joint venture deliberations
The facilities department can provide important strategic information that should be considered prior to a hospital embarking on an ambulatory surgery center joint venture.
3/20/2013
Training webinar offered on HIPAA risk analysis
Compliance Online will host a HIPAA risk analysis webinar on March 28 at 1 p.m. Eastern.
3/20/2013
New HIPAA regulations include vendors as responsible parties
New Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, which expand the scope of responsible parties to include vendors who contract with healthcare companies, are set to take effect on March 26.
3/19/2013
Extending deadline for nursing home sprinklers open for comment
A proposed deadline extension for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) requirement that all nursing home facilities have automatic sprinkler systems by August 13 is open for comment.
3/19/2013
Extending deadline for nursing home sprinklers open for comment
A proposed deadline extension for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) requirement that all nursing home facilities have automatic sprinkler systems by August 13 is open for comment.
3/19/2013
Ceiling panels designed to withstand high–traffic healthcare settings
CertainTeedCeilings' new line of Performa Rx Symphony ceiling panels are designed to meet performance guidelines set by The Facilities Guidelines Institute's "Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities" (2010 Edition).
3/19/2013
Medical device integration with electronic health records is not plug and play
Integrating medical devices with electronic health records in order to facilitate meaningful use is possible, but requires facilities to consider how to support increased connectivity requirements.
3/18/2013
BIM aids early completion of children's hospital
Construction has been completed early on the new seven-story patient care tower at Children's Hospital of Orange County due, in part, to the use of BIM technology.
3/18/2013
More than 8,000 hospital safety violations now publicly searchable
A searchable database of federal safety rule violations at about 1,000 hospitals since 2011 is now available.
3/18/2013
More than 8,000 hospital safety violations now publicly searchable
A searchable database of federal safety rule violations at about 1,000 hospitals since 2011 is now available.
3/18/2013
Experts debate effectiveness of antibacterial soap on infection prevention
While experts agree hand washing is an important tool to stop the spread of infection, there is some debate over what type of soap is most effective for consumers and healthcare professionals alike.
3/15/2013
Case study: Floorazzo tiles decrease operating room sterilization time between procedures
Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., had to replace the flooring in its operating rooms four times in four years due to the impracticality of the homogeneous sheet vinyl product being used. The solution was Floorazzo, a resilient flooring product.
3/15/2013
Center for Health Design presents master webinar series
The Center for Health Design presents the ICONS and Innovators master webinar series through September with trending design topics covered by thought leaders in healthcare design.
3/14/2013
Center for Health Design presents master webinar series
The Center for Health Design presents the ICONS and Innovators master webinar series through September with trending design topics covered by thought leaders in healthcare design.
3/14/2013
Pre-incident planning at facilities aids first responders in emergency
Understanding what is front of mind for first responders can help facility managers better prepare for what will happen in the event of an emergency.
3/14/2013
Fire alarm systems can provide emergency control function of non-fire alarm systems
Though the code language might be tricky to decipher, fire code does allow fire alarm systems to interface with non-fire alarm systems in order to provide emergency control function.
3/13/2013
ASHE offers course in healthcare facility commissioning
The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) is offering a two-day course designed to specifically address the commissioning process in healthcare facilities.
3/13/2013
ASHE offers course in healthcare facility commissioning
The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) is offering a two-day course designed to specifically address the commissioning process in healthcare facilities.
3/13/2013
New line of door hardware addresses needs of behavioral health centers
Assa Abloy presents a new line of door hardware to address the specific needs of high-, medium- and low-risk behavioral health environments.
3/13/2013
ASHE offers course in healthcare facility commissioning
The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) is offering a two-day course designed to specifically address the commissioning process in healthcare facilities.
3/13/2013
ASHE offers course in healthcare facility commissioning
The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) is offering a two-day course designed to specifically address the commissioning process in healthcare facilities.
3/13/2013
World Congress 2nd Annual Leadership Summit On Mergers & Acquisitions in Health Care
The World Congress 2nd Annual Leadership Summit On Mergers & Acquisitions in Health Care allows decision makers from within the healthcare system to meet with leaders in finance to discuss deal trends and new business opportunities in the healthcare sector.
3/11/2013
National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems 2013 annual conference
The National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems 2013 annual conference will be held June 19-21 in Hollywood, Fla.
3/11/2013
Ten steps for designing beyond minimum ADA compliance standards in hospitals
During construction or significant renovation, healthcare facility managers can play a role in ensuring the facility will not only meet minimum ADA design requirements but also will meet the practical usage needs of patients and staff.
3/8/2013
Green Seal releases new laundry standard for industrial and institutional products
A new Green Seal standard for institutional and industrial laundry products addresses their life cycle impacts.
3/8/2013
IT is key to managing healthcare costs, says former president
Speaking March 6 at the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) convention in New Orleans, former President Bill Clinton suggested information technology could be the key to controlling rising healthcare costs.
3/8/2013
IT is key to managing healthcare costs, says former president
Speaking March 6 at the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) convention in New Orleans, former President Bill Clinton suggested information technology could be the key to controlling rising healthcare costs.
3/8/2013
Advancements in chiller systems lead to energy efficiency in healthcare facilities
Numerous technological advances in chillers allow healthcare occupancies to reap significant energy efficiency gains during new construction or significant retrofits.
3/7/2013
Healthcare food service company vows to improve patient nutrition
Morrison Healthcare Food Services today announced further company commitments to better nutrition at the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) 2013 Building a Healthier Future Summit.
3/7/2013
Advancements in chiller systems lead to energy efficiency in healthcare facilities
Numerous technological advances in chillers allow healthcare occupancies to reap significant energy efficiency gains during new construction or significant retrofits.
3/7/2013