Groundskeeping - January 2020

China's new coronavirus hospital half done in four days

The hospital is expected to take its first patients on February 3

1/31/2020

China says coronavirus can spread before symptoms show

The CDC says there is no clear evidence that patients are infectious before symptom onset

1/31/2020

Ebola virus, Lassa fever can be treated without infecting healthcare personnel

'Meticulous' implementation of infection control and clinical biosafety practices needed

1/31/2020

Economic analyst says the worst has yet to come with coronavirus

The number of new infections is still on the rise

1/31/2020

U.S. readiness for a viral outbreak better, but needs improvement

The U.S. has made progress in preparedness since Ebola

1/31/2020

Snakes could be the source of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak

Virus linked to the Chinese krait and the Chinese cobra

1/30/2020

Chinese city plans to build coronavirus hospital in days

Wuhan is constructing a 1,000-bed facility with prefab buildings

1/30/2020

Coronavirus death toll jumps to more than 80, five US cases confirmed

New coronavirus has been identified in Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington state

1/30/2020

Chocolate Lab training to be bomb-sniffing therapy dog in Ohio

Most of her life is going to be helping children. But the rest of the time she's have ongoing training for bomb detection

1/30/2020

Cardinal Health recalls 9 million surgical gowns

About 7.7 million were distributed to 2,807 facilities across the country

1/30/2020

Facts about the coronavirus outbreak

The respiratory infection originated in Wuhan, China

1/29/2020

US government just cut funding for the hospitals that deal with outbreaks

Hospitals are unlikely to invest the necessary resources to prepare for somewhat improbable events

1/29/2020

FEMA OKs funds to rebuild hospital in Puerto Rico after teen's death

A girl, 13, died after lacking a proper medical facility in Vieques

1/29/2020

Keeping your healthcare facility safe

How technology can help you achieve a safer healthcare environment

1/29/2020

Gaps found in Canadian hospitals’ preparedness for C. auris

The first multidrug-resistant case of the illness was reported in the country in 2017

1/29/2020

Veterans say the D.C. VA hospital is not safe for women

A woman said she was sexually assaulted at the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center four months ago

1/28/2020

CDC estimates flu has killed 6,600 in U.S.

The overall flu-associated hospitalization rate is in line with trends seen during this time last season

1/28/2020

Missouri hospital gives staff panic buttons

The use of the buttons is in a trial phase and is aimed at improving security in high-risk areas like the ER

1/28/2020

FEMA funding earthquake safety for Los Angeles hospital

Funds will go to non-structural bracing and anchoring of medical equipment, communications hardware, and supporting infrastructure

1/28/2020

Integrated infection prevention is essential for protecting patients

A growing number of clinical studies have demonstrated that “no-touch” technologies are effective in reducing bacterial contamination of surfaces and can reduce colonization/infection in patients admitted to these hospital rooms

1/28/2020

UV light fights germs on mobile devices

Ultraviolet rays kill nearly 100% of bacteria found on mobile devices in healthcare settings

1/28/2020

At least five patients with Wuhan coronavirus reported in U.S.

A man in Washington State is infected with the new respiratory virus, and there are more possible

1/27/2020

Detroit Medical Center cancels plan to outsource security jobs

Union filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board

1/27/2020

Addressing software challenges

Careful specification and implementation paves the way for enhanced productivity and performance

1/27/2020

Internet of Medical Things changing future of healthcare

The ability to collect, analyze and transmit health data, is changing care delivery

1/27/2020

Puerto Rico still lacking proper medical facilities since hurricane

Vieques has not had a functioning hospital since it was destroyed during Hurricane Maria more than two years ago

1/24/2020

Pa. health system cancels surgeries due to surgical gown issues

Cardinal Health warned customers that some of its surgical gowns may not be sterile

1/24/2020

Achieving a high-performance HVAC system

No building system has more impact on long-term facility operating costs than HVAC. Understand the true costs of HVAC, both initially and while in operation

1/24/2020

Copper surfaces reduce hand transmission in eldercare

Researchers investigated outbreaks in a nursing home

1/24/2020

Copper beds cut surface bacteria

On average, copper beds harbored 94 percent fewer bacteria than conventional beds

1/24/2020

White substance sparks hazmat incident at Idaho hospital

A patient entered Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center ER carrying a container of an unknown white substance

1/23/2020

Minnesota law to allow surveillance cameras in senior homes

Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities across the state are required to inform residents of their right to use the cameras

1/23/2020

Reduced capacity at Atlanta hospital affects region

For more than a month, Grady Memorial Hospital emergency rooms has been operating at a reduced capacity

1/23/2020

Cleveland Clinic manages its medical waste with color coding

Cleveland Clinic’s Office for a Healthy Environment focuses on sustainability across the organization, including the responsible management of medical waste

1/23/2020

N.Y. nursing home cited after maggots found in patient wound

Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation was not fined

1/22/2020

Atlanta hospital expects repair of flooding damage to take until fall

A water pipe break in early December flooded three floors at Grady Memorial Hospital

1/22/2020

Calif. hospital sets up overflow tent for flu patients

California seeing more flu cases than normal

1/22/2020

Effective paints and coatings applications

The right paint selection and surface prep is key

1/22/2020

Vermont healthcare facility reopening operating rooms after mysterious odor

Staff have installed carbon monoxide detectors and air sampling canisters in the buildings, and employees will wear detectors

1/21/2020

Ohio bill would allow cameras inside nursing home rooms

There is currently no law in Ohio against using private cameras inside a nursing home, but it's up to the nursing home to allow it

1/21/2020

Vail Health addresses surgical smoke concerns

Colorado Legislature passed a law stating that by May 1, 2021, healthcare facilities in the state must implement policies to prevent human exposure to surgical smoke

1/21/2020

Creating a secure building automation system

It is common for organizations to create a BAS and then more or less forget about it

1/21/2020

Dealing with the problem of dirty sinks

How clean can your washed hands really be if the sink is contaminated?

1/21/2020

Adopting EVS cleaning practices in skilled nursing facilities

The presence of more higher-acuity patients has led to greater danger from infections

1/20/2020

Probe: Hospital used OR without HEPA filter when infant got sick

Other operating rooms at the hospital had HEPA filters

1/20/2020

The prescription for a healthy JCAHO audit

A robust, prescriptive EAM system is needed to avoid surprises and support a facility’s ongoing success

1/20/2020

Planning and budgeting key to sustainable HVAC

Step one in achieving sustainable HVAC design is organizational buy-in

1/20/2020

Best practices for cleaning, disinfection

Cleaning, disinfecting critical to prevention of hospital-acquired infections

1/20/2020

Seattle Children’s Hospital's mold issues spur class-action suit

Suit alleged hospital engaged in a coverup of problems

1/17/2020

CDC: Flu case total nears 10 million

The flu has already killed 4,800 this season

1/17/2020

Woman robbed, kidnapped from Louisiana hospital parking lot

Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System said it will evaluate the safety of all of its campuses

1/17/2020

Presence of pan-resistant C. auris growing in New York

A total of 427 of 911 nationwide confirmed cases are found in New York

1/17/2020

Threats that could threaten disrupt security

Facilities managers must have resilience and security strategies to deal with disruptive new technologies

1/17/2020

Steps for effective emergency preparedness

Make sure your risk assessment and scenario planning are up to date and accurate

1/17/2020

Science teacher's experiment illustrates need for hand hygiene

Soap and water had positive results

1/16/2020

HVAC issues stall surgeries at Mo. hospital

Pinnacle Regional Hospital’s sterilization room didn’t have the right pressure, temperature and humidity

1/16/2020

Report says VHA spent $4 billion on new facilities with little oversight

The VHA supplies new medical facilities with startup funds for new staff, furniture, equipment, etc.

1/16/2020

A guide to winter roofing care

Roofs that are not properly cared for during the winter will bring unpleasant surprises when the weather warms.

1/16/2020

Door selection can impact infection control

Touchless doors can help stop the spread of germs and bacteria

1/16/2020

Pa. hospital criticized for 'systemic' failures

An investigation found unsanitary equipment, dirty linens on the floors

1/15/2020

Study: ICU patients’ hands carry pathogens

Hand hygiene important for patients as well as healthcare workers

1/15/2020

Choosing the right photo ID printer

There are many card printers on the market

1/15/2020

Tips for life-safety and emergency prep in longterm care facilities

Start by looking at all possible risks

1/15/2020

‘Recent world events’ spark increased security at federal healthcare center

The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago has closed all entrances except the main gate

1/14/2020

Detroit hospital gets bomb, shooting threats

Police say a psychiatric patient at the hospital made the calls

1/14/2020

Pa. hospital where preemies died didn’t sanitize breast milk equipment

State health department ordered Geisinger Medical Center in Danville to correct several deficiencies

1/14/2020

Missouri hospital ordered to stop performing surgery

Regulators conducted an inspection at Pinnacle Regional Hospital and cited it for sterile processing procedures

1/14/2020

The growing demand for transparency in all building spaces

To meet efficiency, optimization and carbon management goals, all the pieces of the puzzle must be considered

1/14/2020

Five hospitals' mold issues making headlines

A number of healthcare facilities have detected molds in their facilities over the past year

1/14/2020

Quake in Puerto Rico causes structural, power issues, but hospitals functional in hard-hit region

Earthquake killed at least one person and causing a power outage across the island

1/13/2020

Pediatric flu death toll highest in 17 years

CDC says 27 pediatric deaths have occurred so far this season

1/13/2020

The benefits of going paperless

The Raleigh General Hospital HR team decided they didn’t want to simply copy their current paper format. Rather, they decided to redesign how the files should be organized, not simply importing files as they were.

1/13/2020

Kaiser Permanente prepares for disasters based on experience

This year’s evacuation during a wildfire demonstrated significant improvements over previous efforts

1/13/2020

Selecting a photo ID system

Photo identification cards are an important part of healthcare facility security plan

1/13/2020

Study finds air quality can impact effectiveness of antibiotics

Bacteria that cause respiratory infections can be affected by air pollution

1/13/2020

Hospital installs hydroponic farm in cafeteria

The healthcare system is looking to install an additional farm at the hospital as well as one at its cancer center

1/10/2020

Strain B influenza appearing earlier than usual this flu season

Strain A usually occurs around late December and early January

1/10/2020

Geothermal delivers savings

Investment in geothermal technology drives its energy efficiency to the top of the list

1/10/2020

Preparing healthcare facilities for a disaster

Hospitals must maintain continuity of patient care

1/10/2020

Case of Legionnaires' Disease reported at Illinois Veterans Home

The facility is reviewing water quality data

1/9/2020

Infection control issues temporarily shut down Utah hospital's operating room

A health department report said the hospital failed to provide a sanitary environment

1/9/2020

Safety trends from the last 10 years

Campus safety and security have evolved

1/9/2020

Twin Cities Hospital offers infant footprint scans

Hospital officials say its better to take a scan of a footprint because fingerprints aren't as refined initially

1/9/2020

Cancer center embraces proactive maintenance

MD Anderson Cancer Center's facility renewal program takes maintenance from reactive to proactive

1/9/2020

Dry indoor air linked to higher infection rates

When air is dry, droplets and skin flakes carrying viruses and bacteria travel through the air

1/9/2020

U.S. flu season on pace to surpass 2017-18

The 2017-18 season was the worst in decades

1/8/2020

Data shows hundreds of Aspergillus infections at Wash. hospitals

Hospitals say they’re not the source

1/8/2020

Air quality's role in infection prevention can be overlooked

Having the right tools to communicate the importance of temperature and humidity is important

1/8/2020

Ebola protection program expiring

The program supports efforts to quickly identify and isolate infected people

1/7/2020

Study tracks MRSA and S aureus in nursing homes

The presence of S aureus was 28.6 percent and of MRSA and MSSA, 20.1 percent

1/7/2020

CDC says US Candida auris cases rose by 100 in two months

The number of infections increased by 105 from Aug. to Oct.

1/7/2020

Study says patients often bring C. Diff in with them

The study suggested hospitals should try to identify carriers of C. diff to prevent the spread on infection

1/7/2020

When disaster strikes, FEMA money is available to hospitals that file quickly

Hospitals often don't file for the funds because they're unaware of what can be reimbursed and there is only a 30-day window to apply

1/7/2020

Flu cases reach 4.6 million

2,100 deaths reported

1/6/2020

VA ends hospital star ratings system

The system allowed veterans to compare quality and performance at VA facilities

1/6/2020

Study links psychological safety, infection prevention efforts

Thirty-eight percent of responding hospitals had high levels of psychological safety

1/6/2020

Healthcare moving toward paperless systems

Roughly 40 percent of data breaches are paper-based

1/6/2020

Card-operated lock systems becoming more popular

Flexibility is the primary benefit of this system

1/6/2020

How to handle a major HVAC upgrade

Following plan can help ensure upgrade isn't disruptive to regular operations

1/6/2020

3.7 million flu cases reported by mid December

The CDC says there have 32,000 hospitalizations and 1,800 deaths

1/3/2020

Keeping hospitals safe by design

Designers have an opportunity for hospitals to increase safety through intentional and comprehensive design and facility planning, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

1/3/2020

Joint Commission clarifies ligature risk requirements

In a new blog post on it's website, The Joint Commission clarified its new ligature risk requirements regarding common patient room items and fixtures

1/3/2020

New Ohio bill would allow surveillance cameras in nursing home resident rooms

There has been pushback in the past about whether surveillance cameras are a violation of patient privacy

1/3/2020

Operating room material choices must address infection control needs

Materials and finishes in the OR—particularly walls and flooring—are an important part of creating a safe environment, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website

1/3/2020