- November 2019

Close to 1,200 patients at risk at Indiana hospital due to sterilization lapses

One of the hospital's surgical instrument sterilization technicians failed to complete a necessary step

11/27/2019

New Stanford hospital inspired by Apple

The hospital has automated guided vehicles to assist with laundry delivery and trash disposal

11/27/2019

Canadian hospital hit for infection control issues and use of duct tape

Other maintenance issues include the need to resurface counters and wall in part of the neonatal intensive care unit

11/27/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Corridor projection

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for corridor projection

11/27/2019

Washington hospital cancels procedures after surgical tray issues

Flecks of plastic were found on some surgical trays

11/27/2019

Flushing rim sinks provide hygienic disposal of clinical waste

Sinks help maintain clean conditions for clinics and healthcare settings

11/27/2019

Legionnaires’ disease found at Ohio nursing home

Lake County General Health District confirms disease at Mentor facility

11/26/2019

10 Seattle hospital ORs closed through January after mold outbreak

The hospital is installing in-room HEPA filtration

11/26/2019

Healthcare facilities are focusing on designing for flexibility

The ability to adapt and grow to patient needs, is a major concern when designing any kind of medical facility

11/26/2019

Innovative technology helps lower costs, overcome labor shortage and Increase safety

Technology can help close the labor gap, and it can also lower costs and increase efficiency by helping healthcare organizations’ facilities and housekeeping departments do more with less

11/26/2019

Expand the maintenance departments equipment arsenal

Renting portable cooling units, lifts and generators can supplement maintenance tools

11/26/2019

CDC puts Candida auris and Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter in urgent category

C. difficile, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriacese and drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae are also considered 'urgent'

11/25/2019

Scientists developing ‘smart toilet’ to collect health data

Some of the available information is alcohol consumption, caloric intake, and how quickly a person metabolizes certain medicine

11/25/2019

Indoor air quality in healthcare facilities: How to keep your patients and staff healthy

A new report suggests the issue is also being impacted by old and unsuitable infrastructure

11/25/2019

Infection control in five Irish hospitals hampered by overcrowding

A new report suggests the issue is also being impacted by old and unsuitable infrastructure

11/25/2019

California power outage disrupted patient care on Northern Coast

A majority of the state’s counties lost power for portions of October

11/25/2019

Design of Unity Health Care Brentwood facility in D.C. focused on employee and patient experience

Unity Health Care Brentwood was recently recognized as a winner of the ASID Outcome of Design Awards

11/25/2019

Kids 'drive' themselves to OR at N.H. hospital

The car is remote controlled by a staff member, but the children feel they are in charge of the wheel

11/22/2019

Kids 'drive' themselves to OR at N.H. hospital

The car is remote controlled by a staff member, but the children feel they are in charge of the wheel

11/22/2019

Superhero window washers pop in on Pa. children’s hospital

After peering through the windows, the superheroes made their way inside to meet with the kids and hand out a few gifts

11/22/2019

Cherokee Nation opens largest U.S. tribal outpatient health center

More than 600 pieces of Cherokee art are on display throughout the new outpatient health center

11/22/2019

Cherokee Nation opens largest U.S. tribal outpatient health center

More than 600 pieces of Cherokee art are on display throughout the new outpatient health center

11/22/2019

U.S. health systems help assess Dorian-damaged Bahamian hospitals

Facilities experts helping determine whether to repair or replace

11/22/2019

Maintenance is an investment, not a cost center

Engaged technicians can help managers revamp a department's image and drive an organization's success

11/22/2019

HHS releases healthcare cybersecurity best practices

Guidance includes 10 best practices for mitigating hacking threats

11/22/2019

Healthcare data security at crisis levels

Cyber criminals have used x-ray machines to launch malware attacks

11/21/2019

Workers plan strike over UC hospitals outsourcing

UC Davis Health have not canceled any patient appointments in preparation for today's strike

11/21/2019

Nine in 10 healthcare organizations still using fax machines

Thirty-nine percent using pagers

11/21/2019

UK hospitals addressing structural issues

Seven healthcare facilities across England have building safety concerns

11/21/2019

Hospitals don't have to report waterborne infections

Tennessee and Oregon are the only states that require hospitals to report waterborne NTM infections

11/21/2019

Illinois hospital's new $30 million emergency department includes an 11,000-square-foot green roof

The building is LEED-certified and 92 percent of the debris collected from its construction was recycled

11/21/2019

Cancer cluster may be linked to medical equipment sterilization facility

The facility uses cancer-causing ethylene oxide in the sterilization process

11/20/2019

Seattle Children’s hospital faces lawsuit over mold issues

Lawsuit claims that the teen contracted meningitis in March 2018 from the Aspergillus mold

11/20/2019

CDC: Candida auris cases at 836

New York has the most cases with 388

11/20/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Stairwell storage

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for stairwell storage

11/20/2019

CDC says HAIs are decreasing

Clostridium difficile infections were down by 12 precent, between 2017 and 2018

11/20/2019

Buck crashes through Tennessee hospital window

Three patients at an outpatient clinic at Tennova Healthcare-North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell were evaluated for minor injuries

11/19/2019

New York identifies healthcare facilities with Candida auris

New York is the first state to release the names

11/19/2019

Water-borne infection hitting patients across the country

More than 150 hospitals across the country reporting infected patients

11/19/2019

2018 saw record number of Legionellosis cases reported

Rising temperatures, longer summers and the increased popularity of environmentally-friendly buildings may be contributing to the rise in cases

11/19/2019

Evaluating Building Internet of Things devices and systems

Make sure that it is truly commercial-grade

11/19/2019

Preparing healthcare facilities for a disaster

Hospitals must maintain continuity of patient care

11/19/2019

Seattle Children's Hospital closes operating rooms due to fungus again

The latest discovery of Aspergillus has closed 11 operating rooms after the mold was detected in three ORs and two procedural areas

11/18/2019

VA reorganizes police force after critical reports

One report also found the VA failed to develop adequate threat assessments and written policies

11/18/2019

New York senior facility developed on college campus

Broadview—Senior Living at Purchase College is being developed as an intergenerational senior learning community, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website

11/18/2019

Study: Copper hospital beds can kill bacteria

Copper beds in the ICU harbored an average of 95 percent fewer bacteria than conventional hospital beds

11/18/2019

Escalating workplace violence hits hospitals hard

Many healthcare facilities are increasing security measures to deal with the issue

11/18/2019

Legionella found in Va. VA healthcare facility

McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center found bacteria in cooling system

11/15/2019

Disinfectants struggling to kill C. diff bacteria

Clostridioides difficile is challenging hospital-grade disinfectants

11/15/2019

Clemson creates healthcare design certificate for clinical and leadership nurses

The Clemson University Academy of Nursing Excellence in Design was founded in 2017

11/15/2019

Australian healthcare facility designed to promote wellness

The Gandel Wing at Cabrini Malvern in Melbourne, connects patients with nature and promotes a more empathetic approach to healthcare design, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

11/15/2019

K9 units becoming more common in healthcare facilities

Combating violence is just one role for the trained dogs

11/14/2019

Brooklyn Hospital Center permanently loses some patient data after ransomeware attack

It's been six months since a veteran and double amputee opened fire inside the West Palm Beach VA Center

11/14/2019

Employees concerned about flooding inside Washington state hospital

One employee described human feces falling from the ceiling

11/14/2019

Nine design drivers for behavioral health facilities

As the need for behavioral health inpatient units becomes clear, experienced healthcare designers are thinking carefully about the supportive characteristics of their architecture.

11/14/2019

VA Medical Center increases security, but won't add metal detectors, after shooting

The changes were implemented within six months of an incident where a veteran and double amputee opened fire inside the West Palm Beach VA Center

11/14/2019

Hospital links babies' deaths to bacteria in equipment

Geisinger says equipment was used in measuring donor breast milk

11/13/2019

Leapfrog unveils fall 2019 safety grades

Thirty-three percent of the hospitals graded earned an 'A'

11/13/2019

Listeria outbreak at healthcare facility linked 'ineffective fridges'

A cancer patient died after eating a pre-packed sandwich while he was being treated at Royal Derby Hospital

11/13/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Sterile processing room

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for sterile processing room

11/13/2019

Stanford Hospital will have a fleet of supply-delivering robots

Twenty-three of the robots will deliver linens, packages and medical supplies

11/13/2019

Strategies for sustainable grounds

Key sustainability considerations can enable managers to improve the performance and appearance of landscapes

11/13/2019

Drug-resistant bacteria 'growing problem' in Western Washington healthcare facilities

Four cases of a specific type of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii were recently found at a nursing rehabilitation facility

11/12/2019

Readiness matters with new CMS emergency preparedness requirements

The intent is still to establish criteria for healthcare providers and suppliers to better prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters.

11/12/2019

Chicago hospital gets more than $25 million in upgrades

Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital has made infrastructure improvements over the last nine months

11/12/2019

Can a Coworking Model and the Shared Economy Help Physicians Save on the High Costs of Operations?

The concept of coworking is a fundamental basis of today’s collaborative economy

11/12/2019

Lighting controls upgrade guidelines

Focusing on control strategies, space needs and planning principles can help managers create successful installations

11/12/2019

Tech can help healthcare facilities guard against disaster

Keeping health IT systems up and running is critical

11/12/2019

California hospital resumes services for elective procedures after wildfire

The hospital reopened Nov. 5 for full inpatient and emergency care services after having been evacuated for nine days

11/11/2019

Florida hospital system to invest $600 million into three 'wellness villages'

Each ‘village’ will have different healthcare concepts, including fitness and medical offices

11/11/2019

Case study: UW Health Heart & Vascular Center at ProHealth Care

Make sure your risk assessment and scenario planning are up to date and accurate

11/11/2019

Making the case for wellness-supporting design

When health and wellness strategies dovetail with sustainability, the financial justification argument is becoming much stronger

11/11/2019

Some suicide-prevention measures may not increase hospital safety

These measures can cost millions of dollars to implement

11/8/2019

Where patients recover may affect whether they return to the hospital because of infections

Patients returning home from the hospital were 38 percent more likely to return to the hospital with a linked infection

11/8/2019

CDC reports decrease in HAIs

Compared to 2015, all states but one performed better on at least two infection types

11/8/2019

Long Island hospital builds kid-friendly facility

Stony Brook Children’s Hospital’s new building was designed to make families more comfortable

11/8/2019

Medical evacuees called the new refugees of climate change

Wildfire evacuation everyday reality in Northern California

11/8/2019

Steps for effective emergency preparedness

Make sure your risk assessment and scenario planning are up to date and accurate

11/8/2019

Research finds epidemic and pandemic preparedness lacking

Study suggests national governments should commit to take action to address health security risks

11/7/2019

Facility fee adding to cost of doctor visits

The purpose of the facility fee is to compensate hospitals and some medical practices for the expense of maintaining the facility

11/7/2019

Can retailers provide local healthcare?

Walmart and Best Buy are betting the answer is yes

11/7/2019

Steps for updating the access control system

Build your team, evaluate possible integration with current systems and select the right product for your building

11/7/2019

State inspects hospital odor after employee complaint

Seventeen employees sought medical attention

11/7/2019

Balancing security and access in healthcare facilities

Certain challenges are unique to healthcare facilities

11/7/2019

Walgreens to cut some in-store clinics

The 220 clinics run by local health systems will remain open

11/6/2019

Sutter Health combines two sites into new facility to meet seismic requirements

New million-square-foot California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness campus takes up entire San Francisco city block, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

11/6/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Fire drills

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for fire drills

11/6/2019

Omnichannel communication: The frontier healthcare meeds to target

For digital channels of communications to thrive and boost member experience, payers must work on developing omnichannel capabilities

11/6/2019

Wildfires, power outages impact on healthcare in California called unprecedented

PG&E set up utility-scale generators at one of its utility substations in the Grass Valley area, creating a 'continuity zone' that is supplying electricity to 3,800 customers

11/5/2019

Study: Too many seniors are back in hospital for infections treated during initial stay

The most common type of pre-existing infection in the patients was C. difficile

11/5/2019

Keeping medical devices, services and data safe from cyberattacks

The cost of inaction, starting with something as obvious as email security, can be steep for healthcare organizations

11/5/2019

Uber to integrate with an EHR system for U.S. providers

A patient’s information, including name, phone number and pick-up address, will auto-populate in Uber ride requests

11/5/2019

Keeping UPS and generators prepared for emergencies

Testing, maintenance and monitoring help standby systems support operations in a crisis

11/5/2019

Creating a healthcare facility emergency plan

Emergency departments must develop disaster preparedness plans that go beyond natural disasters and utility failures, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

11/5/2019

Sensors help healthcare facilities keep track of hand hygiene

The system compiles data on whether an employee cleans their hands within 60 seconds of entering a room

11/4/2019

Study: Contact precautions in VA facilities don't curb MRSA

New study evaluated admissions from 74 longterm-care facilities

11/4/2019

Nurses want more security at Maine hospital after assaults

The nurses allege there has been no security presence at the hospital to assist nurses

11/4/2019

Going green can save healthcare facilities millions

Analysis estimated that hospitals in the United States create just under 34 pounds of waste per staffed bed per day

11/4/2019

The importance of a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)

Because of this, healthcare facility infrastructures, maintenance machines and computer systems work overtime to accommodate all members within the organization

11/4/2019

Three trending security technologies

Drones, robots and advanced access control changing facilities management

11/4/2019

Cleaning plant shutdown could lead to surgical tool shortage

Several sterilization facilities that use ethylene oxide were shut down.

11/1/2019

Boston healthcare transport facility includes on-site simulation lab

Boston MedFlight facility also includes radiant heat and solar panels, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

11/1/2019

Healthcare cybersecurity needs staff awareness

Some non-security or IT staffers never think about cybersecurity

11/1/2019

CDC: Flu activity low, but growing

Louisiana and Puerto Rico experienced high flu-like illness activity for the week ending Oct. 19

11/1/2019

Retrocommissioning can lead to long-term energy efficiency

A recent study shows that retrocommissioning leads to persistent energy savings in commercial buildings

11/1/2019

Internet of Things (IoT) & EcoStruxure: Energy Management Systems for Hospitals

11/1/2019