- September 2013
Behaviorial Healthcare survey details 40 electronic health record systems
Survey is magazine's annual look at the growing range of information technology products and solutions from vendors who serve the behavioral health industry.
9/30/2013
Infection control should be part of disaster plan
Guide for for ambulatory care centers on infection prevention during disasters recently released
9/30/2013
Take a photo tour of Mercy Health - Rookwood Medical Center
Cincinnati health center project's highly visible location came with it's own set of challenges
9/30/2013
Five blog entries from National Health IT Week
MedCityNews.com gathers five blog entries from National IT Week discussions
9/30/2013
Methodist Hospital of Southern California cybersecurity program honored
ECRI Institute's 2013 Award recognizes an outstanding initiative undertaken by member healthcare institution that improves patient safety, reduces costs
9/27/2013
Collaboration key to solving challenges of rehab hospital project
Craig Hospital project architects gain perspective by immersion in 'Craig way'
9/27/2013
Five ways to link health information technology, quality measurement
AHRQ Report offers tips on engaging patients, connecting data
9/25/2013
UK company develops keyboards to help reduce HAI risk
Keyboards have flat design with no raised or recessed surfaces and monitors and ability of monitor own cleaning status
9/25/2013
AHE elects two at-large board members
Association for the Healthcare Environment president re-appointed
9/25/2013
Demand for nurse informaticists ramps up
Nursing informatics blends nursing science, information science and computer science
9/25/2013
Honored hospice design focuses on resident-centered care
Private conversation area for families, residential style restrooms contribute to homey feel
9/25/2013
Take the long view when investing in health care data
There may not be a clear pay-off at first, but data is the key to trimming health care costs
9/25/2013
Bridgeport Hospital builds new plaza to improve safety of entrance
The $5 million project includes greenery, a sheltered walkway and a water sculpture
9/25/2013
Are hospitals getting too posh?
With some new healthcare facilities becoming harder to differentiate from hotels - how is cost, care effected?
9/25/2013
Healthcare Design magazine announces 2013 Remodel-Renovation winners
Six projects honored in fourth annual competition
9/24/2013
CRE infections tracked by state
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology put together summary of states with superbug issue
9/24/2013
New ASHRAE reference guides hospital HVAC design
Guidelines focus on system filtration, temperature, humidity, air change, pressurization and exhaust
9/24/2013
White paper: Defining a framework to meet healthcare technology challenges
White paper discusses the issues healthcare facilities face when implementing and integrating new technology.
9/24/2013
Hospitals make significant progress in disaster readiness
Drilling and education has paid off since 9/11, anthrax
9/24/2013
Healthcare can be fixed by design
Wired Q&A talks to consultant about how to bring human-centered design to a complex system
9/24/2013
Renovation of Stanford's Hoover Pavilion balances preservation and practicality
Space houses clinics, physicians’ offices, a health library, and a pharmacy
9/24/2013
Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council seeks nominations for 2014-2016 board
Four HLAC positions in three director classes are open
9/24/2013
Klein and Nello Wall Systems team up to offer complete modular frameless glass office environments
9/24/2013
Study shows patients prefer digital communication over print
Most visitors and patients said digital content enhanced the hospital experience
9/23/2013
How to purchase hospital products on a budget
Easy tips and tricks that can cut down on spending
9/23/2013
Energy savings project reveals potential hospital catastrophe
The potential hazard that was overlooked for 20 years was scary, but not unusual
9/23/2013
Healthcare IT security is difficult, but not impossible
Planning and thorough security risk analysis needed
9/23/2013
Residential facilities get new pediatric infection prevention guidelines
Patients vulnerable to infection and their families are at risk of exposure to infectious pathogens in common areas
9/23/2013
Chemotherapy delivery given kid-friendly makeover
Designers look to rubber duckies and superheroes to make experience a little easier
9/23/2013
IBM to build analytics platform for NYC hospital system
New platform will standardize information from patients, providers, locations and reimbursement codes
9/23/2013
Design shouldn't be all about the end result
Blog suggests that doing an "archaeological dig" into client's journey will enhance understanding of goals
9/23/2013
Stairwell Light Fixture integrates occupancy sensor to cut annual electricity use by 50-75 percent
9/23/2013
Siemon's new MAX TurboTool significantly reduces Category 5e and Category 6 termination times
9/23/2013
MRSA infections fall by more than 50% in U.S. hospitals
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows drop from 2005-2011
9/20/2013
Claims data called crucial for ACO analytics
Clinical data from electronic health records seen as insufficient for analytic purposes
9/20/2013
HHS awards $5.3 million for health IT in rural areas
Grants will help expand the rural health information technology workforce and the use of telehealth
9/20/2013
India hospital planted in a garden setting
Tata Medical Center designed to be open, transparent, and welcoming
9/20/2013
How long will health care boom last in Dallas/Forth Worth?
Parkland Memorial Hospital is the nation's largest health care construction projects in progress
9/20/2013
Three ways big data is changing healthcare
Preventative care, better quality, and decreased costs link to new technology
9/20/2013
4 findings on healthcare facility design's effect on HAIs
Contact, air, water, and spatial separation cited as key factors in study
9/20/2013
Take a photo tour of LourdesCare facility in N.J.
The 55,000-square-foot ambulatory care center was converted from a vacant supermarket
9/20/2013
Vermont hospitals commit to a healthier future
Vermont is the first state to commit to enrolling all of its hospitals
9/19/2013
New IT degree with health care focus offered
Information-related job growth in the health care field is expected to increase by 21 percent between 2010 and 2020
9/19/2013
How does a community hospital manage data growth?
Watertown, N.Y., hospital streamlining how it manages and backs up data
9/19/2013
Little momentum seen for local food movement in Ontario health care system
Systemic issues - rather than philosophical ones - called the biggest barrier
9/19/2013
Is equipment financing the right solution for HIT investments?
10 questions for decision makers to ask before they invest
9/19/2013
Learning HIM from experts
Geisinger, Intermountain are ahead of the curve managing health information.
9/19/2013
Heart of Healthcare award winners named
AHE and Kimberly-Clark honor environmental services technicians for infection prevention efforts
9/19/2013
Adult hospitals could take a lesson from children's facilities
Warm, cheerful lighting, family-centered spaces, single-patient rooms and engaged staff make a huge difference
9/19/2013
Healthcare designers can learn from office design
The increasing use of wireless technologies to diagnose and treat patients requires that healthcare organizations create different types of spaces
9/18/2013
NHS Change Day making a difference, organizers say
Over 189,000 pledges were made to improve patient experience and/or clinical outcomes
9/18/2013
Rush Memorial Hospital named 2013 Most Wired
Magazine survey polls hospitals and health systems regarding their IT initiatives
9/18/2013
Design of Alaskan clinic reflects culture of patients
Building 'shouts' the Athabascan culture in its colors, forms and artwork
9/18/2013
N.J. firm stays busy in health care construction
Nursing home specialist partnering for new rehabilitation center
9/18/2013
Unplanned data center outages slightly less common, but still a challenge, survey finds
Most respondents in the study stated that they would rather walk barefoot over hot coals than have their data center go down
9/18/2013
Where are the 50 greenest hospitals in America?
Attention to carbon emissions, medical waste, water consumption, unhealthy food, fossil fuels and climate change are part of the hospital mission
9/18/2013
Advances in nurse call system technology offer new, better care options
Once-optional features - including systems integration and handheld abilities - now standard.
9/18/2013
Outpatient and research facility designed to encourage foot traffic
Boston building built like a busy city to encourage unplanned encounters and random meetings
9/17/2013
Singapore launches green building initiative
Agency study shows retrofitted buildings already saving $24 million a year
9/17/2013
Cancer treatment waiting room redesigned just for kids
Staff-driven project was inspired by young cancer patient
9/17/2013
Healthcare building facades create a positive first impression
Four examples of inspiring designs make an immediate connection with patients
9/17/2013
Recycling big-box retail into sustainable healthcare space
Deconstructing a facility can present more challenges than starting from scratch
9/17/2013
Need for data reshaping HIM professions
Health information managers seeing new demand and new roles
9/17/2013
Survey ranks health care facilities second for suspect hand-washing habits
Only restaurants rank higher for locations that Americans are 'most concerned' about others not washing their hands
9/17/2013
Hospitals need the right tools to tackle sustainability
The willingness is there, but resources and time are often in short supply
9/17/2013
Acuity Brands makes converting downlights to LED easy with RV Series From Lithonia Lighting
9/17/2013
Combined heat and power systems reduce energy use and outage risk
Regulations often stand in the way as utilities' profits take a hit
9/16/2013
Hospitals working to increase community access to healthier food
Research shows eating more produce could save 100,000 lives and $17 billion annually
9/16/2013
Can social networking help solve EHR interoperability?
Benefits of sharing and commenting on records within dedicated social networks discussed
9/16/2013
Residents protest Utah medical waste incinerator
North Salt Lake plant accused of blanketing the region in toxic smoke
9/16/2013
Planning a healthcare analytics strategy
DotMed.com proposes three questions to ask before you begin
9/16/2013
C. Diff rates nearly doubled 10 years
Data comes from analysis of U.S. National Hospital Discharge Surveys from 2001 to 2010
9/16/2013
Singapore hospital designed with a 'Four Seasons' influence
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, specializing in heart and vascular treatment, neurosciences, orthopedics, and surgery, aspires to be 'hospital of the future'
9/16/2013
Palliative care unit designs focus on calm and comfort
Quiet, homelike atmostphere key to de-stressing patients and families
9/16/2013
Report shows Massachusetts hospitals can save $700,000 per year with combined heat and power systems
9/16/2013
Health system embraces earthbound data storage
Not all health data storage solutions are in the cloud in "conservative" strategy
9/13/2013
C-change: the chief experience officer joins the executive circle
Patient experiences have a financial impact with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
9/13/2013
Maintaining attractive design elements key to patient satisfaction
Budget limitations another reason to purchase and manage furnishings cost-effectively
9/13/2013
Data on EHR problems causes concern
Software default value-related incidents resulted in unsafe conditions or prolonged hospitalization
9/13/2013
Hospitals look past codes to set power reliability minimums
Recent natural disasters spark proactive infrastructure upgrades
9/13/2013
Patient barcoding introduced to curb medication errors
Colorado hospital uses coded bracelets to monitor drugs, dosages, and timing
9/13/2013
Technology is layered in hybrid OR suite
Complex design process includes hundreds of variables to intregrate operating rooms with diagnostics services suites
9/13/2013
Acuity Brands makes converting downlights to LED easy with RV Series from Lithonia Lighting
9/13/2013
Geisinger Medical Center honored for environmental services excellence
Magazine names facility ES Department of the Year
9/12/2013
Charlottesville hospital takes closer look at safety
Daily safety huddles at Martha Jefferson hospital brings departments together
9/12/2013
Data called most enduring asset in any healthcare organization
Health IT expert offers tips on balanced data governance
9/12/2013
Stricter hospital alarm rules will start in 2014
'Alarm fatigue' blamed for change in Joint Commission regulations
9/12/2013
Stricter hospital alarm rules will start in 2014
'Alarm fatigue' blamed for change in Joint Commission regulations
9/12/2013
10 ways that healthcare quality impacts costs
Impact goes beyond much-reported $9.8 billion annual infection price tag
9/12/2013
Updated Life Safety Code waiver rule allows bigger trash cans
The update balances "unreasonable hardship" for facilities and resident safety
9/12/2013
The operating room is redefined as new technologies emerge
Careful planning and design can benefit patient care and cost efficiency
9/12/2013
Protective gloves get used and abused
Blog maintains gloves effectiveness only as potent as the overall commitment to safety
9/12/2013
NetworkThermostat announces two new thermostats UP32H-IP and UP32H-WIFI with humidity sensing
9/12/2013
Pegasus Building Services offers new fogging services for microorganism, infection and mold control
9/12/2013
Download free patient safety tools
Most popular items include Hospital Decontamination Self-Assessment and Healthcare Teamwork and Communication Toolkit
9/11/2013
Designing a hybrid OR in a limited space requires leap of faith
Collaborative planning and flexible equipment choices were also crucial
9/11/2013
VNA can be antidote to proprietary health care data
Technology can translate data to a consistent format and enable communication across disparate entities
9/11/2013
Restroom design can influence perception of facility
Poor design choices can create a bad first impression
9/11/2013
New beds improve safety at Marshfield hospital
Replacing 90% of the facility's beds costs $4.9 million
9/11/2013
Boston rehab hospital designed to be as inclusive, sustainable and accessible
Architectural details reflect waterfront location as play a role in patients' healing process
9/11/2013
It's Environmental Services and Housekeeping Week!
Celebration includes free daily webinars for members
9/11/2013
Cloud computing reduces HIPAA compliance risk
IT systems that enable secure sharing of information without the need to transport a safer bet
9/11/2013
$10.9M construction contract approved for two Texas clinics
West Odessa clinic - slated for a summer/fall 2014 opening - will be the first urgent care in the area
9/10/2013
Study puts hospital infections price tag at $9.8 billion annually
Recent JAMA Internal Medicine report reviewed data from 1998-2013
9/10/2013
Six steps for a successful waste management program
Arkansas Children's Hospital shares methods for dealing with medical waste
9/10/2013
Design elements examined in reducing fall risks
Looking at a range of factors - related to the patient and the environment - together found to be most effective
9/10/2013
Bipartisan Policy Center calls for health IT oversight framework
BPC seeks response that engages health care stakeholders, protects patient safety, supports learning and promotes innovation
9/10/2013
Financial incentives ineffective to fight healthcare-acquired infections
Health-plan financed infection fighting can actually a financial boon, blog says
9/10/2013
Top 10 reasons for implementing a new matting system
Change of season, increased safety, green cleaning system cited as reasons to think mats
9/10/2013
Joint Commission sites 5 toughest ambulatory care standards
Four of the top five 2013 standards made the 2012 list
9/10/2013
Horizon Eye Care adopts InteliChart patient portal to streamline patient-provider communication
9/10/2013
Daylighting window film shows potential to significantly reduce lighting energy use in buildings
9/10/2013
Advocate sued after huge data breach
Four unencrypted laptops were stolen from its facility in the second largest data breach to date
9/9/2013
How important is hospital security?
Tips and tricks to better protect healthcare institutions
9/9/2013
Hospitals make slow progress toward sustainability
Survey shows hospitals say that environmental sustainability is important, but are at varying stages of initiatives
9/9/2013
Healthcare industry needs to do more to prevent hospital-acquired infections
To err is human, to continually not protect against it is institutional failure
9/9/2013
New federal rule highlighted after sprinkler system saves nursing home residents
Fire sprinklers required in all U.S. long-term care facilities as of previous month
9/9/2013
Where do 'superbugs' hide in hospital rooms?
Ten common patient touch points are where most environmental cultures are obtained
9/9/2013
National Health IT Week kicks off Sept. 16
Week-long celebration includes Health IT Technology Showcase and Policy Summit
9/9/2013
Ensuring fail-safe power in emergencies
Constant power through the hospital's critical power supply depends on all components functioning properly
9/6/2013
Tips from Joint Commission on survey readiness
Medication management updates are key for 2013: Red flags may include automated dispensing cabinets and therapeutic duplication
9/6/2013
Michigan Green Healthcare Conference to focus on food
Event will showcase sustainable approaches for hospitals in food and other areas
9/6/2013
Study says hospital-acquired infections cost $10 billion a year
Five most common health care-associated infections effect one of 20 each year
9/6/2013
North Carolina long-term acute care / inpatient rehabilitation hospital nearly finished
New $40 million facility will be a joint venture between Carolinas HealthCare System Rehabilitation and Carolinas Specialty Hospital
9/6/2013
Design-build renovations can cut costs, problems in hospital projects
Design-build avoids potential problems by enabling coordination before construction, which can save money and time
9/6/2013
Emerson Network Power reports electrical codes should more strongly address onsite power location
9/6/2013
Cancer patients' special needs drive design decisions
A soothing environment can help mitigate stress, raise comfort levels and create better psychological health
9/5/2013
Many hospitals at risk for EHR penalties
Small, rural U.S. hospitals not meeting electronic health record requirements
9/5/2013
Would FDA-regulated IT systems make health care safer?
Doctor says yes: Electronic medical records, digital imaging, provider order entry and test results are core medical functions
9/5/2013
Green healthcare design's big price tag largely a myth
Study shows cost increase of 1-2 percent for LEED certified projects
9/5/2013
Has hand hygiene in hospitals gone too far?
Doctor takes the gloves off in blog extolling the necessity of touch in patient care
9/5/2013
Digital age brings new issues to video monitoring
Bandwidth a key challenge as surveillance systems evolve
9/4/2013
Nursing homes, long-term facilities behind in EHR
Lack of funding, financial incentives and penalties are sited as key obstacles to adoption
9/4/2013
New research explores hospital indoor air quality and infection control
Two studies look at open-plan ward design, ventilation strategies and energy management
9/4/2013
Sound-absorbing ceiling tile can help improve hospital acoustics
Technology, planning and design choices can also help avoid noise in patient rooms
9/4/2013
Designers must balance safety and comfort at psychiatric hospitals
Facilities should reflect input from clinical staffers and former patients
9/4/2013
Joint Commission International releases hospital standards
Fifth edition addresses new and substantially updated standards that take effect April 1, 2014
9/4/2013
C. difficile management may not be infection control problem
CDC report finds most patients carried bacteria at time of admission
9/3/2013
Ambulatory care facilities have unique design challenges
Lean process improvement, shared medical appointments, telehealth services just some of the factors to consider
9/3/2013
Conversion of retail sites to healthcare has a price
Convenient locations may increase patient buy-in to wellness
9/3/2013
Hospital Healthy Food Initiative works to improve hospital dietary standards
National organization joins with hospitals and food providers to provide better options
9/3/2013
8 tips on keeping facilities clean, green, and healthy
Transition to fall perfect time for review procedures
9/3/2013
High-level data security, flexibility seen in the cloud
Cloud-hosted data harder to access for thieves, but easier for health care providers
9/3/2013