- October 2018
A dozen real haunted hospitals
Article details spooky legends of the scariest healthcare facilities
10/31/2018
N.J. gives quick infection control training to three other facilities after deaths of 9 children
The education and training campaign on infection prevention and control practices targets the state’s other pediatric specialty hospitals
10/31/2018
Does the cost of hospital accreditation boost patient outcomes?
Study says hospital accreditation is not associated with lower mortality
10/31/2018
N.J. facility where 9 children died from virus outbreak cited for deficiencies
The longterm care facility in Wanaque has been cited for infection control lapses in recent years
10/30/2018
Protecting healthcare IoT devices
Every healthcare IoT device from insulin pumps and diagnostic equipment to Remote Patient Monitoring is a potential target
10/30/2018
Hospitals seeing continued flow of patients from outside the area hit hard by hurricane
Northeast Florida hospitals say their facilities withstood the storm and now are serving more patients
10/30/2018
Do you have enough cardio suites for your structural heart and endovascular program?
Here are key contextual and analytical considerations as well as eight keys to decisively optimize strategy, planning and right sizing for structural heart program and endovascular facilities
10/30/2018
Should the Hippocratic Oath extend to protecting patient data?
One line in the modern version of the Oath stands out: 'I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know'
10/30/2018
Deer leaves a mess after jumping through N.C. healthcare facility window
A disoriented 8-point buck burst through the window of a Gastonia assisted living facility
10/29/2018
C diff. transmitted through non-critical items
Report says proper disinfection of tools is crucial
10/29/2018
Water scarcity makes case for conservation efforts
Access to potable water is a business continuity issue, but not enough organizations are prioritizing it
10/29/2018
Hospitals not confident about sustaining preparedness for outbreaks
Ninety-five percent of hospital administrators say other priorities reduce their ability to focus
10/29/2018
Woman assaulted twice inside Tacoma hospital
Tacoma General moved her to another wing after the first assault
10/29/2018
Tips to prevent infection and keep healthcare facilities clean
A flu outbreak among senior residents can lead to serious health complications and potentially life-threatening conditions
10/29/2018
7 children dead in virus outbreak at New Jersey healthcare facility
More are ill as a result of adenovirus at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell
10/26/2018
Emergency department has role in climate change
ERs can tribute to climate change mitigation and must prepare to respond to effects
10/26/2018
Palos Health and Loyola University Medical Center designed to encouraged a feeling of intimacy
Access to natural daylight and visibility to nature were key design concepts
10/26/2018
Sunshine may kill bacteria in dust
Dust kept in the dark contained organisms closely linked to some respiratory diseases
10/26/2018
Health officials monitoring flu season
There are signs the current flu season will not be as widespread or deadly as last year
10/26/2018
C. diff. outbreaks linked to hospital linens
Study offers possible source for Clostridium difficile outbreaks
10/26/2018
WHO expects Congo's Ebola outbreak to worsen without increased response
It still does not yet constitute an international public health emergency
10/25/2018
Houston healthcare facility focusing on security issues
Ben Taub Hospital has had multiple acts of violence in recent years
10/25/2018
D.C. healthcare facility waiting room wins Generative Space Award
The Unity Health Care waiting room redesign project honored for involving community in design process
10/25/2018
Montana hospital implements facility-wide infection-control strategy
New disinfection toolkit for environmental services and bleach-based protocol fight C. difficile
10/25/2018
Simple fixes for thermal comfort
Some thermal comfort issues can be addressed with simple fixes, while others require more time and investment. Here's what you need to know.
10/25/2018
Disinfectant selection is essential for effective cleaning
Adherence to the manufacturer’s label instructions is also key
10/25/2018
WEDI Honors Health IT Industry Leaders at the WEDI National Conference through Annual Awards
10/25/2018
Diarrhea spores can survive hospital laundering's high temperatures
Washing bedsheets in a commercial washing machine with industrial detergent at high disinfecting temperatures failed to remove all traces of C. diff.
10/24/2018
Hospitals design can affect patient outcomes
Architects and healthcare organizations are incorporating principles of social design into the built environment
10/24/2018
N.Y. hospital rehabs pediatric activity room
Hospital for Special Surgery, an academic medical center tackled the renovation guided by a list of improvements requested by the staff, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/24/2018
Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Portable fire extinguishers
Brad Keyes discusses regulations for portable fire extinguishers
10/24/2018
HealthPartners Neuroscience Center designed to bring light indoors
Part of HealthPartners 'intentional design' was to allow for natural sunlight throughout the four-story, 130,000–square-foot building
10/24/2018
Music's power to improve waiting room experience studied
Naval pilots concept uses music and nature to soothe
10/24/2018
International Parking Institute Changes Name to International Parking & Mobility Institute
10/24/2018
2019 AHR Expo Education Program offers first-look at what’s ahead for HVACR in the coming year
10/24/2018
Tariffs may slow healthcare construction
On Sept. 24, the Trump administration placed a 10 percent tariff, amounting to $200 billion, on 5,745 items from China, including concrete and lumber
10/23/2018
Overcrowding at Bronx hospital E.R. leaves patient stuck in hallways
Montefiore Medical Center staff bracing for flu season
10/23/2018
Prefabrication meets needs to quickly changing healthcare market
Prefab components have allowed healthcare facilities to be built faster and more efficiently
10/23/2018
Cybersecurity still possible on a tight budget
A good information security plan can be affordable
10/23/2018
Leapfrog to rate hospital outpatient settings, ASCs
Leapfrog will collect data on ambulatory surgery centers with a voluntary survey
10/23/2018
Mercom Capital Group: Global Digital Health VC Funding in 9M 2018 Reaches Record $8 Billion
10/23/2018
California law gives healthcare laundries more flexibility
The legislation will allow healthcare laundries to use lower wash temperatures and shorten the wash time
10/22/2018
Healthcare construction projects come with safety concerns
When hiring a construction company to build out any healthcare facility, it should be of the utmost importance to hire an organization that cares for the safety of their employees while on site
10/22/2018
Video surveillance can boost healthcare facility security
A network video system offers a wide range of possibilities to make a hospital less attractive for break-ins and robberies
10/22/2018
Architectural finishes can enhance patient satisfaction
HealthPartners Regions Hospital needed a solution for refurbishing patient care units in a cost-effective and expeditious way
10/22/2018
Quad Cities nursing home facing deadline to fix sewage leaks
Pleasant Valley facing state deadline to repair ongoing leaks from its wastewater treatment facility
10/22/2018
Indiana Hospital boosts power capacity
Terre Haute Regional Hospital invested in additional power capacity needs and emergency backup redundancy
10/22/2018
Legionella plan is not the same as a water management plan
State and accreditation inspectors know the difference, even though it may be slight, they can issue a violation for the mistaken identity
10/19/2018
WHO expects Congo's Ebola outbreak to last at least 3-4 months
The outbreak has caused 194 cases and 122 deaths
10/19/2018
Rural hospitals step up during hurricane
Two hospitals provided care within damaged facilities
10/19/2018
Front-line healthcare workers link violence to growing meth crisis
Violent incidents at the Health Sciences Centre has already doubled the number for all of last year
10/19/2018
Exhibit looks at more than 100 years of design and wellness
New show at London’s healthcare-focused gallery, the Wellcome Collection, chronicles the history of the built environment and wellbeing
10/19/2018
Exhibit looks at more than 100 years of design and wellness
New show at London’s healthcare-focused gallery, the Wellcome Collection, chronicles the history of the built environment and wellbeing
10/19/2018
The contradiction of healthcare facility noise
The activities and systems that are necessary to deliver care and protect patients are the same that produce the noises that disturb patients and obstruct optimal outcomes
10/19/2018
2019 Halyard Sterile Processing Department Centers of Excellence Recognition: Call For Entries Open
10/19/2018
Hurricane forced Florida hospitals to shut down
Storm damaged roofs, buckled walls and shattered windows
10/18/2018
Art installation designed to bring life, color to Austin AIDS clinic
Clinic features the work of a number of Austin-based artists
10/18/2018
'How’s my hospital running today?' The importance of building analytics
Without seeing the real-time numbers of a hospital, it’s difficult to manage fully
10/18/2018
N.J. hospital's violence prevention program focuses on diffusing situations
RWJ University Hospital Hamilton has decreased the need for security interventions by 42 percent
10/18/2018
Mosaics used to decrease anxiety in Maryland cancer center
Design of John H. 'Jack' Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center focused on enhancing and humanizing the healthcare experience.
10/18/2018
Bear Valley Community Hospital Chooses Zingbox to Keep Their Connected Medical Devices Safe
10/18/2018
Ebola cases in Congo more than doubled since September
There were 33 new cases between Oct. 1 and Oct. 9, compared to 41 cases during all of September
10/17/2018
Florida healthcare facilities evacuated all of their 330 patients due to storm damage
Both hospitals kept their emergency rooms open
10/17/2018
VA hospitals boiler upgrades save money and energy
More than 1,200 Veterans Administration medical centers and outpatient sites across the country are upgrading or replacing a boiler system
10/17/2018
Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Clinical needs locks
Brad Keyes discusses regulations for clinical needs locks
10/17/2018
The power needed to deliver quality healthcare
Along with life safety backup power needs, Hendricks Regional Health wanted a backup system that would support air-conditioning for the entire hospital facility
10/17/2018
Flooring supports warehouse transformation to orthodontics practices
Practices would be interconnected, but each with separate reception areas
10/17/2018
When hurricane hit, most long-term care facilities hadn’t finished backup power plans
More than half of the 412 Florida assisted-living facilities and nursing homes have yet to implement their emergency power plans
10/16/2018
Assisted care facilities are upgrading emergency/backup power systems to ensure safety and comfort
All assisted care, nursing homes, and medical facilities must meet the backup/ emergency power codes of NFPA 110 and NEC 700
10/16/2018
RTLS tags: Security friend or infection-prevention foe?
Infection-control guidance from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology includes disinfecting or replacing items such as lanyards, identification tags, cellphones and pagers if they come into contact with patients.
10/16/2018
Colorado State University Health and Medical Center Medical Services Building
This project includes Vista stainless and glass railing on spiral staircase and overlooks, and Point-supported glass smoke baffle
10/16/2018
Study finds hospital sink traps may harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria
CPE outbreaks are mostly attributed to patient-to-patient transmission via healthcare workers
10/16/2018
Green roofs support greener buildings
The choice of a green or vegetative roof can have multiple financial benefits for the building
10/16/2018
LyondellBasell Advances the Storage of Medicine and Healthcare Articles at Low Temperatures
10/16/2018
Cleaning curbs therapy dogs' MRSA risk
The risk of infection is greater for people whose immune system is weakened
10/15/2018
Smart lighting strategies for safe, smart healthcare facilities
Implementing more advanced lighting can give healthcare facilities the ability to create a smarter and safer building while improving the patient experience
10/15/2018
Access control: Strategies and tactics for successful upgrades
Effective upgrades of door hardware and security technology requires understanding options and making smart specification decisions
10/15/2018
Colorado hospital building boom leads to empty beds and higher profits
State's hospitals raised prices by 76 percent over a seven-year period
10/15/2018
Healthcare facility certification can help career advancement
The Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker program doesn’t require years of experience or in-depth expertise
10/15/2018
Washington hospitals seeing increased level of violence
The increase coincides with a spike in the rate of patients who, after being charged with crimes, were found not competent to stand trial
10/15/2018
Chicago nursing home security catches 'ghost' on CCTV
Guard posts footage on Facebook, where it has racked up more than 2.5 million views
10/12/2018
How healthcare facilities can stop cyber-criminals
Healthcare data breaches are in the consumer collective consciousness and organizations are more aware of the issue
10/12/2018
Planning solar power canopies in parking areas
Solar canopies can reduce winter maintenance and give parking areas a distinctive presence
10/12/2018
Laundry staff cuts leads to facility towel shortage
Cuts at Aussie facility leads to residents being dried with hand towels
10/12/2018
Resistance to Ebola treatment remains in the Congo
Current outbreak has a higher reported number of cases than the previous outbreak, with 150 cases reported as of September 28
10/11/2018
UK project will use industry waste heat to warm hospital
The waste energy will be piped to the hospital and other public buildings
10/11/2018
Kaiser Permanente, union reaches tentative agreement
The negotiations were among the largest private-sector contract talks in the United States this year
10/11/2018
Wood ceilings reinforce connection to nature at South Florida Cancer Center
Linear design serves as wayfinding tool for patients and families
10/11/2018
National Infection Control Week: A Week to celebrate healthcare staff and promote hygiene compliance
Healthcare professionals believe technology can play an important role in hygiene compliance and infection control
10/11/2018
Buildings addressing climate change
An increase in extreme weather and lack of federal action make the times seem dark. But facility managers are leading the charge against climate change.
10/11/2018
TeleHealth Services Interactive Patient Education Helps Hospitals Address National Opioid Crisis
10/11/2018
Hackers, mattresses among top ECRI health tech hazards
The threat of hackers targeting remote access to healthcare systems as named the most pressing issue
10/10/2018
ES department uses simulation program to polish skills
Advocate sets training program in 8,000-square-foot facility
10/10/2018
The value of daylighting, even with LEDs
Even when LEDs mimic sunlight, expert see LEDs as complementary to — but not replacing — daylighting strategies
10/10/2018
Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Sprinkler obstructions
Brad Keyes discusses regulations for vertical clear space
10/10/2018
Developing a successful ASC infection control program
Specific procedures like sterile processing for instrument care should be in place
10/10/2018
Rinnai Leads Industry With Comprehensive BIM Offering for Architects, Engineers and Contractors
10/10/2018
How healthcare facilities earn LEED certification
LEED-certified facilities have been designed to reduce toxic exposures to occupants and the environment
10/9/2018
Report says 47 percent of emergency doctors have been assaulted at work
Seventy-one percent said they had witnessed the assault of a colleague
10/9/2018
UPMC plans three Pittsburgh specialty hospitals
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will invest $2 billion in the projects
10/9/2018
Bomb hoax leads to evacuation of Australian hospital
A total of 36 people were evacuated from the hospital, seven of them in surgery and one anesthetized who had to be woken up
10/9/2018
Designing for LTC patients under 65
According to the 2015 data, in 2014 15.5 percent of long-term care patients were under 65, up from 10 percent in 1998
10/9/2018
InstaMed-DocuTAP Partnership Improves the Patient and Provider Experience for Urgent Care Centers
10/9/2018
Johnson Controls has launched the fourth episode in its podcast series “Building Connections.”
10/9/2018
Printers can be cybersecurity risk
Printers are servers that are open and available to be physically accessed by anyone
10/8/2018
Nurses share stories of abuse on the job
Over the last 10 years there has been an 110 percent increase of violence against nurses
10/8/2018
Coney Island Hospital plans $738M storm-resistant renovation
The hospital will renovate its main building, which was built in 1954, and demolish an older building damaged by Superstorm Sandy
10/8/2018
Canadian hospital security guards facing increased violence due to meth crisis
Union invites health minister to sit in an emergency room to see dangerous situations
10/8/2018
Poor air quality prompts hospital to warn of infection risk
The issue involved a failure to maintain adequate positive air pressure in three operating rooms and two labor and delivery suites
10/8/2018
N.Y. hospital energy update could reduce annual costs by $220,000
The upgrade is expected to reduce the hospital's heating and air conditioning energy use by 50 percent
10/8/2018
Improve patient care and healthcare operations with systems integration
A connected ecosystem of building systems in healthcare facilities offers benefits ranging from predictive maintenance to patient safety
10/5/2018
Internet of Things makes greener, smarter buildings
Delivering a high ROI by uncovering unseen opportunities in HVAC, energy loads, lighting, water, and renewables, the IoT is an essential part of any smart, green building
10/5/2018
Florida health system defends handling of patients' rape allegations
A federal judge in Florida has ordered Fort Myers–based Lee Memorial Health System to surrender records related to allegations
10/5/2018
Monitoring HVAC levels in sterile processing areas
HVAC must be addressed in compliance with current standards
10/5/2018
How are lighting systems best integrated with other systems?
What are the best practices – and potential challenges?
10/5/2018
Larson Electronics LLC Releases Hazardous Area LED Inspection Light with 50 Foot Manual Crank Reel
10/5/2018
Safety risks increase for health workers in Congo Ebola outbreak
Researchers tested 10 freshly laundered privacy curtains
10/4/2018
How your healthcare facility’s design can attract patients and build loyalty
A well-designed, aesthetically pleasing facility is essential to attract and maintain patients
10/4/2018
Employees believe tech can improve hygiene compliance
Healthcare professionals said it’s important for facilities to use tech such as hand-hygiene monitoring systems
10/4/2018
Study finds hospital privacy curtains harbor MRSA
Researchers tested 10 freshly laundered privacy curtains
10/4/2018
CMS focus on Legionella means its time to review water management plan
A good water management plan begins with the facilities management team
10/4/2018
Healthcare facilities looking at new ways to reduce noise
Hospital noise is a growing concern for patients, family and staff
10/4/2018
Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Delayed egress locks
Brad Keyes discusses regulations for delayed egress locks
10/3/2018
Art installation designed to bring life, color to Austin AIDS clinic
Clinic features the work a number of Austin-based artists
10/3/2018
Integrated Project Delivery is more than an integrated team approach
A true Integrated Project Delivery project requires all parties to solve problems together throughout the life of the project, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/3/2018
How to improve workflow in the critical care unit
Other top issues included data and analytics, total consumer health, population health services, value-based payments and the digital healthcare organization
10/3/2018
Cybersecurity called key 2019 challenge for healthcare executives
Other top issues included data and analytics, total consumer health, population health services, value-based payments and the digital healthcare organization
10/3/2018
Study looks at impact of noise-reducing curtain in healthcare facilities
Research also examined the practical implications of adopting the enhanced curtains, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
10/3/2018
S.C. opens special shelter, evacuates hospital inpatient services ahead of flooding
ER services at evacuated Tidelands Georgetown Memorial continued
10/2/2018
University of Utah Hospital campus getting renovation
New Ambulatory Care Complex will be a 305,000-square-foot facility that will serve more than 100,000 new patients each year
10/2/2018
Reassessing healthcare facilities' wireless networking strategy
The expansion of the healthcare Internet of Things creating challenges
10/2/2018
New windows offer better thermal performance
Glazing industry has evolved to provide bigger and smarter window assemblies
10/2/2018
California hospital plans new L.A. tower
Tower will replace an aging facility that will be turned into an outpatient building to avoid a costly seismic retrofit
10/2/2018
Recognized interior designs include inviting, warm spaces
The International Interior Design Association announces the winners of the 2016 Healthcare Interior Design Competition
10/2/2018
Hospitals need training and reliable systems to deal with food allergies
The issue of food safety in hospitals doesn’t appear to be on the radar for some organizations
10/1/2018
Frozen embryos accidentally destroyed at Washington healthcare facility
The mistake was not known publicly until one of the couples filed a complaint for damages
10/1/2018
Upgrades planned for north Louisiana hospitals
Ochsner Health System will make improvements to the safety-net hospitals
10/1/2018
Solar energy keeps lights on at Nigerian hospital
The installation of the system was completed in two hours
10/1/2018
Texas hospital engineers energy savings, boosts patient satisfaction
MD Anderson works to improve temp control in patient rooms
10/1/2018
