- July 2015
'Bedbugs' at Texas hospital turn out to be fleas
Midland Memorial Hospital officials call pest discovery an isolated incident
7/31/2015
Dallas hospital rehearses moving patients to new facility
Faux patients were moved across into the new Parkland Memorial Hospital
7/31/2015
Establishing a facility hygiene plan
Having a plan helps organizations can address critical elements that can contribute to environmental hygiene issues
7/31/2015
Healthcare construction rebounding
The healthcare industry is shifting its spending focus from health information technology to construction
7/31/2015
Hospital IT problems prevent elderly patients from ordering meals
Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth was the first in western Australia to implement a digital medical record system and bedside computers to order food
7/31/2015
Seattle Circuit City reborn as children's clinic
High retail vacancies are generating new opportunities for healthcare tenants
7/31/2015
Johnson Controls extends capacity of YORK magnetic-bearing centrifugal chillers to 165 tons/580 kW
7/31/2015
Florida hospital sewage leak threatened patient safety
Venice Regional Bayfront Health's response to a large sewage leak at the hospital called inadequate
7/30/2015
Qatar women's healthcare facility restricts patient room decorations
Hospital cautions the public against decorations and other unsafe practices to ensure a clean and safe environment
7/30/2015
Design born from NICU challenge still adding improvements
The Institute for Patient-Centered Design's 2013 design competition set out to advance neonatal intensive care unit design, and results are still evolving, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website.
7/30/2015
BIM is changing the healthcare industry, really?
Building Information Modeling is usually considered to be just any other software tool. However, it is also a process that enables the professionals involved with a building construction to become more organized in their efforts as well as manage their data.
7/30/2015
UCLA will test new scope-cleaning machine
UCLA officials are planning to test a new scope-cleaning machine following a superbug outbreak involving three deaths
7/30/2015
Healthcare project design process is changing
Large healthcare system are no longer designing one project at a time
7/30/2015
Savannah hospital has system to prep for hurricanes
St. Joseph's/Candler tracks hurricanes while coordinating efforts with other groups
7/29/2015
Women impersonating staff rob N.C. nursing home residents
Two women who wore hospital scrubs allegedly stole jewelry from residents at two Cary retirement communities earlier this month
7/29/2015
New hospital construction projects increasing
Health systems investing in new facilities again after focusing on health information technology
7/29/2015
Healthcare facility cleaners protesting Vancouver Coastal Health practices
Ex-Aramark employees were expecting to be rehired to cleaning positions within Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) but didn't make the cut
7/29/2015
Washington hospital installs 'hyper-efficient' HVAC system
Whidbey General Hospital's variable refrigerant flow systems save energy and use less ductwork than traditional systems
7/29/2015
Washington hospital installs 'hyper-efficient' HVAC system
Whidbey General Hospital's variable refrigerant flow systems save energy and use less ductwork than traditional systems
7/29/2015
'Day hospitals' are increasing in popularity in S.A.
South Africa is opening more healthcare facilities that can offer accessible and affordable private healthcare
7/29/2015
Healthy Facilities Institute (HFI) Leadership Brief: How Six Sigma Can Help Your Cleaning - Part 1
7/29/2015
Hospital lowers C. diff rates by switching cleaners
St. Luke's Boise (Idaho) Medical Center moves away from beach and start using a bundled approach with a different cleaner
7/28/2015
Getting the best performance from a healthcare facility
Not all of today's high-performance healthcare designs end up living up to their promised performance
7/28/2015
Fire and life safety in healthcare facilities
Four key findings on hospital and healthcare facility projects.
7/28/2015
Determine long-term energy efficiency by analyzing systems
Healthcare facilities have health and safety requirements that make energy reduction difficult
7/28/2015
3-D printed hospitals may be on the horizon
Medical 3-D printing expert says the technology's arrival is inevitable, but will come with challenges, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/28/2015
OSHA investigating assault at Minnesota security hospital
Additional safeguards urged for facility
7/27/2015
Apache tribe in Arizona opens new healthcare facility
The new facility has 15 in-patient beds and will offer a number of medical services
7/27/2015
Confetti for women's soccer parade included medical documents
Strips of confetti were found that made up entire prescriptions with patient names, doctor office address
7/27/2015
Scope of New Parkland Hospital defies industry norms
At 2.1 million square feet, Dallas County, Texas's $1.33 billion, 862-bed New Parkland Hospital is a monumental achievement in more ways than one, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/27/2015
California health systems trying virtual office visits
Systems looking to offer convenient,lower-cost alternatives
7/27/2015
Q&A on security cameras in stairwells
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on security cameras in stairwells
7/27/2015
Fungal-infected bed linen at Hong Kong hospital linked to two patient deaths
Laundry services suspended during investigation of fungal outbreak
7/24/2015
New Texas clinics designed for seniors
Facilities have feature amenities designed for patients 65-and-older
7/24/2015
International projects come with lessons for U.S. healthcare interior designers
International projects often focus on the importance of family
7/24/2015
Bouncing back after a natural disaster
After Sandy, Manhattan VA Medical Center has recovered and ultimately better prepared itself for future natural disasters
7/24/2015
Layered security and internal access controls for healthcare facilities
Each security layer is designed to delay an intruder or attacker as long as possible
7/24/2015
The certified energy manager's role becoming more important in healthcare
The new designation has been created in response to the growing need to manage complex energy projects
7/24/2015
U.S. Water launches revolutionary breakthrough in sustainable & cost-saving cooling water treatment
7/24/2015
N.Y. healthcare facility parking garage collapses
A large chunk of concrete caved in on top of vehicles on the bottom level of the garage
7/23/2015
Command centers are a planning necessity
A hospital command center should be set up for internal or external emergencies that would impact the facility's ability to provide patient care
7/23/2015
N.Y. healthcare facility to save $14.5 million with retrofit
Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira makes infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades
7/23/2015
Partnering for infection prevention
Collaborative working relationships between infection prevention and control and environmental services can reduce rates of infection transmission
7/23/2015
Lean design translates into efficiency, results for ophthalmology practice
The team realized how the design of the space would impact not only their ability to provide efficient care, but the quality of the patient experience as well
7/23/2015
Energy management platform concerns
Energy management platforms have undergone significant advancement and add a new level of intelligence to healthcare facilities
7/23/2015
Company bringing on-demand healthcare facilities to offices, homes
Service launched in Dallas-Fort Worth is providing on-site healthcare that can be delivered within a day's time at the tap of a button
7/22/2015
What defines indoor air quality in healthcare facilities?
Hospitals and healthcare facilities must comply with ASHRAE and other regulatory standards
7/22/2015
Training healthcare staff in a post-Ebola environment
Efforts are underway to re-train health workers and return them to the workforce
7/22/2015
Mobile healthcare facilities bring care to veterans
Mobile clinics help provide medical and wellness care to veterans in need
7/22/2015
Tapping retail design ideas for healthcare
Good design attracts consumers and influences behavior
7/22/2015
Maintaining a barrier management protocol in place
With a protocol in place, a healthcare facility is less vulnerable to vender mistakes
7/22/2015
MDC transforms walls into learning, collaboration and management tools with FUZE dry erase paint
7/22/2015
Studies explore how UV disinfection affects C. diff
Ultraviolet light was linked to a reduction in intensive care unit-acquired Clostridium difficile infections
7/21/2015
Beyond disasters: Benefits of resilient design for healthcare
Resilient design can reduce operating costs and improve health and well being of employees and patients
7/21/2015
Health industry not adopting worker safety protocols
Report says that hospital executives have no plan of action for lowering injuries to nurses
7/21/2015
CDC toolkit latest effort to prevent patient falls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently launched STEADI - Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries
7/21/2015
New 409,000-square-foot neuroscience center built in Columbus
OhioHealth opens facility, one of the largest in the country, at Riverside Methodist Hospital
7/21/2015
Q&A on blood draws in behavioral health corridors
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on blood draws in behavioral health corridors
7/21/2015
LG Electronics' LED commercial lighting solutions approved for Massachusetts utility rebate program
7/21/2015
Columbus hospitals focusing on ER care for elderly
Nurses, social workers, case managers, therapists and geriatricians are working more closely in the emergency department to make sure the needs of older adults are being met
7/20/2015
Flexible designs help healthcare facilities meet future changes
Hospitals today are especially challenged to use their capital investments wisely
7/20/2015
Telehealth could be cost-saver in patient care
Studies expect growth in telehealth for home health care
7/20/2015
Facility Guidelines Institute hosts guide for behavioral healthcare facilities
Updated edition now available on the FGI website
7/20/2015
Huge Nevada hospital project starting
The 245,000-square-foot Henderson Hospital will be part of the Union Village medical complex
7/20/2015
Digital signage uses in healthcare
When a visitor enters a healthcare facility, digital signage can engage and inform
7/20/2015
L.A.'s 'Killer King' hospital gets image upgrade with renovation
The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital replaces the King/Drew Medical Center that closed eight years ago
7/20/2015
Skytron adds revenue cycle improvement and workflow compliance solutions to visibility suite
7/20/2015
Fall prevention technology issues to consider
New products should be balanced with a complete fall prevention strategy
7/17/2015
New Connecticut Ronald McDonald House planned
More services needed as Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital has tripled the number of inpatient and outpatient services
7/17/2015
Children's healthcare facility moves to outpatient model
Shriners for Children Medical Center in Pasadena replaces the existing 1952 hospital in Los Angeles, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/17/2015
Uzbekistan hospitals focus on safety and resilience
WHO/Europe is helping train national experts in applying the Hospital Safety Index
7/17/2015
Healthcare facilities need more cybersecurity personnel
New advances in the industry are creating a need for employees
7/17/2015
Safety issues raised soon after Australia hospital opening
Serious problems, including food safety issues, were reported at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital
7/17/2015
Sterilization unit lapses cause Texas hospital to cancel surgeries
UMC of El Paso cancels elective and non-emergency surgeries after receiving a preliminary denial of accreditation
7/17/2015
Sustainable Materials, LLC introduces Cork Bricks, a cork wall décor product, to the U.S. market
7/17/2015
Oklahoma healthcare facility expansion reflects outpatient trends
Hospital planning an $11 million medical clinic and a $3 million fitness and therapy center
7/16/2015
Environmental services staff called essential to care team
Article discusses vital environmental services at healthcare facilities
7/16/2015
Nursing home improvements urged by HHS
Proposal would improve the care and safety of the nearly 1.5 million residents long-term care residents in U.S.
7/16/2015
Access to nature good for healthcare facility residents
A new study says older adults who with natural spaces have better feelings of renewal, restoration and spiritual connectedness
7/16/2015
Alarm system fails in U.K. hospital fire
Patients and staff were evacuated from Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary following a fire as an alarm system failed
7/16/2015
Healthcare facilities require flexibility and mobility to be successful
The healthcare workforce of today is vastly different to the one of 10 years ago and almost unrecognizable to 20 years ago
7/16/2015
Visualization tools offering more options for healthcare designers
Rapid advancements in technology and software mean these tools come with even more options, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/16/2015
Danfoss showcases advanced, low-GWP ammonia refrigeration systems as a safe, proven technology
7/16/2015
New WoodWorks Torsion Spring Ceiling System from Armstrong offers monolithic look plus plenum access
7/16/2015
Schneider Electric is improving energy efficiency, operating costs and patient satisfaction
7/16/2015
Chicago rehab patient dies of legionella
Officials are working with health facilities the patient had visited to identify possible sources of exposure
7/15/2015
Florida hospital uses art to help patients heal
Volunteers are creating works of art to be displayed throughout hospitals with Lee Memorial Health System
7/15/2015
Healthcare facilities' ground fault protection
Healthcare design starts to add on additional requirements beyond other types of construction
7/15/2015
Cameras in nursing homes popular with families
Nursing homes worried that cameras could compromise what little privacy and dignity residents have left
7/15/2015
Designing for a diverse healthcare workforce
A multigenerational staff has a range of needs, working styles and priorities
7/15/2015
Design challenge seeks new pediatric oncology, behavioral health options
Institute for Patient-Centered Design challenges designers and healthcare providers to collaborate on ideas for better healthcare spaces, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/15/2015
Leaks close Perth hospital operating rooms for a second time
Some areas of Fiona Stanley Hospital were closed and ambulances diverted after flooding
7/15/2015
33 staff at Oregon hospital hit by norovirus
Outbreak sickened more than 30 people working in the pediatric intensive-care unit of Doernbecher Children's Hospital
7/14/2015
Connecting healthcare's form to function
Healthcare facility's strategic plans and building programs often completely disconnected, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/14/2015
N.J. hospital plans $250 million expansion
Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston is adding 241,000 square feet of new construction, 29,000 square feet of renovated space and a new structured parking facility
7/14/2015
Texas hospital increases security after two employees robbed
Two employees were robbed at gunpoint while sitting outside Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital in Humble
7/14/2015
Hospitals named to 2015's Most Wired list
The survey examines how organizations are leveraging IT to improve performance for value-based healthcare
7/14/2015
Tennessee reviews certificate of need process
Reform efforts aims to increase competition and spending among health care organizations
7/14/2015
Tennessee reviews certificate of need process
Reform efforts aims to increase competition and spending among health care organizations
7/14/2015
Fire at Michigan hospital starts during operation
The fire spread to a nearby curtain before it was extinguished
7/13/2015
Projects represent forward-looking design for senior facilities
Rose Villa Pocket Neighborhoods and Town Center and the T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center share an appreciation of the outdoors and a strong sense of shared experience, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website
7/13/2015
White paper on germ-zapping robot available
Paper on Becker's Hospital Review website offers an evidence-based case for ultraviolet light disinfection
7/13/2015
Hospital recycles trees on property to benefit community
Camphor laurel trees were removed from Australia's Nambour General Hospital's new staff and visitor garden
7/13/2015
Study explores cost of Ebola readiness
Researchers are examining the resources hospitals have used and the challenges and benefits of their efforts
7/13/2015
Q&A on sprinkler testing certification
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on sprinkler testing certification
7/13/2015
Lennox Energence ultra rooftop units now available in 15- and 20-ton ultra high-efficiency models
7/13/2015
Hospital ordered to tighten infection control after blood found on mops, footwear
Inspectors says standards need to improve at Scottish hospital in order to reduce the risk of infection
7/10/2015
Health facility managers survey stressed training
Health Facilities Management salary survey conducted with the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE)
7/10/2015
Hospices install comforting gardens
Facilities around the country are creating hospice gardens to bring patients closer to nature, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website
7/10/2015
Construction begins on N.Y. medical campus
Orange Regional Medical Center is building a medical office building and a cancer center at the hospital's main campus
7/10/2015
Jacksonville health facility incorporates new technologies
University of Florida Health Jacksonville's new facility has point-of-care registration, kiosks and real-time location systems
7/10/2015
Guaranteeing healthcare facility backup power
On-site backup power equipment can ensure reliability, safety and productivity
7/10/2015
Illinois hospitals prepare for tornadoes
Staffs monitor local weather and revisit and practice their emergency plans
7/10/2015
Thief dressed as hospital employee robs patient in hospital room
Elderly patient in Bridgeton, Mo., robbed of jewelry, purse
7/9/2015
Two reasons why healthcare call centers need to focus on business value
Data shows that call centers are not well equipped for the future. Agents are still telephony-centric, making limited use of other modes such as chat.
7/9/2015
Senior facilities evolving with baby boomers
One of the few constant ideas for new senior facilities is the desire for a higher level of human dignity. The heart of the environment is no longer a hospital but rather a place that has the comforts of home, according to an article on the Environments for Aging website
7/9/2015
Medical equipment maintenance demands more resources
New Joint Commission regulations and standards for maintenance were recently announced
7/9/2015
Illinois considers in-room security cameras for nursing homes
Illinois would become the fourth state in the U.S. to allow video and audio monitoring devices in nursing homes
7/9/2015
Surveillance/intervention boosts hand hygiene
Cameras positioned at hand-hygiene stations and immediate one-on-one intervention improves compliance
7/9/2015
High school students invent metal detector for hospital laundry
An alarm alerts employees to potential danger and the system automatically records the incident
7/8/2015
Fire service orders UK hospital to improve safety
Serious concerns relate to fire proofing materials in the hospital which do not meet the required 60-minute protection standard
7/8/2015
GPS devices can improve security for dementia patients
New study in Norway says patients experienced increased levels of physical activity using GPS devices
7/8/2015
Study says copper destroys human norovirus quickly
Ten minutes' exposure was enough to kill the receptor-binding ability of human norovirus virus-like particles
7/8/2015
McLaren Port Huron plans $162 million expansion, renovation
Port Huron, Mich., healthcare facility campus will renovate about 100,000 square feet of existing patient floors with a redesign of most inpatient services
7/8/2015
Nurses' station design caught between therapy and safety
Best practices for nurses' station design often revolve around whether the station should be open or enclosed, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/8/2015
PDI celebrates fourth annual Be The Difference Day with donation to troops and local food shelter
7/8/2015
Healthcare construction uptick expected after Supreme Court decision
The Supreme Court affirmation may unleash spending on healthcare construction, which has been 'moribund' since the law's 2010 signing
7/7/2015
Mural is centerpiece of comfort-focused design
The lobby greets patients and visitors with an 80-foot mural depicting natural landscapes lining the curved walls.
7/7/2015
OSHA healthcare inspections to target common injury causes
The agency is expanding its use of enforcement resources in hospitals and nursing homes
7/7/2015
Multi-disciplinary practice sites becoming more common
Centers can improve provider satisfaction as well as benefit patients
7/7/2015
Hospitals RFID chips focus on patient safety
University of Vermont Medical Center tracks medications, kits using radio frequency identification technology
7/7/2015
Healthcare design research needs replication
Healthcare designers needs opportunities to share findings and get a better handle on what we really do and don't know, according to a blog on the Healthcare Design website
7/7/2015
'Luxury hotel-inspired' healthcare facility planned in Michigan
A new post-hospital care provider will offer 'suite recovery' in Ypsilanti
7/6/2015
BlackBerry may go bacteria-free for hospitals
Company considering a bacteria-free smartphone to become the secure mobile choice for the healthcare industry
7/6/2015
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital set new benchmarks for sustainability
The $281.5 million, 84-bed, Sutter Health's Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital is one of the first hospitals in California to earn LEED Gold certification, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/6/2015
Escalation - managing the risk
Given the projected construction spending growth, many experts are now anticipating escalation growth at 3.5% for 2015, and hinting at even higher rates for 2016
7/6/2015
Uniforms raise concerns at Perth hospital
A mandatory uniform for staff at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Australia has comfort and safety issues
7/6/2015
Report says hospital food can be a hazard
Hospital patients with special dietary needs could have allergic reactions or swallowing problems
7/6/2015
Saudi hospital design adapted to new site
The designers of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, needed to adapt to the new site conditions, develop the master plan and expand the new hospital to 1,200 beds, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/2/2015
Pennsylvania hospitals boost patient security
Monongahela Valley, Uniontown hospitals implement new technology and increase visitor security policies
7/2/2015
Hospitals considering patient lifts face challenges
Retrofitting rooms with ceiling-mounted lifts would increase staff use of assist equipment
7/2/2015
Robots may improve healthcare efficiency
Robotics can provide additional capacity and capability to unmet needs
7/2/2015
Healthcare facilities find new funding sources for infrastructure upgrades
Federal tax programs and many state and local incentives are available
7/2/2015
Schneider Electric introduces AccuSine+ Active Harmonic Filtering to correct power quality issues
7/2/2015
California hospital accused of having maggots in cafeteria food and patient's nose
Accusations by Healthcare workers with SEIU-UHW allege the hospital is operating in unsafe and unsanitary conditions
7/1/2015
Patient room standardization urged
Patient rooms that are designed for specific populations are at risk of being obsolete almost as soon as they're built, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/1/2015
Fixtures shine germ-zapping light in hospitals
A Wisconsin company will soon begin marketing bacteria-killing light fixtures to fight hospital-acquired infections
7/1/2015
Lean construction can cut healthcare costs
Techniques can improve efficiency in design, construction and operations
7/1/2015
Improving behavioral healthcare facility design
Today's designs for behavioral healthcare facilities have become an part of the treatment process
7/1/2015
Q&A on UL labels vs. an ETL labels
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on UL labels vs. an ETL labels
7/1/2015