- May 2019

W.Va. VA healthcare facility makes healthy, tasty food a priority

More than 80% of the the VA Medical Center menu items are made from scratch

5/31/2019

Telemedicine company launched to focus on infectious disease

Infectious Disease Connect will seek to reduce transfers and allow the treatment of patients with infectious diseases in their own communities

5/31/2019

W.Va. healthcare facility installs model train

The 980-square-foot display includes 220 feet of track, three trains on three levels, homes, buildings and other structures

5/31/2019

Sanitizer uses ultraviolet rays to kill viruses on mobile devices

Studies have found that 94 percent of cell phones used by hospital staff carry contaminants

5/31/2019

Study: Hand-hygiene signs not working in healthcare facilities

Researchers placed placards near soap and alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers in two hospital units

5/31/2019

Seattle Children's Hospital operating rooms shut down because of fungus

Air tests detected Aspergillus in several operating rooms and equipment storage rooms

5/30/2019

Top 10 HIPAA violations

How to avoid the most common issues

5/30/2019

Escalating workplace violence hits hospitals hard

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

5/30/2019

Ohio hospital honored for environmental practices

Health system has developed initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve management of electricity and gas usage and increase recycling of hazardous waste

5/30/2019

Children’s hospital using input, mock rooms to design mental-health facility

Mock rooms built to mimic nine-story behavioral health pavilion

5/30/2019

Report: Healthcare devices are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattack

Forty percent of the devices medical professional are using are IoT devices

5/30/2019

Healthcare facilities changing how they fight superbugs

Drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium difficile have been overcoming antibiotics

5/29/2019

Hospital cybersecurity lagging due to talent gap

Half of organizations lack the security talent needed to remain secure

5/29/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Emergency power generators

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for emergency power generators

5/29/2019

Free tool helps develop facility risk assessments

FGI guidelines can help identify hazards

5/29/2019

New factor that can influence spread of legionella found

Legionella can proliferate less efficiently in amoebae if they contain endosymbionts

5/29/2019

Canadian hospitals hope to cure their lackluster food

Initiative also aims to elevate the role of food as an important part of healing

5/28/2019

Fla. hospital's hurricane shelter plan may be collapsing

Limited uses decrease funding opportunities

5/28/2019

The benefits of patient entertainment systems

Modern patient entertainment systems are a great way of putting patients first

5/28/2019

Enhancing operational efficiency, staff satisfaction and patient care with false alarm reduction

A healthcare facility's mission is easily deterred when safety and security systems aren’t performing at an efficient rate, specifically with alarm systems

5/28/2019

C diff. transmitted through non-critical items

Report says proper disinfection of tools is crucial

5/28/2019

Agencies investigating Legionnaires' case at McLaren Flint

Hospital officials acknowledging that a patient may have acquired the disease at the facility

5/24/2019

Study: Outside temperature impacts pathogens in climate-controlled ICUs

The outside temperature can influence the indoor temperature

5/24/2019

Security hired for Manitoba healthcare facilities after city bills for police time

Province announces two guards will be on staff at all times

5/24/2019

When to consolidate clinical testing (core) laboratories.

Increasingly, customers of clinical testing labs want a one-stop shop, particularly as large healthcare systems acquire smaller, more specialized independent practices

5/24/2019

'Best Places to Work' in healthcare named

Modern Healthcare shares alphabetical list of winners

5/24/2019

Vancouver VA offers veterans freshly prepared meals

All cooking is done on site, on the same day

5/24/2019

Report says Florida needs to do more to fight disease, other threats

The state lags the national average in healthcare delivery

5/23/2019

U.S. disaster preparedness is slowing

Regional inequities in preparedness persist

5/23/2019

Clean water restored to Minn. hospital after power outage

A power outage released too much lime into the city’s water supply

5/23/2019

Saskatchewan children's hospital designed with 'home-like environment'

The new Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital is bursting with color

5/23/2019

Calif. hospital looking at options after seismic retrofit funding denied

Hospital leaders have started a public relations campaign reaching out to a diverse group of community members

5/23/2019

'Boutique care’ facility opens in Louisiana

The imaging center was designed to create a private, relaxing and efficient one-stop shop for women

5/23/2019

An emergency declaration over Ebola could make things worse

The Ebola outbreak in the Congo is challenging the world's capacity to respond

5/22/2019

DC VA patient escaped psychiatric unit, charged with assault

The U.S. House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation

5/22/2019

Understanding high-efficiency rooftop air conditioning units

Companies nationwide could save roughly $1 billion annually in energy costs by replacing 10- to 20-ton RTUs with units that meet the high performance RTU specification

5/22/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Fire hose valves

Brad Keyes discusses the regulations for fire hose valves

5/22/2019

One third of hospitals earn 'A' in Leapfrog's spring ratings

Of the more than 2,600 hospitals graded, 32 percent earned an "A"

5/22/2019

Heathcare facility floors getting more attention in infection control efforts

Disposable mops may cut down on contamination

5/22/2019

WHO worried about risk of Ebola spread

The death total in the outbreak is 1,105 and response teams are still investigating 310 suspected Ebola cases

5/21/2019

S.C. ER evacuated after man tears sprinkler head from ceiling

The patient also allegedly assaulted a hospital security member who tried to restrain him

5/21/2019

100-year-old Pa. healthcare campus gets $31 million renovation

St. Luke's Sacred Heart expanding services at Allentown campus

5/21/2019

Design contest helps fill research void for behavioral facilities

The Institute for Patient-Centered Design held design competition focusing on the behavioral healthcare inpatient bedroom and bathroom, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

5/21/2019

Environmentally friendly practices can impact landscaping

Focusing on equipment performance, water efficiency and chemicals good for operations, environment

5/21/2019

Earthquake regulations could affect California hospitals' S&P ratings

State law requires hospitals to upgrade facilities to be earthquake resilient

5/20/2019

Earthquake regulations could affect California hospitals' S&P ratings

State law requires hospitals to upgrade facilities to be earthquake resilient

5/20/2019

Officials at Chinese hospital fired over poor infection control after five baby deaths

The babies died after contracting an infection caused by Echovirus 11, a type of intestinal virus

5/20/2019

Regulatory rollout: Keys to educating healthcare facility staff

When staff are properly educated, healthcare facilities will find it much easier to comply with regulatory requirements

5/20/2019

Regulatory rollout: Keys to educating healthcare facility staff

When staff are properly educated, healthcare facilities will find it much easier to comply with regulatory requirements

5/20/2019

Creating more comfortable healthcare facilities

Incorporating hospitality, spa and more wellness design elements fights 'sterile' stereotype

5/20/2019

University of Texas new biocontainment care unit is prepared for the next Ebola outbreak

Specialty unit is among 10 U.S. regional centers for highly infectious diseases

5/17/2019

High-quality dining among trends in long-term care

Long-term care communities are also offering private and personalized apartments

5/17/2019

Illinois hospital nearly shut down by floods

Healthcare system wants the city to revamp water drainage system

5/17/2019

'Call to Order’ room service available at Ontario hospitals

Program first introduced in 2011 before being expanded to other facilities

5/17/2019

Study: Few healthcare workers know hand-washing guidelines

Study found that workers performed hand hygiene 35 percent of the time.

5/17/2019

Occupant wellness strategies make financial sense

The WELL Building Standard can guide facilities managers to implement financially meaningful health and wellness strategies

5/17/2019

VA finds officials covered up Legionella at Loma Linda hospital

Staff members said they were not informed of bacteria discovery

5/16/2019

Extinguish these myths about fire emergencies

Understanding how occupants react can help with preparation

5/16/2019

Security cameras in nursing homes present ethical dilemmas

Some say the safety precautions may do more harm than good

5/16/2019

NY dedicates statue to handwashing champion

Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis saw the benefits of handwashing in 1847

5/16/2019

State probe finds Duluth facility's neglect allowed resident to drink cleaning chemical

The facility failed to implement safety precautions, the report said

5/16/2019

CMS guidance seeks to clarify hospital co-location policy

The guidance aims to ensure such space-sharing arrangements comply with Medicare's conditions of participation

5/16/2019

Research finds healthcare facility privacy curtains can pose threat to patients

University of Michigan researchers looked at the prevalence of curtains contaminated in skilled nursing facility rooms.

5/15/2019

Michigan health systems collaborate on laundry service facility

Henry Ford Health System, Michigan Medicine and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System have formed a joint venture

5/15/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Fully sprinklering existing hospitals

Brad Keyes discusses the regulations for fully sprinklering existing hospitals

5/15/2019

IU health lights up its ‘green side’

A $2 million investment will install thousands of energy-efficient LED lights

5/15/2019

Logansport Memorial Hospital working to avoid another cyber security breach

The only damage done was spamming emails to other employees

5/15/2019

Michigan Legionnaires' cases up in 2018, but death rates drop

The state experienced a 67 percent increase from 2017

5/14/2019

Candida auris cases confirmed in Maryland

Fungal infection has been confirmed in 12 U.S. states

5/14/2019

Common improper hazardous waste management practices

It is important for all healthcare personnel who handle hazardous chemicals or materials to be made aware of these improper practices and be trained accordingly

5/14/2019

Study finds disinfection devices in ICU sinks effective against superbugs

Researchers placed devices on sink siphons that applied heat and electromechanical vibration

5/14/2019

Robot lends a hand at Texas children's hospital

'Moxie' can drop off linens and supplies for patients

5/14/2019

Global medical tourism market size to exceed 29 billion by 2024

Growing compliance to international standards for medical treatments in developing countries will spur growth of medical tourism market in upcoming years

5/14/2019

Senator urges feds to declare emergency over Candida auris

Schumer is asking the federal government to allocate millions of dollars to fighting the fungus

5/13/2019

Experts fear disaster as Ebola outbreak threatens to escalate

Ongoing violence aimed at the Ebola response workers is undermining efforts to stop the virus' spread

5/13/2019

Incorporating duress signaling into a facility’s security plan

Hospitals need an easy and fast way for a staff member to send out a distress signal from any spot inside a facility or even in the parking lot

5/13/2019

Specific environmental strategies needed in infection control

World Health Organization publishes priority pathogens list

5/13/2019

Concerns raised that some new hospitals not built to prevent infection

Some members of Parliament say Scotland's hospitals are not being built to a high enough standard

5/10/2019

HHS releases healthcare cybersecurity best practices

Guidance includes 10 best practices for mitigating hacking threats

5/10/2019

Preventing hospital falls with slip-resistant grab bar surfaces

Studies have shown that slips and falls are a serious patient safety issue facing healthcare facilities

5/10/2019

Healthcare facilities turning to ER cubicles to save space

Move designed to free up space for more critical patients

5/10/2019

Designing a holistic facilities management plan to protect medical devices

Hospitals can have 10 or more devices per licensed bed, many more than the number of laptop computers

5/10/2019

Sink System Offers Improved Cleanliness

5/10/2019

Candida auris cases in U.S. top 600

Illinois, New Jersey and New York have most of the cases

5/9/2019

Outbreak incident in Israel teaches value of infection control

Clean care key to dealing with health emergencies

5/9/2019

Healthcare cloud computing market to exceed $55 billion by 2025

Rising adoption of information technology (IT) in healthcare sector is the key factor driving healthcare cloud computing market growth during the forecast period

5/9/2019

California hospital gets half its energy from solar power

The system will generate 2.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean, renewable power per year

5/9/2019

How to create collaborative patient-centered design

The goal should be to provide spaces that offer the patient a voice, contribute to collaboration and facilitate healing

5/9/2019

Superbugs make hand-washing even more important

Annually, drug-resistant germs infect around 2 million Americans and kill more than 20,000

5/9/2019

Congo sets daily record with 23 new Ebola cases

A surge of cases often happens after attacks on the Ebola response

5/8/2019

Candida auris could spread to 13th state

There are hundreds of cases in surrounding areas

5/8/2019

Nurses at S.C. hospital feared for their safety even before shooting

Hospital leaders are pledging safety improvements

5/8/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Gift shops

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for gift shops

5/8/2019

AI can help close data gaps that can allow drug diversion

AI can identify hidden patterns in daily behavior — including time, location, pain scores, and more.

5/8/2019

Two Legionnaires’ cases reported at Chicago hospital

Mercy has begun flushing its water system, and will alter or replace water fixtures and place filters on sinks

5/7/2019

Levels of power reliability can meet varying facility needs

Strategy creates standardization and collaboration across the entire healthcare enterprise

5/7/2019

Care New England Health System evolves clinic engineering to a holistic strategy

System needed to revise its current policies and practices to align with the new standards

5/7/2019

Sunlight, nature soothing in a healthcare setting

Hospital rooms designed with healing in mind result in a shorter hospital stay

5/7/2019

Hospitals are boosting hygiene practices to fight superbugs

One of the best ways to prevent ransomware attacks is to educate employees

5/7/2019

Legionnaires' disease found in facilities adjacent to California prison hospital

Tests found the bacteria in the water supply at a prison medical facility in Stockton and at two neighboring youth correctional facilities

5/6/2019

Flu season longest in 10 years

The U.S. has experienced 21 consecutive weeks of elevated flu activity

5/6/2019

Hospital safety evolves after historical St. Anthony fire

The fire killed 77 people and lasted just under two hours

5/6/2019

Baton Rouge nurse's death prompts demands for workplace safety

Advocates said the death indicates a persistent threat of workplace violence to medical workers

5/6/2019

Research says non-sporicidal wipes effective against Candida Auris

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of sporicidal disinfectants

5/6/2019

N.Y. facility's technology designed to decrease patient stress

Design team looked for ways to create a calming experience

5/6/2019

VA doesn’t plan to increase security after suicides

It's a balance between providing a safe and accessible environment

5/3/2019

Seismic safety rules expensive for Sonoma County hospitals

Requirements could cost hospitals across the state more than $100 billion

5/3/2019

Two reasons why ambulatory care facilities struggle with infection control standards

The Joint Commission highlights problematic standards for office-based surgery practices

5/3/2019

Can we build better airborne isolation rooms?

Measles outbreaks bring question to forefront

5/3/2019

Food service veteran expects continued heavy chef presence in hospitals

James McGrody, UNC Rex Healthcare, discusses industry and career

5/3/2019

Boston Children’s Hospital using Alexa to help parents and caregivers

Amazon asked healthcare facilities to test Alexa’s new HIPAA-compliant technology

5/2/2019

Cleaning robots could curb spread of 'superbug fungus' in Pa, hospital

Chambersburg Hospital has used UV robots since 2017 in the final step of the cleaning process

5/2/2019

Healthcare design today focusing on patient experience

Facilities are trying to attract healthy patients as well as the sick

5/2/2019

Understand facility needs before implementing best practices

Views on 'best practices' may have to be rethought

5/2/2019

Location-based technologies: A complete infection control solution

With RTLS solutions, healthcare organizations can track hand hygiene compliance and noncompliance events

5/2/2019

Location-based technologies: A complete infection control solution

With RTLS solutions, healthcare organizations can track hand hygiene compliance and noncompliance events

5/2/2019

Calif. investigating Legionnaires' outbreak at prison hospital

One inmate has died and a second inmate tested positive for the bacteria

5/1/2019

Study: Hospital workers can unknowingly spread the flu

Infection control measures in hospitals may be inadequate

5/1/2019

Repeated wearing of clothes increases bacteria for healthcare workers

Level jumps fourfold when clothes are worn more than one shift

5/1/2019

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Cleaning sprinkler heads

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for cleaning sprinkler heads

5/1/2019

Choosing IoT tools for green buildings

Facility managers can create smart buildings with a careful eye on product selection

5/1/2019