Trending News - February 2014
Hospitals ban sugary drinks
New Zealand healthcare facilities will phase out soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and flavored milk
2/28/2014
Pennsylvania predicts huge need for nursing home beds
State is trying to avoid spikes in the nursing home population by funding services that will allow older residents to live independently at home
2/28/2014
Technology, common sense key for hospital security
In addition to employee vigilance, cameras and security measures are in place to protect prescription drugs and other valuables
2/28/2014
Modeling can increase energy efficiency
Advanced tools enable facilities teams and their energy-industry partners to use net present value (NPV)-based cost analysis
2/28/2014
Health IT security facing 'perfect storm'
Rapidly evolving technology, policy changes and facility consolidation are creating new security demands
2/28/2014
Healthcare changes spur retail, urgent care clinics growth
Customer demand and shifts in health-care policy have fostered a rapidly expanding business
2/28/2014
Healthcare Design magazine honors construction/ business executive
Carlos Gonzalez and his team completed construction on the 1 million-square-foot, $456 million Camp Pendleton replacement hospital project in October 2013
2/28/2014
Exploring Presbyterian Healthcare Services patient experience efforts
Presbyterian began addressing the issue of experience in 2005. The efforts have engaged leaders and driven significant cultural and organizational changes
2/28/2014
How hospitals stay open during extreme weather
Medical centers have needed to deal with everything from staffing shortages to busted pipes to power outages during the past few months
2/27/2014
Healthcare Design magazine honors educator
James Shraiky is the founder of the Healthcare Design Initiatives department at Arizona State University
2/27/2014
Patient safety progress called 'excruciatingly slow'
Hospitals need more incentives to to make patient care safer, public health expert says
2/27/2014
Fire alarm system upgrade Q&A
When renovating part of a building, does the fire alarm system in the existing area of the building need to be upgraded as well?
2/27/2014
Proper lab ventilation needed to protect to life and property
Understanding the codes and standards that guide laboratory ventilation design is key
2/27/2014
Survey: Top-level support lacking at health care data centers
Only 30 percent of the health care facilities surveyed say they have top-management support
2/27/2014
Pakistan makes medical waste top health priority
The government had given priority to environmental health, medical waste management and infection control
2/27/2014
Cedars-Sinai Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion gets LEED-NC Gold certification
The exterior of the pavilion features a double-facade, high-performance glass skin that reduces heat gain and glare while providing a comfortable interior environment
2/27/2014
California legislation aimed at improving elder care
Bay Area lawmakers create package to demand changes within the state Department of Social Services
2/26/2014
Study finds low rate of infections following ambulatory surgery
The absolute number of patients with these complications is still substantial, according to JAMA
2/26/2014
ASHE announces sustainability partners
American Society for Healthcare Engineering announces the first 10 allies to the Sustainability Roadmap program
2/26/2014
Healthcare should partner with retail
A healthcare presence in a retail setting will be an essential strategy in meeting the expectations of the restructured health system
2/26/2014
VA initiative slashes MRSA rates
A nationwide initiative at 133 of the VA's long-term care facilities found that using a bundled approach to prevention helped to cut overall MRSA rates by 36 percent
2/26/2014
Healthcare Design magazine honors facility manager
Mitch Goplen, vice president of facility services for the Billings Clinic, oversees more than 1 million square feet of facility space
2/26/2014
Hospital CFOs should consider green strategies
Factoring in sustainability can improve communities but also offset financial pressures
2/26/2014
Study says healthcare organizations under siege from cyberattacks
In addition to getting access to patient files and information, the attackers infiltrated devices such as radiology imaging software, conferencing systems, printers, firewalls, Web cameras and mail servers
2/25/2014
Technology gaps threaten post-acute facilities
Without better technology capabilities, about half of providers surveyed predict they will be bought out by more capable companies by 2015
2/25/2014
'Take Care' worksite health centers accredited as patient-centered medical homes
Walgreen's worksite health centers are staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners and other medical professionals, and offer services including primary care, pharmacy, occupational health, fitness, chronic condition management, physical therapy, dental and vision
2/25/2014
CMS proposes emergency preparedness rule
Proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule would require all hospitals to develop a plan
2/25/2014
Healthcare Design magazine honors Rising Star
David Ruthven, co-lead and creative director, NXT Health, gained national attention for the Patient Room 2020 project
2/25/2014
Construction begins for new $120M hospital tower in Hawaii
Kapiolani Health Foundation begins multiphase plan to rebuild nonprofit hospital
2/25/2014
Network technology becoming fourth utility in healthcare construction
Technology joins mechanical, electrical and plumbing as role in healthcare increases
2/25/2014
Designing for EHRs in today's healthcare facility
Process map, systems analysis and staff training keys to successful plan
2/25/2014