Facility Operations - June 2015

Dallas' new Parkland Memorial Hospital receives LEED gold

The hospital previously won LEED gold for its eight-story parking garage and seeks the same status for its new power plant

6/30/2015

Dietary errors is an often hidden threat to patients

Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority identified 285 dietary errors in healthcare facilities during study

6/30/2015

Tips for sustainable environmental services

Environmentally sound practices can also save money

6/30/2015

Tracking healthcare facilities' energy use

By improving energy efficiency, hospitals can generate a new source of capital to increase the bottom line

6/30/2015

Testing infection prevention effectiveness

Confirming the disinfection of high-touch surfaces is important in healthcare facilities

6/29/2015

Focusing on infection prevention

There are a number of different best practices and technologies healthcare facility managers use to help help battle infections

6/29/2015

Fire detection, protection in healthcare facilities

Healthcare facilities require fire alarm and detection specifications at a higher level than in other buildings

6/26/2015

Proper washing, storage keeps most healthcare textiles safe

Laundering procedures shown to be effective at preventing the spread of infection

6/26/2015

Nursing home bedbugs a growing problem

Hospitals doing a better job than nursing homes dealing with pests

6/25/2015

Antimicrobial textile manufacturers address pandemic issues

Infection Control Today interviews manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) and antimicrobial textiles on pandemic preparedness

6/25/2015

Vancouver emergency rooms not expected to survive major quake

Aging hospital buildings found to be at high-risk of collapse or being rendered useless by a strong tremor

6/25/2015

Healthcare laundry best practices reviewed

Laundry recommendations include adherence to standard precautions (gown and gloves) and minimal textile agitation when handling contaminated laundry in isolation rooms

6/25/2015

Illinois healthcare facility project boosts security

Franklin Hospital in Benton will upgrade emergency room

6/24/2015

Maine hospital project to benefit budget, environment

The annual savings for Pen Bay Healthcare could be more than $550,000

6/24/2015

Are wifi devices safe in healthcare facilities?

Radiation caused by wireless devices can interfere with medical equipment and lead to serious clinical consequences

6/23/2015

Tackling hospital facility challenges

Healthcare Construction+Operations News interview focuses on the challenges and opportunities that healthcare facilities face

6/23/2015

Hospital fire brings focus to trash chute safety

A fire at a New York hospital began in a trash chute, apparently caused by soldering during a necessary repair

6/22/2015

Q&A on ABHR dispensers in business occupancies

In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on ABHR dispensers in business occupancies

6/22/2015

Luxury vinyl tile gaining more popularity in healthcare facilities

New type of vinyl flooring is second only to carpeting in how frequently it is installed

6/19/2015

Designing for resiliency becoming more common place

Planning for resiliency isn't new to healthcare design. Facilities have been dealing with the impacts of natural disasters for many years, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

6/19/2015

Safety surveys can curb patient risk

Facilities must evaluate their safety practices to ensure they are doing everything they can to safeguard patients

6/18/2015

Housekeeping is a partner in infection control

Reducing the spread of germs and diseases is the responsibility of all employees

6/18/2015

Q&A on ILSM implementation

In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on ILSM implementation

6/18/2015

U.K. hospital trust fined for legionella control problems

Investigation identified a history of failing to manage legionella

6/17/2015

Going green paying off for Southeast Michigan healthcare facilities

Sustainability in healthcare is touching on mainstream from an operations standpoint

6/17/2015

Managing retail healthcare facilities with service automation

A new class of technology called service automation is supporting the rapid growth in retail healthcare

6/16/2015

Healthcare facility staff risks safety to avoid parking fees

Employees of of Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital are choosing to park off-site to avoid paying up to $76.60 for two weeks of secured parking

6/15/2015

Disinfecting while preventing harmful exposure

Study reports a growing a demand for disinfecting strategies and increasing evidence that exposure to cleaners can result be harmful

6/15/2015

Healthcare facilities face unique security challenges

Digitized healthcare records are extremely valuable to criminals and facilities are still learning how to protect them

6/15/2015

Does washing uniforms at home effect infection control?

A recent UK study (1) found that 44% of nursing staff washed their uniforms below the recommended temperature of 60˚C

6/15/2015

Saskatoon healthcare facility opens with state-of-the-art technology

The Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility (SIHF) in Maple Creek, Saskatoon, will have nurse communication devices that are integrated with the telephone system

6/12/2015

The evolution of healthcare meal planning

Executive chef at Washington hospital discusses food service's role in healthcare, the farm to hospital trend

6/12/2015

Michigan hospital partners with salad restaurant

The Big Salad opens seventh location at the University of Michigan Hospital Cafe

6/12/2015

N.C. health facility cafe invests in pizza upgrade

The team at The Korner Cafe at Rex Healthcare in Raleigh worked on a shoestring budget and 'just made it happen' by adding the correct equipment

6/11/2015

Establishing healthcare disinfection programs

One tactic for improving the cleanliness of surfaces, is to use the right disinfectants

6/10/2015

Identifying Lean opportunities in healthcare

Lean is about reducing cost through the elimination of variation and waste

6/10/2015

Q&A on electrical safety program

In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on electrical safety program

6/10/2015

Room service adjusts to facilities' evolution

When a Long Island hospital absorbs 32-bed orthopedic program, needs and expectations changes

6/10/2015

Keeping patients safe from superbugs

CDC says healthcare facilities must do more to mitigate the threat of CRE

6/9/2015

Biggest trends in healthcare power, efficiency

More healthcare systems are considering a move to a self-reliant microgrid

6/9/2015

Geisinger Health Center renovates food service to boost production

The 350-seat Atrium Cafe, located on the campus's Hospital for Advanced Medicine, replaced three operations

6/9/2015

Drugs thefts reveal gaps in hospital security

Safeguards include restricted rooms, heavy surveillance

6/8/2015

Report eyes healthier disaster planning

Building healthier communities should be focus in disaster preparation

6/8/2015

Self-check-in kiosks can boost patient experience

San Diego-based Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group installs kiosks to remain competitive in changing market

6/8/2015

'Celebrity chefs' in healthcare foodservice

Healthcare foodservice chefs are consistently overlooked

6/8/2015

Concrete work causes noxious fumes in Michigan healthcare facility

Sparrow Hospital in Lansing detected fumes near operating room

6/5/2015

Planning fire drills in healthcare facilities

Staff, visitors, volunteers and others may ignore the fire alarm and continue to go on with their day

6/5/2015

Healthcare facilities stressing cleaning protocols for C. Diff

Almost half hadn't adopted strict limits on the use of antibiotics, but protective gear, separate hospital rooms and special cleaning techniques were in place in virtually all hospitals

6/5/2015