- May 2014
Employee smoking bans a hot topic
To address this incongruence of smoking and healthcare, some health systems have started barring smokers - even those who don't work in clinical and patient support roles - from employment
5/30/2014
Keeping healthcare construction costs in check
Challenged by construction cost overruns, owners will look to project teams to work together to stick to a budget, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/30/2014
Green pest management in healthcare
There are many ways to make a healthcare facility greener, including pest management. Instead of reactive chemical treatments, more and more healthcare facilities are using integrated pest management
5/30/2014
Clarifying proposed changes to smoke compartment size requirements
ASHE supports the change in NFPA 101: Life Safety Code that would increase the maximum smoke compartment size in new facilities
5/30/2014
Q&A: Trends in healthcare interior design
Interior designer Carolyn BaRoss discusses the trends and advancements of modern healthcare interior design
5/30/2014
Continuing process improvements can lower cost, raise quality
Successful improvement projects move through four stages: identifying the problem, researching a solution, changing the way people work and maintaining the change
5/30/2014
LightSense - bright ideas for healthcare facilities
The quarterly LightSense blog will cover the latest in healthcare lighting trends and how lighting can address energy and maintenance savings and optimize the patient experience
5/30/2014
For hospitals, ACA is all about the numbers
Over the next two to three years, the full impact of the Affordable Care Act will be felt
5/29/2014
ASHE survey seeks feedback on CMS Life Safety Code proposal
ASHE is also encouraging members to submit public comments about the proposal
5/29/2014
Florida hospital solves infection problem with communication
Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami uses weekly reports to hospital leaders to help nearly eliminate Acinetobacter baumannii infections
5/29/2014
Quieter hospitals can help healing
Specially designed quiet latches and sound-reducing exit devices can help limit the disturbances to patients and staff
5/29/2014
Cost-effective sustainability tips for hospitals
University of Pennsylvania's online business analysis journal recently released a special report exploring the idea of sustainability in hospital purchasing
5/29/2014
Take a photo tour of a nursing home conversion
A portion of the Fleur Heights Care Center was converted from an assisted living unit to a skilled nursing care unit, according to a Healthcare Design article
5/29/2014
Illinois hospital uses disinfection robot
Palos Community Hospital implements system to improve patient safety and prevent infection
5/29/2014
Video tracks path of hospital linen
Five children at Children's Hospital in New Orleans died from a fungal infection most likely spread through hospital linens
5/28/2014
Dallas hospital project includes VoiP phone system with screens
$1.3 billion public hospital will have 865 private rooms, 27 operating rooms and 96 neonatal intensive care rooms and 12 intensive care beds in its burn center
5/28/2014
Protecting safety while respecting patient autonomy
Once patients are admitted, hospitals have the responsibility to keep them safe. But hospitals aren't prisons.
5/28/2014
Volunteers assemble mobile hospital in Mississippi disaster
Disaster relief volunteers are setting up a mobile disaster hospital in tornado-ravaged area
5/28/2014
Real-time feedback encourages hand hygiene
Using real-time feedback may encourage hand-hygiene compliance, according to a study in American Journal of Infection Control
5/28/2014
Eyewash station Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about non-ANSI-approved eyewash stations
5/28/2014
The origins of evidence-based design
A blog on the Healthcare Design website explores when the evidence-based design movement first began to find its footing
5/28/2014
IFMA Health Care Institute releases report on medical facilities' future
The report was developed from interviews with 30+ CEOs, strategic planners, facilities managers, deputy administrators, financial analysts and chief medical officers
5/27/2014
White paper discusses fighting infection in long-term care facilities
As many as 2.8 million adults living in long-term care facilities contract HAIs every year
5/27/2014
System adopts consistant room standards for large projects
Standard design for patient, exam and operating rooms thought to encourage consistent practices
5/27/2014
Simple restroom care tips for healthcare facilities
Survey shows that 94 percent of U.S. adults would avoid a business in the future if they encountered a dirty restroom
5/27/2014
Health facility business continuity planning
With increased risks of natural and man-made disasters, many hospitals have upgraded their business continuity planning
5/27/2014
Medical tourism a growth opportunity
Today's medical tourism industry is largely composed of patients traveling to receive tertiary care, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/27/2014
Long Island healthcare facility invests $4.5 million in renovation
St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center project includes new cardiac rehabilitation program and enhanced services
5/27/2014
Hospital linen safety infographic
New Orleans Times-Picayune publishes infographic on hospital linen cleaning process in wake of deadly fungal outbreak
5/23/2014
Prefab truck and shipping container win healthcare facility design contest
Moved To Care competition sought design solutions for providing healthcare to rural and isolated areas in Asia
5/23/2014
Texas hospital project integrates lighting, HVAC
Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas integrated a building automation system with a lighting control system
5/23/2014
Wichita hospital renovates women's care unit
Wesley Medical Center project includes 33 private patient rooms, the nurses' station and hallways
5/23/2014
Staten Island hospital gets $12 million protective funding for power unit
Staten Island University Hospital will get funding for a flood mitigation project
5/23/2014
New accreditation program offered for small hospitals
Comprehensive accreditation program is customized for rural hospitals, critical access hospitals and small hospitals with less than 200 beds
5/23/2014
Schneider Electric partners with Vigilent to integrate Dynamic Cooling Management with StruxureWare
5/23/2014
Deadly fungal outbreak puts hospital laundry oversight in spotlight
While the CDC determined that the mucormycosis was likely transmitted through the linens, there has been no determination of where the contamination occurred - in the laundering process, in transit or at the hospital
5/22/2014
Americans link cleanliness with level of care in senior facilities
Study says other expectations include hotel-like amenities, such as fresh, convenient food items, comfort and ambiance
5/22/2014
HIEs can improve disaster planning
Recent disasters have illustrated the need to access patient records remotely because of evacuations or damage to hospitals and clinics
5/22/2014
Case study: Reducing reheat energy use
An energy recovery chiller allowed a Wisconsin hospital to achieve higher energy efficiency
5/22/2014
London hospital steps up infection control after rise in C-diff cases
There have been 22 cases of C-diff recorded at the Whittington Hospital - more than double its threshold
5/22/2014
Futurist sees massive consolidation of hospitals
Consolidation of hospitals could mean that there will be 100 to 200 large regional systems around the country
5/22/2014
Rethinking an operating room simulation center
When a medical center partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense on an operating room simulation center, the team replaced traditional walls and ceilings with movable pieces, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/22/2014
Nurturing a multigenerational healthcare staff
In most workplaces, there are employees from the silent generation, baby boomers, Generation X and Generation Y
5/22/2014
Aculux 2-inch LED precision luminaries offer industry leading performance in compact package
5/22/2014
Grassroots energy-saving campaign saves 105,000 pounds in first year
UK hospital campaign to switch off unused lights and equipment, and remembering to close doors links energy savings to patient care
5/21/2014
Palomar Medical Center called 'hospital of the future'
The 740,000 square-foot Escondido, Calif., facility incorporates a 1.5-acre 'green roof,' garden spaces at the center and both ends of each level of its 11-story patient tower
5/21/2014
Energy-efficiency program helps hospitals spend more on care
Zero-percent loans let hospitals upgrade antiquated heating and cooling systems without diverting money from core mission
5/21/2014
Hospital staff prepares for decontamination emergency
Mayo Clinic Health System training simulates accident involving a chemical carrier
5/21/2014
Small-house senior living personalizes care delivery
Care delivery in 7,000-square-foot homes is person-centered; residents determine their own schedules, and their preferences are honored, according to an article on Long-Term Living website
5/21/2014
Skokie Hospital renovation plans scaled back
NorthShore University HealthSystem wants to scale back a $157 million renovation because the facility admits fewer patients and is shifting to more outpatient care
5/21/2014
Preparing for severe weather
In spring stormy weather plays a disproportionately large role in the disaster preparedness planning facilities managers do for their health facilities
5/21/2014
Building teamwork in infection prevention
One of the biggest resources an infection preventionist has is the healthcare facility’s housekeeping team
5/21/2014
Common goals strengthen infection prevention policies
To achieve the level of communication and collaboration necessary to uphold their objective, the infection prevention and sterile processing departments must understand the roles they play
5/20/2014
$40 million surgical tower planned for Indiana facility
St. Mary Medical Center's addition will add more than 113,000 square feet to the facility with more than 45,000 square feet dedicated to the new surgical department
5/20/2014
St. Louis-based health system to create virtual-care center
3 million telehealth visits are expected in the next five years, according to an article on the Healthcare Informatics website
5/20/2014
Sacred music or showtunes for long-term care?
Studies say both religious music and Broadway singalongs benefit seniors
5/20/2014
Sacred music or showtunes for long-term care?
Studies say both religious music and Broadway singalongs benefit seniors
5/20/2014
Memory boxes fading in long-term care
Long-term care communities are moving away from using memory boxes as cuing tools for residents, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
5/20/2014
New Lynchburg facility designed for efficiency and convenience
Centra medical building will consolidate services for patients in the area while allowing staff to relocate from cramped workspaces
5/20/2014
Download infection prevention infographic
Visual reference guide shows how and where C. difficile spores can lurk on environmental surfaces
5/20/2014
Adoption of 2012 Life Safety Code will come with pros and cons
Some changes will relieve the hospital staff of certain burdens and others will increase the workload
5/20/2014
Making senior care bathrooms safer
Chance of bathing injuries can be reduced by correctly using bath safety equipment
5/19/2014
Identify facility hazards to prevent problems
In a blog on the Long-Term Living website, safety consultant Steve Wilder offers a list of potential occupational hazards to simplify a long-term care facility hazard assessment
5/19/2014
Additional funds sought for California prison health facility
Governor is proposing a $12.4 million increase to the California Health Care Facility's general fund in the revised budget
5/19/2014
Take a photo tour of health simulation center
The Health Simulation and Technology Center at Fox Valley Technical College integrates human simulators to help students better prepare for real-world situations, according to a Healthcare Design article
5/19/2014
'Hand Hygiene All-Americans' named
100 healthcare workers recognized for demonstrating safety, quality and leadership in their hand hygiene practices
5/19/2014
Designing efficient emergency departments
ERs must address the concerns of non-urgent patients and remain cost effective
5/19/2014
ASHRAE continues work on Legionellosis standard
A fourth public review draft of Standard 188P, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems, which has been substantially rewritten from previous versions, is expected to be approved and made available during the summer
5/19/2014
Fire dampers Q&A
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about installing fire dampers in a pneumatic tube system
5/19/2014
Lutron adds higher wattage dimmers to its CL Collection for dimmable LEDs and dimmable CFLs
5/19/2014
Study on laundered towels finds E. Coli, tetanus
Ninety-three percent of the laundered towels used to clean hospital rooms contained bacteria that could result in hospital-acquired infections
5/16/2014
WakeMed Health & Hospitals building $66.3 million expansion
New Raleigh, N.C., facility will focus on inpatient women's specialty services
5/16/2014
General boomer research can shape design
There's plenty to discover on baby boomers that can be applied to design decisions for the built environment, according to a blog on the Healthcare Design website
5/16/2014
Houston hospital plans $650 million expansion, renovation
The Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center project designed to accommodate advanced technology and meet the needs of a growing region
5/16/2014
Pediatric rehabilitation gym uses interactive design
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Dutch-inspired rehab gym highlighted in the 'Last Detail' feature of Health Facilities Management magazine
5/16/2014
Variable refrigerant flow zoning a flexible option for healthcare
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities have the individual room control needs for which VRF zoning is designed
5/16/2014
Nursing home tornado shelters recommended
Government report says the tornado that destroyed a Missouri nursing home three years ago showed that long-term care facilities need to have specially designed shelters
5/15/2014
Survey ranks must-have amenities for seniors
National Association of Home Builders survey offers clues on staying competitive in the long-term care facility market, according to a blog on the Long-Term Living website.
5/15/2014
Oklahoma hospital prepares well before the storm
St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital starts working days before severe weather comes to keep all patients, visitors and staff safe
5/15/2014
Energy savings, long life drive era of LED
Light-emitting diode technologyis playing an important role in helping health care organizations improve patient satisfaction while controlling costs
5/15/2014
LEED credentialing can benefit facility career
Eighty-seven percent of building industry professionals say that earning a LEED credential improved their credibility, while 93 percent say it indicates a greater level of commitment to green building
5/15/2014
New devices launched to improve hand-hygiene compliance
Two new entires in the hand-hygiene market were designed to make it more convenient for healthcare workers to remain compliant
5/15/2014
Healthcare culinary competition finalists announced
Top culinary professionals from the healthcare industry will compete in the Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) 2014 Culinary Competition
5/15/2014
Deadly infection in children's hospital linens might help nursing homes
Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) has called for a consensus on laundry processing standards after linens were identified by researchers as the likely carriers of a deadly fungus at New Orleans Children's Hospital
5/14/2014
Hospital lean 'myths' questioned
Hospital consultant says standardization actually leads to better outcomes
5/14/2014
White paper series explores clinical alarm safety
Two-part white paper discusses managing alarms, alerts and interruptions to improve patient safety
5/14/2014
Functional programming design process takes effort aids person-centered care
Functional programming is an ideal approach to take to make design changes toward a more person-centered approach to resident living, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
5/14/2014
Look of recycling stations can send message
The design of a healthcare provider's recycling program seen as the face of the organization's commitment to sustainability
5/14/2014
Facility design essential to therapy
Vermont psychiatric hospital transforms inpatient clinical areas into inviting and healing spaces, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/14/2014
How to prepare for the 2012 Life Safety Code
Although the CMS proposed rule covers a lot of ground, the vast majority of it is familiar territory
5/14/2014
Philadelphia area health facility receives LEED Silver
Lankenau Medical Center project includes the $446-million, 600,000-square-foot Heart Pavilion
5/14/2014
Facility says security guard charged with killing resident passed background check, drug tests
Two residents were beaten with a car jack and one subsequently died of his injuries
5/13/2014
Designing for intimacy
Some nursing homes are addressing the lack of spaces for privacy and intimacy, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
5/13/2014
Naval Medical Center rehabs repair division
The Naval Medical Center in San Diego overhauls aging and inefficient biomedical repair department
5/13/2014
CMS offers new equipment maintenance options
Change could help healthcare facilities maintain equipment properly while conserving resources
5/13/2014
Calculating the cost of adopting 2012 Life Safety Code
CMS estimates cost to healthcare organizations to implement the new Life Safety Code rules
5/13/2014
How to clean blood
Environmental services staff should keep their eyes open, stop, think and not take chances. When in doubt, follow OSHA's precautions
5/13/2014
Great engineering design through collaboration
It is the ability of engineers to understand the specific type of healthcare buildings and the process in which we design those buildings that makes the projects successful
5/13/2014
Breast health center to combine care and research
South Dakota facility will also include a boutique for cancer patients, a conference center and a survivorship clinic
5/13/2014
India's hospital train brings care to rural areas
Train is staffed by surgeons and equipped with a state-of-the-art operating room
5/12/2014
Household dining model cheaper, tastier
Long-Term Living article says using satellite kitchens results in lower net costs for communities and an improved dining experience for residents
5/12/2014
Emergency room renovation to boost safety, efficiency
Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene in Keene, N.H., will update safety features and modernize a number of private patient rooms
5/12/2014
Royal Sussex County hospital construction OK'd
Current facilities are among the oldest in the National Health Service and date back to the 19th century
5/12/2014
Study says serving sorbet before nursing home meals increases food intake
Nursing home residents who have a sorbet appetizer tend to eat more at mealtime and maintain their weight
5/12/2014
Take a photo tour of Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital
Recent renovations at Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital in Westerville, Ohio, updated the environment to reflect the local culture, according to a Healthcare Design article
5/12/2014
University of Chicago Medicine plans buildout of vacant space
$123.5 million project will consolidate beds in one building
5/12/2014
AFX announces new website launch redesigned website offers design and project planning tools
5/12/2014
Technology tracks patient movements, experience
Real-time location system (RTLS) technology used to limit patient wait times at Sanford Health system
5/9/2014
Spreading information can help curb HAIs
According to research, frequent e-mails to facility leaders can help fight an outbreak
5/9/2014
Green waste management can save money
The opportunity for cost reduction through smart resource and waste management may be as high as 40 percent to 70 percent
5/9/2014
Phased renovation needs precise timing to pay off
The operation must be meticulously planned, because the work site is connected to the rest of the building's systems, according to a Healthcare Design article
5/9/2014
Murals brighten Bronx healthcare facility
New murals at a CenterLight Health Systems in-patient care facility highlight the best of the Bronx
5/9/2014
Does automated hand-hygiene monitoring work?
A recent review of published information on automated hand hygiene systems found that less than 20 percent of the articles included calculations for efficiency or accuracy
5/9/2014
50 leaders in patient safety field
Becker's Hospital Review list includes professionals from healthcare organizations, national organizations, universities and other institutions
5/9/2014
Australian university develops antibacterial fabric
RMIT University researchers say material can kill a range of infectious bacteria, such as E coli, within 10 minutes
5/9/2014
Herman Miller continues its commitment to the environment, announces new Earthright strategy
5/9/2014
IFMA's professional credentials aligned with Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act requirements
5/9/2014
Temporary hospital sent to Mississippi after tornado
North Carolina sends 18 trucks of equipment and supplies after storm damages Louisville healthcare facilities
5/8/2014
Mock disaster tests Ontario hospital privacy procedures
Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Simcoe County stages car accident with chemical spill to test the hospital's emergency preparedness
5/8/2014
How HIPAA relates to the security officer
Prevent inappropriate sharing of private patient information by ensuring all individuals, including the security team, are trained on applicable HIPAA rules and regulations
5/8/2014
Hand hygiene in New Zealand hospitals improving
Good hand-hygiene practices are being followed nearly 73 percent of the time across the country's hospitals, report says
5/8/2014
Hospice centers offer home away from home
Healthcare Design article says that population changes mean both the number and size of facilites are growing
5/8/2014
Shuttered Buffalo clinic becomes a state-of-the-art facility
$2.5 million rehab includes state-of-the-art examination rooms, digital record-keeping and a floor plan designed for coordination of services
5/8/2014
Bacteria in hospital ice machines blamed for patient death
Legionella bacteria found in hospital ice machines at UPMC Presbyterian contributed to one patient's death and sickened two others
5/7/2014
London's oldest hospital getting low-carbon power upgrade
St Bartholomew's Hospital is getting a new, low-carbon combined cooling, heating and power system from the Sustainable Development Capital LLP 'Powering Health' collaboration
5/7/2014
New superbug infection found every 18 minutes in Hong Kong public hospitals
Cases have risen 15 percent since 2011, with overcrowding and Hong Kong's ageing population blamed
5/7/2014
Designing for infection control
Blog on Healthcare Design website discusses how design can play a role in combating the epidemic of hospital-acquired infections
5/7/2014
Safety scores say hospitals are showing improvement
According to newly released data, despite progress, even some premier medical institutions are falling behind when it comes to patient safety
5/7/2014
Healthcare foodservice goes beyond patient dining
Fifty-nine percent of hospitals serve more retail meals than patient meals
5/7/2014
Simulation software may improve healthcare facility efficiencies
Software creates a 4D portrayal of a healthcare system, and then adds in 'what-if' factors to analyze the way the organization handles patients and care
5/6/2014
Health system capital planning for the future
Some of the basic reasons that hospitals choose to invest in facilities include addressing a strategic need in the market, modernizing an aging infrastructure, and/or upgrading to achieve and ensure that the enterprise is operating with the 'standard of care'
5/6/2014
Infection control measures at Worcestershire hospitals get thumbs-up
Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited both hospitals to assess the standards of cleanliness and how staff were working to prevent the spread of infections such as norovirus
5/6/2014
North Carolina women's center plans $26.8M project to double its size
Novant Health Matthews Medical Center will add 49,000 square feet to its women's services
5/6/2014
Improving a security program's effectiveness
Even if you've already implemented changes to your security program, it is important to remember that periodic assessments should be performed to ensure that it remains effective
5/6/2014
Creating a strong safety culture
If you are not actively trying to create a strong safety culture in your organization, it probably doesn't exist, blogger says
5/6/2014
Florida hospital on mock 'high alert'
Highlands Regional Medical Center holds disaster drill, coordinated to give county crisis-response employees, first-responders and staff a hands-on experience of what would take place in the event of an actual crisis situation
5/6/2014
Architecture of Fortius Sport & Health reflects spirit of athletic motion
Article on the Healthcare Design website includes a virtual photo tour of the facility
5/6/2014
What's wrong with this picture?
AORN website graphic offers a fun way to check environmental cleaning knowledge
5/5/2014
New Orleans area hospital conducts 'active shooter' drill
East Jefferson General Hospital simulates a scenario involving a gunman roaming the facility
5/5/2014
Reducing carbon monoxide poisoning threat
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning pose a particularly dangerous threat to residents in long-term care facilities
5/5/2014
Camp Pendleton hospital reflects military tradition
Healthcare Design article describes how facility design reflects the values of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps while using the latest evidence-based design practices
5/5/2014
Houston medical center plans $650M expansion, renovation
Texas Medical Center will add 1.34 million square feet and 160 additional beds
5/5/2014
Carpet tiles making a comeback
Ease of installation can make modular carpeting less disruptive for a long-term care facility
5/5/2014
New Orleans deaths raise questions about handling of linens
Five children died during an outbreak of a flesh-eating fungal infection at Children's Hospital between August 2008 and July 2009
5/2/2014
Rally in Sacramento calls for stronger safety standards throughout hospitals
California lawmakers are working on a bill to make hospitals safer in an effort that some are calling a waste of time and money
5/2/2014
Senator pushes FEMA to OK $20M for New York healthcare facilities
Funds would buy emergency generators for West Islip hospital and nursing home
5/2/2014
Key elements to clean restrooms
Long-Term Living article lists six steps to a clean restroom
5/2/2014
Architecture and interior design can support wayfinding
Center for Health Design discusses how specific design choices effect wayfinding in health facilities
5/2/2014
Ignoring future threatens facility design success
Healthcare Design blog discusses how lack of training for a facility's future staff can negate the benefits of the best facility design
5/2/2014
Watermark Designs introduces a collection of linear drains standard and custom designs and finishes
5/2/2014
New Minnesota clinic built for women, by women
Construction of Park Nicollet Women's Center in St. Louis Park informed by leading role of women
5/1/2014
The medical travel bug is spreading
A blog on the Healthcare Design website discusses the trend of traveling outside the U.S. for medical care
5/1/2014
UK hospital issuing personal alarms, panic buttons to staff
Accident and emergency department at Noble's Hospital is reviewing safety procedures
5/1/2014
Hospital bug blamed for hospital ward closures in Wales
Increases in bed closures at Glan Clwyd Hospital were six times higher than at other hospitals in North Wales
5/1/2014
Carpeting offering new options for care facilities
Article on Long-term Living website says long-term care and rehabilitation facilities are using their remodeling phases as a chance to explore new carpeting options
5/1/2014
Oklahoma hospital's addition will include 'hoteling stations'
St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital's new rooms to include nursing pods that bring nursing staff closer to patients
5/1/2014
Hospital-affiliated gyms grow in popularity
Health-facility-affiliated gyms are generally more costly than some commercial gyms, but members value the connection with healthcare professionals
5/1/2014
South Carolina Hospital honored for infection control
GHS Laurens County Memorial Hospital in Clinton has received two patient safety awards
5/1/2014