Facility Operations - May 2015
Going green no longer optional for hospitals
Many eco-friendly elements hospitals have incorporated are hardly visible, yet very impactful
5/29/2015
Gas cut off at five Pakistan hospitals
Hospitals lose gas supply because of outstanding payments
5/29/2015
North Florida Regional Medical Center tailors guest services program to meet patient needs
Center needed a partner to handle some guest service responsibilities so security personnel could focus solely on securing the hospital
5/29/2015
Welsh Hospital cited for kitchen, hygiene failings
Out-of-date food and bad hand hygiene found at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Denbighshire
5/29/2015
Healthier Hospitals Initiative wraps up
Initiative will remain a Practice Greenhealth program
5/29/2015
Is patient bathing or contact precaution best to reduce MRSA spread?
Study says bathing patients with chlorhexidine is slightly more effective
5/28/2015
N.Y. healthcare facility holds three-day disaster drill
Massena Memorial Hospital staff practices for potential fire, explosion
5/28/2015
Hospital patients moved amidst concerns over water supply
James Cook University Hospital in UK called move a 'precautionary measure' as further testing is conducted
5/28/2015
Tips for infectious-waste disposal
Facility found that more than 50 percent of items disposed of as infectious waste would fall into the general waste category
5/27/2015
Touchless door access switch help curb healthcare facility infections
Touchless door switches allow patients, staff to open an automatic door with a hand wave
5/27/2015
Q&A on the effective date of the new 2012 Life Safety Code
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on the effective date of the new 2012 Life Safety Code
5/27/2015
Damaged mattresses can be infection traps
Infographic shows potential risks hiding beneath the linen
5/26/2015
Healthcare facility barrier management requires set protocols
Knowing when and where contractors or staff are entering barriers is important in ensuring the code compliance
5/26/2015
Smartphones replace pagers at N.H. hospital
Catholic Medical Center uses phones with apps designed to streamline patient care
5/26/2015
Holiday decorations perk up long-term care facilities
Frequently updated decorations on bulletin boards are seasonal reminders of upcoming holidays and make the facility more festive for the residents, according to an article on the Long-term Living website
5/22/2015
Indian hospitals to be assessed on pest control
Facilities will have to ensure that there are no 'stray animals', cobwebs and birds' nests within the premises
5/21/2015
Hospital renovation efforts include push for better hand hygiene
Northwestern Memorial Hospital refurbishment program included equipment and product upgrades to the hospital's restrooms
5/21/2015
Mobile healthcare facilities ready for disasters
Memorial Hospital of Carbondale's Disaster Blasters enable the disaster preparedness team to set up a 300-bed field hospital
5/20/2015
OSHA and NIOSH release hospital respiratory toolkit
The kit is to be used by healthcare employers to protect staffers from airborne transmissible infectious diseases
5/20/2015
Small Vermont hospital launches solar project
Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend to install solar panel as part of its energy efficiency efforts
5/20/2015
Q&A on seclusion rooms
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on seclusion rooms
5/19/2015
Digital displays in healthcare facilities more common
Interactive donor walls, digital wayfinding signage and patient-facing digital messaging platforms are among new technological advances
5/19/2015
Textile technology may protect patients and staff
Technology can reduce the transmission of hospital-acquired infections
5/18/2015
Benefits of a master plan
A healthcare facility master plan can lay the groundwork for more efficient operations and building systems, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/18/2015
Equipment and software can help environmental services effectiveness
Understanding the ES process is critical to maximizing the performance and productivity of its staff
5/18/2015
Operating room HVAC system must maintain safe conditions efficiently
ORs should use occupied/unoccupied ventilation control systems
5/18/2015
Pest thresholds key for healthcare facilities
Expectations and environment also must come into play when working to improve a pest management program
5/15/2015
Hospital addresses security issues with window film
St. Luke's Hospital in Houston sought a long-term solution for disaster preparedness
5/15/2015
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital coordinates fire and life safety inspections throughout six campuses
Coordination effort needed to support organizational goals and to ensure compliance with outside agency regulations
5/15/2015
St. Paul hospital cuts $1.1 million in energy costs
Sustainability team started by installing occupancy sensors for both HVAC and lighting controls all over the building
5/14/2015
ERs are most vulnerable to healthcare facility violence
Training, risk assessment needed to address problem
5/13/2015
Reducing healthcare facility workplace violence
Active shooter training is something to consider
5/13/2015
Healthcare facilities focusing on hotel-quality service
Hospitals are borrowing fundamentals from the hospitality industry to improve patient experience
5/13/2015
Ohio nursing facility moving toward restaurant-style food service
Staffing several kitchens throughout the facility adds the ability to serve more varieties of food at the proper temperature
5/13/2015
Just-in-time buying can control supply chain costs
But some say it's too risky to keep inventories lean
5/13/2015
Identifying sustainable operations needs in healthcare facilities
Sustainable operations pushes the organization to operate healthier facilities that reduce healthcare costs and promote a healthy community
5/13/2015
UK hospitals cut cleaning staffs, call in more rat catchers
NHS hospitals are calling in rat catchers and pest control teams every week after 2,000 cleaners were let go, according to an an article on the Mirror website
5/12/2015
Human observation boosts hand-hygiene compliance
Researchers observe a significant influence among healthcare workers in an ICU
5/12/2015
Healthcare facilities electrical safety standards guide revised
Manual on healthcare technology management and facilities engineering has undergone a major update
5/12/2015
Healthcare facilities tighten security after emergency room violence
Hospitals invest in better locks, security staff, more cameras, risk assessment and staff training
5/12/2015
Will holographic doctors be making house calls?
With virtual doctor's visits via kiosks and home computers and robots in healthcare facilities, holographic doctor visits be not be far behind, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/11/2015
Q&A on soiled utility rooms
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on soiled utility rooms
5/11/2015
Solar power is trending in healthcare energy management
Solar power is being used at more and more healthcare campuses
5/8/2015
Reducing healthcare facility energy consumption
The most important thing to do when trying to reduce energy consumption is to measure it
5/7/2015
Master planning key to growth or consolidation
Case studies of Boston Medical Center and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center show master planning is become a far more complex process than ever before, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
5/6/2015
Kansas healthcare facility cuts energy use by 12 percent
Lane County Hospital in Dighton completes electrical and mechanical upgrades throughout the hospital
5/6/2015
Healthcare facilities getting ready for rapidly changing climate
Climate change deteriorates the air quality, creates food- and waterborne illnesses and causes an uptick in extreme weather events
5/5/2015
Leapfrog releases spring safety scores
Becker's Hospital Review lists five things to know about scores and the new Leapfrog features
5/5/2015
Q&A on deadbolt locks on office doors
In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about deadbolt locks on office doors
5/5/2015
Five steps for long-term care facility security
The right staff, realistic security policies and procedures, staff/resident security training and integrated security technology are all key to a successful long-term care facility security system, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
5/4/2015
Managing energy use in the operating room
Operating room energy efficiency efforts must be balanced against stricter infection control monitoring
5/4/2015
Creating a fire barrier management plan
Life safety concerns continue to be a central focus for healthcare accrediting agencies
5/1/2015