Groundskeeping - February 2016

Environmental services team leading infection battle

Housekeeping is one of those routine amenities people may not notice — unless it was missing

2/29/2016

Integrating nurse call and patient locator systems can cut response times

Real time patient locator systems can trigger a notification for environmental services that the room is now vacant and needs to be cleaned

2/29/2016

Phoenix VA postpones surgeries due to mechanical issues

Crews worked to fix a problem with the ventilation system and engineers need two or three days to complete a full evaluation of all the mechanical systems supporting the operating rooms

2/26/2016

Expanded scope cleaning process comes with higher costs

Virginia Mason Medical Center has revamped its practices to avoid another breakout

2/26/2016

Wisconsin hospitals' best-rated rooms

Eight hospitals were recognized by patients for having the cleanest rooms

2/26/2016

Research says no disinfectants completely remove bacterial biofilms from water lines

Study found the disinfectants recommended by water line manufacturers don't actually shift all the bacteria

2/25/2016

Cubicle curtains come with infection issues

How to clean and how often to change them can be a problem

2/25/2016

Going from management to leadership

Leadership implies helping and aiding others to achieve something greater

2/25/2016

Divide and conquer for better OR cleaning

Dividing the room into assigned zones keeps staff focused

2/24/2016

Q&A on waste containers

In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about waste containers

2/24/2016

NFMT session to address compliance training of hospital employees for infection control

The 2016 National Facilities Management & Technology event offers three full days of education, speakers, networking with peers, and a giant expo hall. All for free.

2/24/2016

Deadly crash reveals healthcare facilities are using old aircraft to transport patients

Light planes using piston engines instead of the safer modern turbines are still being used by Australian healthcare facilities

2/23/2016

Hospital laundry contract awarded to company caught drying garments in the open air

South African health department hoping to use the company’s poor performance to terminate the contracts

2/23/2016

Keys to effectively plan for emergencies

The older adults living in care communities are vulnerable in emergency situations

2/23/2016

Investigation finds serious sanitary issues at Pa. nursing homes

Inspection reports from the Department of Health show a long list of violations including live maggots found in a resident’s feeding tube

2/22/2016

Red Teams can enhance hospital security

Red Teams can evaluate campus protection measures and challenge assumptions

2/22/2016

Boosting healthcare facility cleaning best practices

Cleaning professionals have a number of training opportunities and educational resources available

2/19/2016

Using climate data for healthcare facility planning

Most hospitals don't use local climate change projections into their risk management and planning

2/19/2016

Developing an environmental services department budget

The most critical element is alignment with the vision of the healthcare facility

2/19/2016

Calif. hospital using fax machines, paper after hit by ransomware

Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center has transferred patients as it attempts to bring its database back online

2/18/2016

Hospitals with the unhealthiest food options

A new report names the worst hospital food environments in the nation

2/18/2016

Preparing for infectious disease patients

White paper offers ideas on developing operational and facility responses for both emergency room intake and patient care biocontainment units, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

2/18/2016

Designing compliant hospital pharmacies

USP 797 sterile compounding regulations will require planning

2/18/2016

Hospital uses steam to boost food choices, reduce waste

'Steamplicity' technology uses a pressure valve, which produces steam-cooked meals

2/18/2016

Bacteria-killing paint may be a passive weapon against HAIs

Claims are similar to that made by copper, which has become known for its ability to kill bacteria

2/18/2016

Throwback Thursday photo highlights '70s laundry co-op

N.D. hospitals partner to solve their laundry problems

2/18/2016

Safety/risk debated with more hospital guards armed

Man seeking help for mental illness shot in Texas hospital

2/17/2016

Safety/risk debated with more hospital guards armed

Man seeking help for mental illness shot in Texas hospital

2/17/2016

Today’s healthcare facility leader needs to be flexible

For accountable care organization, the traditional approach to the facility has already begun to change

2/17/2016

Designing for the telemedicine spaces of the future

Infrastructure considerations include room configurations, interior finishes, data capabilities, lighting and power

2/17/2016

Safe showers and water temperature key to senior facility safety

Among the top 10 issues for long-term care facilities is non-compliance with codes that require automatic temperature control of water used in resident bathrooms

2/17/2016

Industry benefiting from laundry's growing importance in healthcare

Hospital-acquired infections and increased outpatient usage are contributing to the increased demand for the linens

2/16/2016

Protecting healthcare facilities from bed bugs

More than a third of pest management companies reported treating a healthcare facility for bed bugs in 2014

2/16/2016

Purchasing software in the healthcare industry

Optimizing procurement and payment policies can save healthcare organizations thousands of dollars each year

2/16/2016

Inquest into Legionella death finds hospital failed to keep water supply safe

Testing by Public Health England found the Royal United Hospital water supply ward was contaminated with Legionella

2/12/2016

New digital-first hospital plagued by people problems

Technological aspects success as disputes arise in cleaning staff

2/12/2016

Energy efficient lighting at Virginia VA hospital to help fund additional services

$1.58 million project will renovate the facility with new lighting, sensors and controls

2/12/2016

Texas healthcare facility recognized for revamping alarm management system

Texas Children’s Hospital created a dashboard that collects and analyzes data by area, nurse and patient

2/12/2016

Creating a safer healthcare facility

Leaders urged to work with staff who design and care for the hospital

2/11/2016

How healthcare facilities managers achieve energy efficiency

The right operational steps can lead to sustainable healthcare operations

2/11/2016

Including telehealth in a healthcare facility strategy

Widespread adoption of telehealth could contribute to $300 billion in savings for the U.S. healthcare system

2/11/2016

Healthcare facilities save money when staff takes the stairs

Study says England's NHS hospitals could save more than 100 million pounds a year

2/10/2016

Hospital security guards want power to detain or restrain violent patients

Australian security professionals express concerns about staff numbers, job training and hospital safety

2/10/2016

Infographic: Understanding and preventing hospital-acquired infections

Graphic identifies the people who are at the greatest risk of contracting a HAI, what factors increase the risk of being infected, and how to prevent the most abundant HAIs

2/10/2016

Healthcare worker hand size can impact infection control efforts

Size can affect bacterial load, product effectiveness

2/9/2016

Staff training, retention key for environmental services

Pressures to reduce costs and staff turnover are among the biggest issues affecting the professional housekeeping/cleaning sector, especially within the healthcare sector, according to an article on the Long-term Living website

2/9/2016

Q&A on egress hardware

In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about egress hardware

2/9/2016

Boosting infection control efforts in outpatient facilities

A survey by Outpatient Surgery Magazine polled 140 surgical facility managers on their top infection control products

2/8/2016

Environmental services managers says they are pressured to reduce labor

Cleaning professionals survey says more respondents feel recession is over

2/8/2016

Central line-associated infection control environmental cleaning

Infographic to raise awareness for CLABSIs and promote practices to improve patient outcomes

2/8/2016

Is your healthcare facility helipad good to go?

The hospital helipad should not be treated as just a slab of concrete

2/5/2016

The Internet of Things could lead to smarter healthcare

Emerging tech holds the potential of revolutionizing healthcare by improving access and lowering costs

2/5/2016

Quaternary ammonium chloride and its advantages in healthcare facilities

Products typically offer broad-spectrum efficacy and do not have the unpleasant odor of oxidizing-based products

2/5/2016

Carrying BIM into facility management requires effective documentation

Second part of FacilityCare series focuses on needed documentation during construction process

2/5/2016

Santa Clara area hospitals gearing up for Super Bowl fans

Game traditionally brings at least 20 percent more E.R. traffic

2/4/2016

Reusable mattress covers cut infection rates at healthcare facilities

The study compared instances of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) by comparing infection rates

2/4/2016

Understanding the true cost of HAIs

Due to the lack of reimbursement for HAI-related care, these infections cause major financial losses for hospitals

2/4/2016

Poor infection control practices linked to rise of hepatitis C among dialysis patients

Lapses in infection control procedures — including cleaning and disinfection, and hand hygiene — were common at the affected clinics

2/3/2016

Hospitals launch creative campaigns to improve hand hygiene

Efforts include installation of equipment, education and tracking

2/3/2016

LA hospital spends $70 million on an IT infrastructure

Nearly half of the $158 million Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital budget is devoted to technological advances

2/3/2016

A tracking system can improve infection control

Lapses in infection control procedures — including cleaning and disinfection, and hand hygiene — were common at the affected clinics

2/3/2016

ER shooting sparks security concerns at Tampa Bay hospital

Patient fatally shoots himself at Brooksville Regional Hospital after being involved in car accident.

2/2/2016

Medical device and pharmaceutical regulations focus on patient safety

New rules emphasize safety in the supply chain

2/2/2016

White paper on digital signage for healthcare available

New technology tools designed for patients and staff

2/2/2016

Q&A on endoscopy ventilation requirements

In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about endoscopy ventilation requirements

2/2/2016

Plain language replacing color-coded alerts at some hospitals

Inconsistency of color-coded system led to confusion

2/1/2016

Keys to maintenance excellence

Four-part series on FacilityCare website will cover seven key factors for maintenance excellence

2/1/2016

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