Facility Operations

What hospitals can learn from the Parkview Medical shutdown

The good news is COVID-19 is not resistant to disinfectants

6/4/2020

Products to fight COVID-19

The good news is COVID-19 is not resistant to disinfectants

6/4/2020

The key to an effective emergency plan

The program should address a range of emergencies

6/4/2020

How nursing homes can bolster infection control

Infection control in skilled nursing facilities has come under scrutiny

6/3/2020

Manufacturers and providers – Superheroes in fighting healthcare cybercrime

More and more medical devices are wirelessly connected to the Internet and also to healthcare facility networks and their respective sensitive devices

6/3/2020

How cloud-integrated robotics can make your budget and staff more efficient – choose to make a difference today

The U.S. healthcare system must look for opportunities to automate tedious tasks

6/3/2020

Cleaning strategies during coronavirus pandemic

Focus on cleaning and disinfecting common areas where staff and others providing services

6/3/2020

Banner Health launching virtual waiting room

COVID-19 is expected to bring changes to maintain social distancing guidelines

6/2/2020

Facilities could be liable if healthcare personnel test positive for coronavirus

If an employee tests positive for coronavirus they contracted while working, or they unknowingly brought the disease to work and infected others, employers can be held liable for a workers’ compensation claim

6/2/2020

HVAC considerations for healthy offices

HVAC and cleaning strategies can create emotional safety for workers

6/2/2020

Pandemic will change how environmental service teams operate

Before the pandemic, infection prevention in healthcare facilities focused on hospital-acquired infections

6/1/2020

How Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is working to keeping facility safe

The hospital is encouraging families not to delay needed care for their children

6/1/2020

Longterm care facilities face challenges battling Covid 19

One of these challenges is the continued struggle to keep PPE in stock

6/1/2020

Optimizing physical spaces for telehealth

In 2020 alone, experts predict virtual visits will soar to more than one billion, with more than 900 million visits related to COVID-19

6/1/2020

Creating an N95 mask disinfection facility for less Than $15,000

Health system is offering a free instruction manual

5/29/2020

Healthcare cook stitches masks for customers at Pittsburgh hospital during pandemic

Her design includes pockets!

5/29/2020

Houston hospital installs touchless temperature cameras

The cameras can scan whoever crosses their path, alerting users instantly if an elevated temperature is present

5/29/2020

Cybersecurity not just a technology problem

Continual education and reinforcement of staff is key

5/29/2020

A million N95 masks is not what it used to be

In normal, pre-Covid-19 times, that would be a large supply. Now, not so much.

5/28/2020

Aspergillus mold discovered again at Seattle Children’s hospital

The hospital has had mold issues for nearly 20 years and has been linked to seven deaths

5/28/2020

Mattresses choices can help with COVID-19 infection control

Many healthcare facilities use porous mattresses that may allow the virus to enter the medium and contaminate them

5/28/2020

Resiliency can assure a safe environment of care

Energy resiliency remains the key factor in maintaining normal operations

5/28/2020

Cleaning for healthy workplaces during pandemic

Focus on cleaning and disinfecting common areas where staff and others providing services might come into contact with ill persons

5/28/2020

Equipment and environment need infection control attention

Coronavirus can remain on surfaces long after a patient infects a certain area or item

5/28/2020

Lessons From South Korea on the role of infection control in flattening the curve

South Korea has incorporated hospital infection control as a core component of its national COVID-19 containment strategy

5/27/2020

What labs can teach us about safely returning to offices

Research has shown that buildings with poor indoor air quality (inadequate ventilation, filtration or humidity control) can promote the spread of airborne bacterial or viral infections

5/27/2020

CDC says COVID-19 does not easily spread from contaminated surfaces

But it appears that the virus can spread from people to animals

5/27/2020

Disaster preparedness – considerations on cyber security and resiliency

Planning starts with the end result in mind, but along the way, there are other key goalposts

5/27/2020

The CDC releases official reopening guidelines

Document came about two weeks after the White House reportedly tabled the guidelines

5/26/2020

N.C.’s pandemic medical shelter to go dormant but won’t be dismantled

The shelter can be made ready to take patients within four or five days

5/26/2020

Infection prevention and control in the hospitals of Wuhan

Shelter hospitals have higher risks of nosocomial infection than general hospitals

5/26/2020

Sustainable hospital design reduces environmental impact while improving performance

By focusing on details such as building orientation, sustainably-sourced materials, better water systems, and increased daylighting, architects can design hospitals that are mindful of the environment

5/26/2020

What Ghana has to teach US healthcare

The level of healthcare in Ghana is currently very low, whereas the level of healthcare in the U.S. is considerably higher, but they are facing the same concerns

5/26/2020

Hospital cutting food waste and cost

Providence Health trimming unnecessary food expenditures

5/26/2020

Hospitals use online matchmakers to exchange supplies

Online platforms have emerged to match hospitals that need masks, gowns and ventilators with those that have extras

5/22/2020

US says it won’t use Russian ventilators after deadly hospital fire

Russia stopped using them following a fire in a St. Petersburg hospital that killed five patients with Covid-19

5/22/2020

Nursing home won't allow granny cam in resident's room

Family asking for camera during Covid lockdown

5/22/2020

Hospital procedural change blamed for 6 nurses testing positive

Syracuse hospital told nurses it was no longer necessary to wear N95 masks and that surgical masks are enough

5/22/2020

Mastering the master planning process

Evolving market requires new master planning approaches

5/22/2020

Areas outside nursing home resident rooms key to infection control

Residents have frequent contact with staff and the environment outside of their rooms

5/22/2020

Documenting pandemic poses safety challenge

Photographer is documenting the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of patients and staff

5/21/2020

20 years of closing hospitals in N.Y. hampers capacity during pandemic

State and healthcare leaders eliminated 20,000 hospital beds over the past two decades

5/21/2020

Clean energy microgrid built for Covid-19 hospital in migrant camp

Batteries combined with photovoltaics provide power for the pop-up clinic

5/21/2020

Illuminating the importance of emergency and exit lights

Facility managers should understand the role of emergency and exit lighting and the importance of maintaining these units

5/21/2020

Effective surface preparation key to successful painting projects

Managers who understand the importance of ensuring that workers perform effective surface preparation are more likely to produce successful applications

5/21/2020

Technology can boost hand-hygiene compliance by 45%

The study, originally featured in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) stated that hand-hygiene compliance rates provided by the traditional direct observation method did not accurately reflect baseline rates.

5/21/2020

Ventilator examined after fires kill six in Russia

Some of the ventilators have been sent to the United States, though not used

5/20/2020

Florida strengthens COVID-19 testing in longterm care facilities

The orders require nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to allow the Florida Department of Health into their buildings for infection control and conducting COVID-19 testing

5/20/2020

Wisconsin nursing home took aggressive steps to halt coronavirus

Autumn Oaks Assisted Living in Slinger once faced four active cases of coronavirus

5/20/2020

How to contain infection risk during hospital construction

Early discussion and risk assessment associated are key to minimizing the potential impact

5/20/2020

Impact of superbugs on infection control strategies

Currently, superbugs cause twice as many deaths in the U.S. as they did six years ago

5/20/2020

Experts suggest public restrooms and offices should be re-engineered to control infections

Hand washing can be useless if people have to touch unclean surfaces

5/19/2020

CMS draft guidelines for reopening nursing homes

Some industry officials and infection-control experts are worried that moving too fast could increase the risks

5/19/2020

Early planning of fire safety systems can saves time, money

Fire suppression and alarm systems, fire protection water supply and life safety features should be planned for before construction begins

5/19/2020

Hospital patients require better food service and it's improving bottom lines

Factors such as a general uptick in health conscious consumers have put food service on the front burner

5/19/2020

New Carrier OptiClean Negative Air Machine to Help Hospitals Slow Spread of COVID-19

5/19/2020

Hospitals struggle to restart elective care after shutdowns

Reopening will be difficult with the threat of more infection

5/18/2020

Pa. had plan to protect nursing home during pandemic that was never fully implemented

A more limited effort wasn’t activated until mid-April, long after major outbreaks had already taken hold

5/18/2020

Nursing homes, veterans’ homes are Covid-19 hotspots

Long-term care facilities are the overlooked epicenters of the pandemic.

5/18/2020

Legionnaires' plan: Prevent, detect, treat

Legionnaires’ disease remains a top priority in effective plumbing and restroom maintenance

5/18/2020

Location technology: The next investment for healthcare

Location-based security technology is a win for both staff and patients

5/18/2020

The pandemic is causing cybersecurity problems for hospitals

There has been a significant increase in ransomware attempts against organizations responding to the pandemic

5/15/2020

Environmental monitoring tracks temperature and humidity to maintain safety

Humidity levels play a role in the safe storage of vaccines, medications, blood and lab samples

5/15/2020

Long-term care facilities opening dedicated COVID-19 units

The COVID-only wings will be cordoned off from the rest of the facilities and have their own entrances and dedicated staff

5/15/2020

Pa. health official says state won’t supply protective equipment to hospitals that resume elective surgeries

The priority has shifted to nursing homes, where most of the state’s COVID-19 deaths have occurred

5/15/2020

Supersized food can mean undersized profits for healthcare facilities

When it comes to offering healthier food options in their cafeterias and gift shops, most U.S. hospitals may be 'penny wise and pound foolish'

5/15/2020

Feds consider relaxing infection control in U.S. nursing homes

The longterm care industry's residents and workers are currently overwhelmed by the coronavirus

5/14/2020

Many hospitals now sanitize and reuse masks

One agency of the federal government is allowing for 20 cycles of cleaning for a single mask. Another suggests three.

5/14/2020

Smart healthcare facilities can come unique cybersecurity threats

All the standard vulnerabilities apply to healthcare facilities as well

5/14/2020

National Guard disinfects George hospitals

30 National Guardsmen recently sanitize the Phoebe Putney Hospital cancer center

5/14/2020

Wealthy hospitals have a cushion to weather coronavirus crisis that safety-net facilities don’t

Cancellations of nonessential surgeries come with the coronavirus patients

5/14/2020

Study: Hand-washing better at killing flu than sanitizer

Hand-washing is better even without soap

5/14/2020

Security guards in demand — and stressed

Job descriptions for guards now can include temperature checks

5/13/2020

‘Scandal’ cast donates meals to South Side Chicago hospital

Roseland Community Hospital’s food service department has been shut down since March

5/13/2020

‘Tele-Triage’ models designed to keep patients and clinicians safe

Virtual care in emergency departments also can support security and workflow

5/13/2020

Tech can help healthcare facilities guard against disaster

Keeping health IT systems up and running is critical

5/13/2020

Field hospitals occupy flood zones despite warnings

E&E News identified 16 facilities in flood zones using FEMA online flood maps

5/12/2020

Face masks and hand sanitizer stolen from Indiana hospital

Theft shows they’re now as sought-after as drugs

5/12/2020

COVID-19 – Creating a rare convergence of market need and technology

A new technology can now be incorporated in a traditional LED panel fixture using nanometer materials for antiseptic and anti-virus air-cleaning

5/12/2020

Project offers a look behind the curtain at WELL, Fitwel, and LEED

A recent project shows how sustainability and health and wellness complement each other

5/12/2020

Antibiotic resistant co-infections: A silent killer in COVID-19 patients

Hospitals are trying to keep pace with COVID-19 and the resulting drug-resistant secondary bacterial infections

5/12/2020

Finding the right technology for your facility

How FMs choose and implement technology has a profound impact on the long-term operations of a building

5/12/2020

Study says coronavirus may linger in the air in patient bathrooms, staff areas

Researchers also found the concentration of the virus' genetic material in isolation wards and ventilated patient rooms was very low

5/11/2020

Study finds healthcare construction training is lacking

Only 52 percent of those surveyed said that owners of healthcare projects always or often required construction teams to receive training

5/11/2020

Designing and operating secure emergency facilities

The first step is to conduct a realistic threat assessment

5/11/2020

Maintaining a sustainable future for your healthcare facility

It's not a 'step-one-and-done' process; the ROI can have everyone seeing green

5/11/2020

Prioritize indoor environmental quality

Optimize the indoor environment while minimizing impact on the outdoor environment and global resources

5/11/2020

Flexible foodservice design key in healthcare

As trends shift, operators must keep up with menu innovations and remain adaptable

5/11/2020

Texas hospital turns cafe into pop-up market for employees

Medical Health Center Health System facility’s café saw uptick in business

5/8/2020

Advanced medical tents replace triage tents at Md. hospitals

The medical tents can be connected to the hospital’s electric power but also include a generator

5/8/2020

New decontamination center in Los Angeles allows N95 masks to be reused 20 times

The cleaning chamber began operating in early May

5/8/2020

Infection control efforts start with EMS personnel

A study found that EMS practiced hand hygiene before patient contact in just 7 percent of assessments

5/8/2020

Can rice cookers decontaminate face masks?

Investigators found that the appliance can decontaminate cloth masks

5/7/2020

Successful technology selection and implementation

Separating shiny new gadgets from systems that deliver when selecting new technology

5/7/2020

Southern Textile Services Earns Hygienically Clean Healthcare Certification

5/7/2020

N.Y.C. hospitals overflowing with bodies

FEMA is sending 85 refrigerated trucks

5/6/2020

Infection control measures failing in Colorado elder homes

Banning visitors, new rules for infection control and increased testing haven’t stopped spread of COVID-19

5/6/2020

Temporary hospitals have cybersecurity vulnerabilities

Ad hoc COVID-19 medical centers are often remote and security is often a lower priority

5/5/2020

Hospital food service operators on front lines of coronavirus

Healthcare executive chef shares details of serving patients and staff during the pandemic

5/5/2020

Oklahoma hospital's eight nurses are also the janitors

The nurses, along with an office manager and a part-time maintenance worker, are the only remaining employees

5/4/2020

Coronavirus’s impact on healthcare IT: Part Two: Supporting real-time needs of hospitals in crisis

Network segmentation, or social distancing for your medical devices

5/4/2020

Ultrasonics can power infection control in nonwovens

Nonwoven fabrics are key in the battle to prevent the spread of infection

5/4/2020

Chicago-area hospitals using tracking technology to monitor hand hygiene

Healthcare providers only wash or sanitize their hands about half as much as they should

5/4/2020

Hospital system using technology to reduce staff’s' coronavirus exposure

Video tools can also cut down on the use of vital personal protective equipment

5/1/2020

Philly officials condemn improper transfer of bodies in pickup truck

The incident involved the movement of five or six cadavers to the Medical Examiner's Office in University City

5/1/2020

Sink design can affect infection control efforts

Relatively shallow bowls and aerators can spread microbes

5/1/2020

Hawaii using fogging equipment to disinfect equipment for healthcare facilities

Fog can reach hard-to-reach areas that are not practical to reach with a wiper

5/1/2020

During crisis, critical power plan is a must for the smaller medical facility

COVID-19 could affect supply chain long after the pandemic subsides

5/1/2020

How hospital food service can improve patient experiences and outcomes

Food is fundamental to the human experience, and that’s doubly true for the patient experience

5/1/2020

Healthcare facilities learning agility during Covid crisis

Adjustments and innovation is helping almost every state is avoiding ICU bed shortages

4/30/2020

Technology applications for infection control

Locating and sensing services enables real-time tracking of medical equipment, staff and patients.

4/30/2020

Mold found in baby’s heart after surgery at Seattle Children’s hospital

The operating room where the baby had his procedure did not have a HEPA filter

4/29/2020

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Generators in an ambulatory surgery center

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for GFCI receptacles

4/29/2020

Plumbing upgrades focus on health and hygiene

Water conservation, less maintenance and improved hygiene are all popular targets of system improvements

4/29/2020

Keeping the lights on during COVID-19

Ventilators and other equipment essential to treating patients with acute symptoms of the virus depend on electricity to function

4/28/2020

Repurposing parking structures for COVID-19 patients

Fire and life safety requirements in parking structures are different from occupied spaces

4/28/2020

Study finds educating cleaning staff lowers C. diff infections

Study suggests focusing on knowledge gaps, challenges and barriers

4/28/2020

FDA says 4 million N95 masks could be reused

Emergency-use authorizations allow sterilizing and reprocessing N95 masks

4/27/2020

Pizza and takeaway donations to UK hospitals could 'compromise' infection control

Officials asked people to stop donating hot and fresh food deliveries as it increased ‘certain risks.’

4/27/2020

Flooring company creating personal protective equipment for healthcare workers

So far, two facilities have made 10,000 face shields and 5,000 gowns

4/27/2020

Cool roofs can promote energy savings

By reflecting heat, and emitting absorbed heat, they keep building cooling costs lower

4/27/2020

Five ways to minimize infection risks in a healthcare facility

In an emergency event, strict control of who’s entering the lobby needs to be maintained

4/24/2020

Real-time visibility into patient, staff and equipment locations takes safety and strategy to the next level

Searching for equipment is a consistent facility-wide challenge, and a major patient safety risk caused by distraction and delays in care delivery as staff hunts for missing items

4/24/2020

Some California nursing homes are using pillowcase masks and trash-bag gowns

Cleaning supplies are also dwindling

4/23/2020

Engineering firm produces reusable face shields for DC-area hospitals

Company offers sterile 3D printer patent for COVID applications globally

4/23/2020

Keeping your ice machine clean and safe

Ice machines provide a damp and dark environment which is ideal for mold to grow

4/23/2020

Tunable white LED lighting can offer energy savings

It also offers the chance to optimize the utility of your lighting system

4/23/2020

A greener environmental services department can have a wide impact

Green practices can increase environmental sustainability and improve patient care

4/23/2020

Convention center official charged with stealing N95 masks from New Orleans field hospital

He could face up to five years in prison

4/22/2020

2,000-bed coronavirus hospital being built in the Colorado Convention Center

Health officials hope to have the beds ready by the end of the month for people recovering from the new coronavirus

4/22/2020

Oklahoma hospital sets up tent for potential overflow

The tent is 19 feet wide and 20 feet long with a generator as well as heating and air units.

4/22/2020

Planning plumbing systems in healthcare facilities

With planning, managers can ensures the success of maintenance and upgrades of plumbing systems

4/22/2020

Michigan zoo donates meals, protective equipment

Binder Park Zoo staff donated medical supplies to Bronson Healthcare

4/21/2020

Research examines wastewater to detect community spread of coronavirus

Samples from a wastewater treatment plant serving a large metropolitan area found that the amount of SARS-CoV-2 particles in the sewage samples indicated a far higher number of people likely infected with Covid-19

4/21/2020

Minnesota volunteers pitching in making hospital supplies

Volunteers are manufacturing on home 3-D printers

4/21/2020

1,000-bed field hospital in Boston accepting coronavirus patients

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center transformed to temporary medical space

4/21/2020

Shuttered N.C. hospital reopened to deal with coronavirus overflow

The former Sandhills Regional Medical Center has rooms for 49 patients but could take up to 60 or 65

4/21/2020

CHP systems offer energy efficiency at the source

A loss of power can have devastating effects, particularly in hospitals and healthcare facilities that need reliable power to keep their patients alive and healthy

4/21/2020

Security fundamentals for temporary facilities

Six steps for effective security design and operation during an emergency

4/20/2020

Rhode Island is converting a former Lowe’s store into a coronavirus hospital

As many as 624 beds will be set up in the 140,000-square-foot building

4/20/2020

UV light offered to sterilize face masks for healthcare workers

Hospitals aren’t ready to jump on board yet

4/20/2020

COVID-19 reinventing how healthcare providers use mobile medical vehicles and RVs

Healthcare facilities are using specialty vehicles that are already built and upfitted for various medical uses and repurposing them to provide frontline support

4/20/2020

Avoiding the hidden costs of environmental services staff injuries

Environmental services work-related injuries usually involve either exposure to harmful contaminants or musculoskeletal disorders

4/20/2020

South Carolina expanding hospital capacity for coronavirus with three-tier plan

The surge plan is based on projections of 3,500 coronavirus patients being hospitalized in early May

4/17/2020

Disney Parks donates supplies to hospitals fighting coronavirus

Disney has donated 150,000 rain ponchos to MedShare

4/17/2020

McCormick Place hospital ready to accept patients this week

The facility includes 500 negative pressure tents

4/17/2020

Army Corps scales back size of field hospital in suburban Detroit

A 250-bed facility will be built inside the convention hall instead of the original 1,100-bed plan

4/17/2020

McCormick Place field hospital built in 5 days

Chicago convention center will eventually have 3,000 beds

4/16/2020

Soldiers, engineers building field hospital for coronavirus patients in Detroit

The upper floor will accommodate patients who require oxygen, but not a ventilator

4/16/2020

L.A. clinics lack safety supplies as coronavirus spreads

Facilities for the poor continue to face a shortage of test kits and medical equipment

4/16/2020

Transmission bacteria linked to hospital sink drain

Two patients with NDM-1 Klebsiella pneumoniae had stayed in the same room

4/16/2020

California children's hospital adds plexiglass protection to ER

Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego is seeing a drastic drop in the number of Emergency Room visits

4/15/2020

Inspections expected to focus on infection control, emergency preparedness

The Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is expected to add COVID-19 topics to its annual work plan

4/15/2020

Lawsuit says hospital security guard prohibited from wearing mask

His supervisor allegedly berated him for wearing a mask, telling him it was against hospital policy

4/15/2020

New study demonstrates accuracy of Legionella detection test

Regular testing for Legionella pneumophila is the only way to be certain that a water management plan is working properly to prevent patient exposure

4/15/2020

Pandemic preparedness: How hospitals can adapt buildings to address worst-case scenarios

A Canadian healthcare architect looks at how hospital staff can act now to modify facilities and contain a pandemic

4/14/2020

Minnesota plans 2,750 hospital beds for ‘alternate care sites’

One site considered is a shuttered private prison in western Minnesota

4/14/2020

A 250-bed field hospital is being built inside Massachusetts’ DCU Center

Photo tour of construction posted on telegram.com

4/14/2020

CDC studies show drop in MDR bacteria, C diff in US hospitals

Infections caused by four multidrug-resistant organisms decreased in US hospitals from 2012 through 2017

4/14/2020

Healthcare data security still needs attention during pandemic

Healthcare institutions can have difficulty leveraging the large amounts of data that they store

4/14/2020

Plumbing strategies to reduce HAIs

Bacteria lurking in the plumbing pipes and fixtures can contribute to HAIs

4/14/2020

Lower-profile hospital workers worry about their COVID-19 risk

Many hospitals are struggling to obtain protective equipment

4/13/2020

CDC director says: 'This virus is going to be with us'

Re-embracing social distancing may be necessary

4/13/2020

Technology takes the top position in outbreak management

Cloud-based software solutions provide unified platforms where data from diagnostic tests can be gathered

4/13/2020

Healthcare food service operators ‘cautiously optimistic’ during pandemic

Healthcare operators are less likely to see longer-term impacts than other food service segments

4/13/2020

Outsourcing: Going from 'housekeeping' to 'environmental services'

Professional environmental services make a science of cleaning

4/13/2020

Outsourcing: Going from 'housekeeping' to 'environmental services'

Professional environmental services make a science of cleaning

4/13/2020

Librarian using 3-D printer to make equipment for healthcare workers

Public library’s printer is being used to create respirator masks

4/9/2020

3M says not sharing N95 masks could make the shortage worse

Millions of respirators are surfacing, but healthcare workers say they need more

4/9/2020

Ford, GE Healthcare to produce 50,000 ventilators by July

Car maker is using design from small tech company

4/9/2020

Nurses using baby monitors in the ICU

Healthcare workers want to limit risky interactions and preserve equipment already in short supply

4/9/2020

Minnesota looking for temporary hospital space

Officials are looking for large, vacant spaces

4/9/2020

Managing COVID-19 medical waste

The CDC has recommended that control of COVID-19 waste be handled through routine procedures

4/8/2020

Union alleges Calif. hospital risked coronavirus spread to workers

Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center in Riverside sent at least 10 employees home because they came in contact with a patient who had symptoms of coronavirus

4/8/2020