- May 2015
Going green no longer optional for hospitals
Many eco-friendly elements hospitals have incorporated are hardly visible, yet very impactful
5/29/2015
Gas cut off at five Pakistan hospitals
Hospitals lose gas supply because of outstanding payments
5/29/2015
North Florida Regional Medical Center tailors guest services program to meet patient needs
Center needed a partner to handle some guest service responsibilities so security personnel could focus solely on securing the hospital
5/29/2015
Florida Hospital Tampa gets updated exterior
Hospital's facade had infection control concerns due to leaks. according to an article and photo tour on the Healthcare Design website
5/29/2015
Welsh Hospital cited for kitchen, hygiene failings
Out-of-date food and bad hand hygiene found at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Denbighshire
5/29/2015
Healthier Hospitals Initiative wraps up
Initiative will remain a Practice Greenhealth program
5/29/2015
Flashback photo: A healthcare facility at Chicago's Union Station
A small hospital that was set up to aid passengers at Chicago's train station during World War II
5/28/2015
Alabama healthcare facility installs variable refrigerant flow zoning system
Choctaw General Hospital chooses HVAC system for patient comfort in its 44,000-square-foot addition
5/28/2015
Is patient bathing or contact precaution best to reduce MRSA spread?
Study says bathing patients with chlorhexidine is slightly more effective
5/28/2015
Designing healthcare facilities with virtual reality
Sanford Fargo Medical Center in Fargo, N.D., turned to virtual reality technology to experience its $500 million facility before it was built, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/28/2015
N.Y. healthcare facility holds three-day disaster drill
Massena Memorial Hospital staff practices for potential fire, explosion
5/28/2015
Hospital patients moved amidst concerns over water supply
James Cook University Hospital in UK called move a 'precautionary measure' as further testing is conducted
5/28/2015
Tips for infectious-waste disposal
Facility found that more than 50 percent of items disposed of as infectious waste would fall into the general waste category
5/27/2015
Touchless door access switch help curb healthcare facility infections
Touchless door switches allow patients, staff to open an automatic door with a hand wave
5/27/2015
Q&A on the effective date of the new 2012 Life Safety Code
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on the effective date of the new 2012 Life Safety Code
5/27/2015
N.Y. hospital renovation following industry trends
The emphasis is on private rooms for better infection control, more privacy, better patient sleep
5/27/2015
Toledo health system plans replacement tower at flagship
ProMedica will build a $350-million dollar replacement tower on the campus of ProMedica Toledo Hospital and Toledo Children's Hospital
5/27/2015
Architect discusses healthcare facility trends
Robert Meyer, Cannon Design, received the 2014 George Pressler Under 40 Award
5/27/2015
New portable solution enables commercial kitchens to take advantage of automated oil management
5/27/2015
Damaged mattresses can be infection traps
Infographic shows potential risks hiding beneath the linen
5/26/2015
Spaces designed to merge research and clinical practice
Because the research and clinical care aspects of translational medicine are highly interactive, there's a growing trend to bring these functions together inside one collaborative space, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/26/2015
California hospital plans expansion, modernization project
St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital with build a 72,342-square-foot addition that meets state-required seismic safety standards for acute-care facilities
5/26/2015
Healthcare facility barrier management requires set protocols
Knowing when and where contractors or staff are entering barriers is important in ensuring the code compliance
5/26/2015
Smartphones replace pagers at N.H. hospital
Catholic Medical Center uses phones with apps designed to streamline patient care
5/26/2015
Healthcare systems adapting to challenging landscape
Mounting margin pressures are driving structural changes in the industry, according to a recent survey
5/26/2015
Cooling Optimize adds intelligence and control, lowers energy cost of existing cooling equipment
5/26/2015
Turkey's mega hospital called biggest greenfield hospital project in the world
Project also one of the biggest healthcare public-private partnerships in Europe
5/22/2015
Holiday decorations perk up long-term care facilities
Frequently updated decorations on bulletin boards are seasonal reminders of upcoming holidays and make the facility more festive for the residents, according to an article on the Long-term Living website
5/22/2015
Health City Cayman Islands gets JCI accreditation
Health City the second hospital in the region to have received a JCI approval
5/22/2015
Consolidations, collaborations planned for Hudson Valley hospitals
Fewer medical centers, more urgent-care locations, and the absorption of small practices predicted
5/22/2015
LED kite sculpture lights up hospital entrance
The sculpture's focal point is 12 kites, welded and formed from stainless steel and ranging in size from 4 to 7 feet
5/22/2015
Planning wellness into healthcare facilities
Healthcare campus planning today is looking to develop campuses that interface with communities, providing not only healthcare but opportunities for connections with the community, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/22/2015
Indian hospitals to be assessed on pest control
Facilities will have to ensure that there are no 'stray animals', cobwebs and birds' nests within the premises
5/21/2015
Senior living and healthcare industries expected to converge
CEOs from senior living providers share five predictions about the future of the industry at a recent assisted living conference, according to an article on the Long-term Living website.
5/21/2015
Staying informed of healthcare crime trends
Data should be just one piece of a much larger security assessment tailored to your healthcare facility
5/21/2015
Michael Graves left his mark on accessible design
Graves' mission to revolutionize the way healthcare facilities are built left an indelible mark on the world of architecture, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/21/2015
Hospital renovation efforts include push for better hand hygiene
Northwestern Memorial Hospital refurbishment program included equipment and product upgrades to the hospital's restrooms
5/21/2015
Mobile healthcare facilities ready for disasters
Memorial Hospital of Carbondale's Disaster Blasters enable the disaster preparedness team to set up a 300-bed field hospital
5/20/2015
Baltimore medical home has flexible clinical modules
Former retail space converted into traditional retail layout
5/20/2015
OSHA and NIOSH release hospital respiratory toolkit
The kit is to be used by healthcare employers to protect staffers from airborne transmissible infectious diseases
5/20/2015
Small Vermont hospital launches solar project
Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend to install solar panel as part of its energy efficiency efforts
5/20/2015
Indianapolis health system plans new hospital, cancer center
Community Health Network will build two new buildings, a $60 million outpatient cancer center and a $175 million replacement hospital
5/20/2015
Hospitals search for scope-cleaning solutions
The difficult-to-clean duodenoscopes are still on the market, and redesigning the reusable devices is not a solution in the short term
5/20/2015
Security100Healthcare Summit announces new partnerships; Hosts top voices in healthcare security
5/20/2015
Hospital joins suit against scope-maker
Originally targeted in a lawsuit by widow of superbug victim, Virginia Mason Medical Center is joining a suit against a scope manufacturer tied to outbreaks
5/19/2015
Over-budget Denver VA hospital up in the air
Lawmakers say VA hasn't come up with an acceptable plan for funding it
5/19/2015
Three interim facilities filled gap after Joplin tornado
Three incarnations of interim facilities were used before the March opening of the new Mercy Hospital Joplin, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/19/2015
$10 million outpatient facility planned for St. Louis area
Facility designed to manage a range of healthcare needs
5/19/2015
Q&A on seclusion rooms
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on seclusion rooms
5/19/2015
Digital displays in healthcare facilities more common
Interactive donor walls, digital wayfinding signage and patient-facing digital messaging platforms are among new technological advances
5/19/2015
The clinic of 2020 will be shaped by technology and changes of care focus
The primary care clinic is evolving with new technology, new care models and new reimbursement standards, according to a blog on the HGA website
5/18/2015
Textile technology may protect patients and staff
Technology can reduce the transmission of hospital-acquired infections
5/18/2015
Benefits of a master plan
A healthcare facility master plan can lay the groundwork for more efficient operations and building systems, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/18/2015
Freestanding emergency departments gaining popularity
The number of freestanding emergency departments is increasing as care patterns shift from acute care
5/18/2015
Equipment and software can help environmental services effectiveness
Understanding the ES process is critical to maximizing the performance and productivity of its staff
5/18/2015
Operating room HVAC system must maintain safe conditions efficiently
ORs should use occupied/unoccupied ventilation control systems
5/18/2015
Pest thresholds key for healthcare facilities
Expectations and environment also must come into play when working to improve a pest management program
5/15/2015
Hospital addresses security issues with window film
St. Luke's Hospital in Houston sought a long-term solution for disaster preparedness
5/15/2015
Hospital shares tips on building a Lean facility
Akron Children's Hospital publishes new book called 'L3: Building a Lean Hospital Facility'
5/15/2015
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital coordinates fire and life safety inspections throughout six campuses
Coordination effort needed to support organizational goals and to ensure compliance with outside agency regulations
5/15/2015
ASHE resources can help healthcare facilities' infrastructures running smoothly
Healthcare facilities managers can find guidance on facility infrastructure in new ASHE handbooks
5/15/2015
Fighting HAIs with facts
One way to combat hospital-acquired infections is to understand more about their root causes
5/14/2015
The right healthcare flow can improve operations and safety
Care delivery models must adjust to an aging patient population, a shortage of care providers and new treatments
5/14/2015
Houston children's hospital plans expansion
Texas Children's Hospital will add a $506 million, 19-story patient tower addition
5/14/2015
St. Paul hospital cuts $1.1 million in energy costs
Sustainability team started by installing occupancy sensors for both HVAC and lighting controls all over the building
5/14/2015
Cleveland Clinic's $300 million center part of cancer facility boom
The healthcare industry is building up to take care of an expected influx of cancer patients
5/14/2015
Prebys Cardiovascular Institute designed using a mock-up program
A modular building setting was constructed that featured key rooms at full scale, including operating rooms, patient rooms, and nurses' stations, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/14/2015
ERs are most vulnerable to healthcare facility violence
Training, risk assessment needed to address problem
5/13/2015
Reducing healthcare facility workplace violence
Active shooter training is something to consider
5/13/2015
Healthcare facilities focusing on hotel-quality service
Hospitals are borrowing fundamentals from the hospitality industry to improve patient experience
5/13/2015
Ohio nursing facility moving toward restaurant-style food service
Staffing several kitchens throughout the facility adds the ability to serve more varieties of food at the proper temperature
5/13/2015
Just-in-time buying can control supply chain costs
But some say it's too risky to keep inventories lean
5/13/2015
Identifying sustainable operations needs in healthcare facilities
Sustainable operations pushes the organization to operate healthier facilities that reduce healthcare costs and promote a healthy community
5/13/2015
UK hospitals cut cleaning staffs, call in more rat catchers
NHS hospitals are calling in rat catchers and pest control teams every week after 2,000 cleaners were let go, according to an an article on the Mirror website
5/12/2015
Healthcare facilities designed for long-term flexibility
The challenge is to build for tomorrow and take care of what is needed today
5/12/2015
Human observation boosts hand-hygiene compliance
Researchers observe a significant influence among healthcare workers in an ICU
5/12/2015
Pennsylvania hospital plans $60 million expansion
Lancaster General Hospital's new patient tower, which would add six stories to the current two-story building
5/12/2015
Healthcare facilities electrical safety standards guide revised
Manual on healthcare technology management and facilities engineering has undergone a major update
5/12/2015
Healthcare facilities tighten security after emergency room violence
Hospitals invest in better locks, security staff, more cameras, risk assessment and staff training
5/12/2015
'Lifestyle concept' senior care campus opens in Tennessee
NHC Place is designed to accommodate people as life stages take them from assisted living to other, more specialized living facilities
5/12/2015
Next Generation Luminaires Design Competition recognizes 28 commercial LED lighting products
5/12/2015
Hospital sued for waste management lapse after man's amputated leg found in trash
The leg was thrown in the garbage with his name tag still on it, suit says
5/11/2015
Retail clinics not a threaten to primary care, CEO says
Retail clinics offer access to basic healthcare, eliminating unnecessary visits to emergency rooms
5/11/2015
Will holographic doctors be making house calls?
With virtual doctor's visits via kiosks and home computers and robots in healthcare facilities, holographic doctor visits be not be far behind, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/11/2015
A case for collaboration between electrical engineers, electricians and inspectors
There are a lot of unique healthcare electrical code requirements that - if installed incorrectly or covered by drywall - may be difficult to find and are costly to change
5/11/2015
Healthcare facilities' redesigns focus on safety
Continuous patient monitoring to be part of the hospital room of the future
5/11/2015
Q&A on soiled utility rooms
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on soiled utility rooms
5/11/2015
SMGloba's FastMaint CMMS software for industrial equipment & commercial facility maintenance
5/11/2015
Kaiser Permanente CEO says changing behaviors will change healthcare
Bernard Tyson sees a modern, efficient health system in America's future
5/8/2015
UPMC plans cancer facility in Colombia
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will develop and co-manage an oncology center in the city of Piedecuesta
5/8/2015
Minnesota plans 'destination medical center' projects
Construction of a Hilton hotel with special amenities tailored for medical clientele is planned
5/8/2015
Medical tourism seeing influx of investors
Startups are positioning themselves to capitalize on the interest in consumers looking for places to have lower cost procedures
5/8/2015
Hand-hygiene compliance lags in healthcare reception areas
Study found low hand-hygiene compliance rates of 2.2 percent and 1.7 percent in two reception areas using direct observation
5/8/2015
Solar power is trending in healthcare energy management
Solar power is being used at more and more healthcare campuses
5/8/2015
Reducing healthcare facility energy consumption
The most important thing to do when trying to reduce energy consumption is to measure it
5/7/2015
FDA reviewing safety of hospital hand cleaners
Government wants more study of whether that is safe and how well it actually fights the spread of germs
5/7/2015
Mobile dental clinic designed for on-the-go patients
Studio Dental mobile unit has two treatment cubes, a sterilization room, a waiting area and mechanical services
5/7/2015
Memory care design is evolving
Assisted living facility operator Heritage Enterprises set out to create a new model for memory care in 2010 and has evolved the design with each successive project, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website.
5/7/2015
Construction begins on Missouri cancer center
The Delbert Day Cancer Institute will be a 37,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer care facility
5/7/2015
Cherokee Indian Medical Center pursues innovative operations, design and construction methods
The project uses an integrated project delivery contract system and adheres to evidence-based design principles, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/7/2015
Survey says: healthcare industry, public believe commercially laundered textiles are more hygienic
5/7/2015
Lunera Lighting introduces the Lucy Lamp - a plug-and-play high-pressure sodium lamp replacement
5/7/2015
ROCKFON's ceiling systems help create high-profile appearance with acoustic, sustainable performance
5/7/2015
FDA proposes rules for healthcare antibacterial products
FDA will require additional scientific data to support the safety and effectiveness of certain active ingredients
5/6/2015
Master planning key to growth or consolidation
Case studies of Boston Medical Center and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center show master planning is become a far more complex process than ever before, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/6/2015
Master planning key to growth or consolidation
Case studies of Boston Medical Center and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center show master planning is become a far more complex process than ever before, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/6/2015
Kansas healthcare facility cuts energy use by 12 percent
Lane County Hospital in Dighton completes electrical and mechanical upgrades throughout the hospital
5/6/2015
Memory care is biggest market trend in elder care facilities
Taking advantage of the memory care trend often means revamping current spaces for new uses, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
5/6/2015
Calgary healthcare facility bridges health, lifestyle
Healthcare campus designed as 'authentic urban lifestyle town center' with retail components
5/6/2015
Noroviruses can spread through the air
Study suggests that hospitals' efforts during gastroenteritis outbreaks may be insufficient
5/6/2015
PEER: New rating system for sustainable power systems
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) officially launched PEER, its rating system designed to measure and improve sustainable power system performance.
5/6/2015
Healthcare facilities getting ready for rapidly changing climate
Climate change deteriorates the air quality, creates food- and waterborne illnesses and causes an uptick in extreme weather events
5/5/2015
Hospital opens central Florida's first ER for seniors
Winter Park Memorial Hospital's Senior ER was created to promote healing, reduce anxiety and minimize risks that may accompany hospitalization
5/5/2015
How to achieve a highly effective sustainability program in a challenging healthcare environment
An effective sustainability program within a healthcare environment is the hub of the wheel that can produce several positive outcomes
5/5/2015
Leapfrog releases spring safety scores
Becker's Hospital Review lists five things to know about scores and the new Leapfrog features
5/5/2015
NICU design can address cultural needs
A hospital in Abu Dhabi incorporates a 'royal suite,' dedicated to those who wish to pay more for larger rooms and more luxurious services.The space is used as a birthing center but can also house mothers and babies with complications, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/5/2015
Healthcare facilities reviewing their memory care spaces
Rapidly growing need is spurring assisted living facilities to re-brand under the memory care banner, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
5/5/2015
Q&A on deadbolt locks on office doors
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about deadbolt locks on office doors
5/5/2015
Some hospitals treating patients at home
To reduce costs while improving quality, some hospital systems are taking the house call to the extreme
5/4/2015
S.C. lawmakers may phase out hospital-expansion controls
A growing number of lawmakers seem eager to pass a bill eliminating the Certificate of Need program by 2020.
5/4/2015
Students help design hospital for Honduras
Senior environmental design students at Texas A & M University will show design proposals for a new public hospital in Roatan, Honduras
5/4/2015
Five steps for long-term care facility security
The right staff, realistic security policies and procedures, staff/resident security training and integrated security technology are all key to a successful long-term care facility security system, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
5/4/2015
Oregon hospital garden includes manmade stream
Garden was built on the natural landscape with boulder outcroppings, native plants and an active stream
5/4/2015
Managing energy use in the operating room
Operating room energy efficiency efforts must be balanced against stricter infection control monitoring
5/4/2015
Creating a fire barrier management plan
Life safety concerns continue to be a central focus for healthcare accrediting agencies
5/1/2015
Tips for facility chapels
Designer recommends facilities approach the spiritual room design as more of a mediation space than a religious chapel, according to an article on the Behavioral Healthcare website
5/1/2015
Industry knowledge is key to meeting security compliance goals
Employee knowledge plays a huge role in maintaining a hospital's compliance
5/1/2015
'MEP' may soon be known as 'MEP-T'
The technology network could be considered the fourth utility
5/1/2015
Brooklyn Health Center breaks ground
Project includes 180,000 square feet of healthcare, office and retail space and an outdoor plaza
5/1/2015
Healthcare workspaces can effect team-based care
U.S. healthcare systems are moving toward, team-based care to improve population health, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/1/2015
Interaction Studio designed to foster healthcare innovation
Facility will help healthcare entrepreneurs to experience a prototypical clinical setting up close
5/1/2015