Groundskeeping

23 Employees, 13 Patients Infected At Mass. Hospital After Employee Visited A Coronavirus Hotspot

The coronavirus cluster emerged on a non-COVID unit

8/3/2020

Tenn. Hospitals Preparing Extra Space If Needed For Covid-19 Patients

COVID-19 hospitalizations are hitting new highs in the region

8/3/2020

Contact Tracing Gets Real

Hospitals and clinics look to location based intelligence (LBI) for fully automated, real-time contact and contagion tracking

8/3/2020

NICUs Facing Unique Challenges During Covid

A patient is labor is not going to be asked to wear a mask

8/3/2020

Some R.I. Hospitals Getting Pushback on Mask Requirements

A state ban ban on hospital visits changed in July and restrictions were eased — but not lifted

8/3/2020

Florida opens its first mobile hospital

The state is providing staff and equipment for the unit

7/31/2020

Building infection prevention programs at longterm care

Addressing the risk and not just the treatment of infection can save money, too

7/31/2020

Department of defense looking for contractors to set up Fla. mobile hospitals

As cases surge, the Army is helping the state in case it needs to quickly build out

7/31/2020

COVID-19 infecting patients inside healthcare facilities

5,142 patients in the US reported to be infected with coronavirus inside a hospital.

7/31/2020

Healthcare facilities cybersecurity risks complex

Nonprofit hospitals face greater risks from cyberattacks than any other sector

7/31/2020

National Guard raises tents outside South Carolina hospital

As of mid July, 84 percent of Orangeburg County’s hospital beds were occupied

7/30/2020

Reinventing the healthcare facility post-Covid

There could be fundamental differences in care, according to a new whitepaper

7/30/2020

How McCormick Place became Chicago's alternate care site

The convention center was converted to a 3,000-bed hospital

7/30/2020

Pandemic’s impact on on-site dining at healthcare facilities

Dining programs could see a continued slump in retail dining

7/30/2020

Healthcare data security still needs attention during pandemic

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

7/30/2020

California hospitals get help with staffing shortages from military

A total of 160 Air Force healthcare professionals are working in five hospitals

7/29/2020

Integrating EHR and medical devices in longterm care

This integration could support better outcomes and lower the cost of care for patients

7/29/2020

Five housekeepers at N.Y. hospital volunteered to clean COVID patients’ rooms

Volunteer cleaners say they were motivated by the patients

7/29/2020

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'

7/29/2020

Connecticut Guard helps inspect longterm care facilities

Support from the Guard has enabled the DPH to inspect more longterm care facilities more frequently

7/28/2020

Masks, gowns shortage to leave hospital workers exposed

Without federal guidance, states must compete for products

7/28/2020

Insulation blanket saves Canadian hospital 15 million pounds of steam

The reusable insulation was installed in the boiler room’s main header, instantaneous heater and condensate pumps

7/28/2020

The COVID-19 public health emergency highlights the need for better data accessibility in healthcare

Interoperability facilitates the availability of data to clinicians and patients

7/28/2020

Nursing home infection prevention should be group effort

Environmental services and facilities management staffs need to work together

7/27/2020

Meeting the needs of non-Covid patients

Healthcare facilities must manage patients with time-sensitive and medically complex conditions

7/27/2020

Pandemic increases union activity among hospital workers

The main concerns are adequate staffing and PPE

7/27/2020

Idaho hospital steps up its cleaning efforts for Covid

The hospital now uses electrostatic sprayers and a hydrogen peroxide-based dry fog

7/27/2020

Hospital security cameras can promote safety

Cloud-based security systems can provide pictures of each person entering and exiting a facility

7/27/2020

Candida auris infects L.A. County healthcare facility

The shortage of medical equipment may be helping to spread

7/24/2020

Improper medical waste management can bring risks

Disposing of waste can be overwhelming for small healthcare facilities

7/24/2020

Report says nearly all healthcare workers dealing with COVID need N95s

Allowing surgical masks and medical masks to be used in circumstances where N95s should be used detracts from the effort to supply enough N95s

7/24/2020

How to manage senior care facilities during crisis

Facilities and IT infrastructure must be at their optimal performance

7/24/2020

Healthcare food service operators ‘cautiously optimistic’ during pandemic

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

7/24/2020

Healthcare facility hacking increasing during coronavirus pandemic

IBM reported a 6,000 percent increase in spam attacks

7/23/2020

Refrigerator trucks deployed in Texas as hospital morgues fill up

More than 4,000 Texans have died from the coronavirus and counties are preparing for even more deaths

7/23/2020

St. Louis hospital workers demand hazard pay after cafeteria staffers test positive for COVID-19

The workers are also demanding proper PPE

7/23/2020

New certification issued for janitors helping to fighting COVID-19

The course covers infection control, proper cleaning procedures, documentation and communication and worksite safety precautions. It also defines cleaning and disinfecting

7/23/2020

COVID-19 may affect campus weapons detection

Coronavirus could impact how hospitals use metal detectors

7/23/2020

Using a cybersecurity plan at your healthcare facility

A digital shift in the handling of private health information (PHI) opened up healthcare systems to hackers

7/23/2020

Environmental services workers find spotlight during Covid

The frontline healthcare workers rely on the environmental services

7/22/2020

Infection control best practices for healthcare facilities

Limiting patient visitors helps keep the virus from entering healthcare facilities

7/22/2020

UK group lists workers most likely to die from coronavirus

The Office for National Statistics shows that men working as social carers, factory workers, security guards and cabbies are at greater risk

7/22/2020

Security guards in demand — and stressed

Job descriptions for guards now can include temperature checks

7/22/2020

America is running short on PPE again

Nurses say they are reusing N95 masks for days and weeks at a time

7/21/2020

Hurricanes may mean field hospitals not answer for Florida’s COVID-19 surge

The state is focusing on expanding hospital surge capacity instead

7/21/2020

Coronavirus infections spike among workers at San Francisco hospital

Forty-five workers at San Francisco General Hospital tested positive

7/21/2020

New surge of Covid-19 patients straining hospitals

ICU units are reaching capacity

7/21/2020

Tips for hospitals to operate safely in the ‘new normal’

The physical space of a hospital can encourage the spread of infectious disease

7/21/2020

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

7/21/2020

FDA publishes list of hand sanitizers that may be toxic

Fifty-five products are on the list

7/20/2020

Workers link COVID-19 outbreak at California hospital to mismanagement

Staff members say not properly separating patients, short staffing and a lack of testing and protective gear has led to an outbreak

7/20/2020

Ozone disinfection could allow safe reuse of PPE

Method doesn’t work on items that include stapled-on elastic straps

7/20/2020

Nash UNC Health Care working to raises the bar for EVS department

The way the facility is cleaned has changed in order to address the coronavirus pandemic

7/20/2020

Managing security challenges in healthcare

Healthcare facilities must assure staffing amid increasing risk

7/20/2020

New Covid care center in India the size of 20 football fields

Indian officials called the 10,000-bed Sardar Patel Covid care centre, one of the largest such facilities in the world

7/17/2020

Healthcare facility trends to expect as staff returns to work

Organizations consider how to best eliminate the risk of coronavirus transmission among staff

7/17/2020

Keeping patients and staff safe without armed security

Scientific American opinion piece recommends eliminating armed police, guards in emergency rooms

7/17/2020

New Jersey hospitals revamping supply chains for second wave

System plans to stockpile enough personal protective equipment to last 90 days

7/17/2020

ADA considerations part of facility adjustments for COVID-19

Changes to entrances, restrooms and office areas will need to be accessible

7/17/2020

Temporary hospitals have cybersecurity vulnerabilities

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

7/17/2020

Hospital ratings can depend more on nice rooms than healthcare

The most satisfied patients tend to die in greater numbers

7/16/2020

COVID-19 overflow patients in Texas nursing home dealing with excessive heat

Residents were wearing only undergarments and laying on towels or thin sheets to try to stay cool

7/16/2020

Hospital staff’s perception can impact cleaning of pediatric wards

Surfaces that are easiest to clean can become most contaminated after cleaning

7/16/2020

Illinois governor asked to move nursing home residents to hotels

Pritzker administration against ‘moving medically fragile people’

7/16/2020

Security fundamentals for temporary facilities

Six steps for effective security design and operation during an emergency

7/16/2020

Atlanta coronavirus field hospital to be reopened

The facility was first turned into a 200-bed alternative care location in April

7/15/2020

Boston company offers to build ‘sanitization stations' for local healthcare workers

These temporary shower can be installed inside or outside workers' homes

7/15/2020

Mask-strapped healthcare facilities turn to mask-cleaning system

Issues with availability of materials is contributing to the shortages

7/15/2020

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

7/15/2020

6,500 dead from COVID-19 in N.J. nursing homes

Department of Health inspectors reported few issues

7/14/2020

Hospitals working to maintain PPE supplies before flu season

Hospitals are stockpiling personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, face shields and gowns

7/14/2020

N.H. nursing homes receive defective equipment from FEMA

In New Hampshire, 80 percent of the COVID-19 deaths have been residents of nursing homes

7/14/2020

Maryland healthcare organization ramps up pandemic preparedness

The University of Maryland Medical Center scrambled to find ventilators, create surge capacity

7/14/2020

Texas announces $9 million for nursing home infection control projects

Nursing facilities are encouraged to submit applications to the HHSC to receive the funding

7/14/2020

Hospital food service operators on front lines of coronavirus

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

7/14/2020

Florida hospital ICUs hitting capacity

These hospitals were spread across more than 20 counties

7/13/2020

Housekeeper helps save COVID patient's life

Only healthcare workers and cleaning staff could have in-person interaction with the patient

7/13/2020

Enhanced safety measures initiated to make hospital patients comfortable about seeking care

Washington system established guidelines to ensure patients safety

7/13/2020

AI reduces hospital’s energy use by 20 percent

A system of multi-variant sensing for predictive controls of air-conditioning was used

7/13/2020

N95s urged for all inpatient COVID care

N95 respirators are better at filtering out aerosol generating particles

7/13/2020

Orlando’s VA Medical Center at Lake Nona updates digital infrastructure

Synergy opportunities between systems offer a growing number of conveniences and increased safety to patients, visitors and staff alike

7/13/2020

Federal records show healthcare workers’ pleas for better COVID protective gear

A third of the healthcare-related COVID-19 complaints remain open

7/10/2020

Research finds patients prefer off-campus healthcare

The trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19

7/10/2020

Mass. hospital temporarily closed following severe floods

Storm forced power outages and patient evacuations

7/10/2020

Hospital airflow crucial for infection prevention

There is a lot that can be done in indoor air management to decrease transmission of infections

7/10/2020

Flexible foodservice design key in healthcare

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

7/10/2020

What a second wave of Covid-19 could look like

A second wave during flu season could potentially overwhelm the healthcare system

7/9/2020

Arizona nursing homes preparing for another coronavirus surge

As the number of new coronavirus cases continues to rise, nursing homes are emphasizing frequent testing

7/9/2020

Adapting construction sites at healthcare facilities

Containment systems and anterooms can keep negative air pressure within the workspace and out of patient rooms

7/9/2020

COVID-19 increases use of microgrids in healthcare sector

There are still regulatory, awareness barriers to adopting systems

7/9/2020

Boston Hospital builds a Covid-19 forecasting system

Forecasting can be useful in times of uncertainty

7/9/2020

Enhancing healthcare facility security using mass notification

Mass notification systems can connect many devices and other systems healthcare facilities already have in place and help leverage them for safety and communication needs

7/9/2020

COVID-19 outbreak brings rising attacks on healthcare workers

There have been more than 400 reported global incidents of COVID-19-related violence

7/8/2020

Pandemic changing strategies for parking garages

Moving into the new normal of parking garage management

7/8/2020

Best practices for maintaining flooring during COVID-19

Flooring can often make or break the efficacy of even the most rigorous sanitation efforts

7/8/2020

LA’s motion picture home battles coronavirus despite precautions

Management stockpiled surgical gowns, N95 masks and gloves

7/8/2020

Pa. nursing home requires non-medical staff to assist nurses

Building maintenance staff and others are told to help with resident care

7/7/2020

N95 mask shortage still a problem

More than 20 states saw an increase in their daily average of coronavirus cases in mid-June

7/7/2020

Michigan won’t put COVID-19 patients in vacant facilities

But state officials set up a system in which infected residents are cared for in isolated areas of nursing homes

7/7/2020

Hospitals in San Antonio implementing no-visitor policy amid Covid spike

Visitors allowed for critically ill, laboring, pediatric patients

7/7/2020

Security fundamentals for temporary facilities

Six steps for effective security design and operation during an emergency

7/7/2020

Covid outbreak at Mass. veterans facility linked catastrophic decisions

Holyoke Soldiers' Home outbreak killed 76 vets

7/6/2020

Veterans’ home had ‘the opposite of infection control’

An independent report on the coronavirus outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home found wards with both infected and uninfected patients

7/6/2020

Healthcare facilities adjust practices based on supply shortages

Many facilities have started self-producing PPE and test materials and reprocessing respirators

7/6/2020

Pro hand-hygiene culture better than monitoring devices

Consistent and constant messaging and staff empowerment as key drivers of success, according to a study

7/6/2020

Masks, field hospitals seen as urgent preparations for second wave

Ontario Hospital Association also called for the Ontario government to give clearer advice about when people should wear masks

7/6/2020

Tips for hiring healthcare cybersecurity pros

Cybersecurity requires people from all backgrounds and majors

7/6/2020

Reopening onsite restaurants in healthcare facilities

A limited menu, eliminated seating and enhanced cleaning policies can help the transition

7/2/2020

There’s still a PPE shortage in Massachusetts

A second wave could bring situation to crisis level

7/2/2020

Honda, GM producing hand sanitizer for healthcare facilities

An apparatus designed to manufacture the electrodes used in the fuel cells has been repurposed

7/2/2020

Preparation for entering the next pandemic with copper and other automatic door solutions

It is critical for public spaces to implement solutions to prevent escalating virus spread as they re-open in the new normal

7/2/2020

The more cybersecurity changes, the more it stays the same

It is time for an evolution in cybersecurity that focuses on adversary disruption

7/2/2020

GEMA, Georgia National Guard moving makeshift hospital for potential second wave

Seventy-six beds will be set up in the Youth ChalleNGe Academy in Milledgeville

7/1/2020

The importance of FTEs for pandemic preparedness

Full-time employees and contractors must be determined on an environment-by-environment basis

7/1/2020

Improving mobile medical equipment security and safety with electronic access control

Take time to review existing best practices and embrace innovation

7/1/2020

Preparing facilities for reopening

Take time to review existing best practices and embrace innovation

7/1/2020

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

7/1/2020

California hospital suspends admission of non-Coronavirus patients after surge of staff cases

The facility has been preparing for this type of surge since the pandemic began

6/30/2020

FEMA paid company $7M for plastic soda bottles

Original order was for test tubes for COVID-19 testing

6/30/2020

Cleanroom requirements and classifications for healthcare facilities

Cleanroom facilities provide an essential barrier against the spread of contaminants and disease in the healthcare sector

6/30/2020

Assisted living facilities running low on PPE equipment

Many facilities said they have less than a two-week supply of specific PPE

6/30/2020

Healthcare facility environmental services managers share top concerns

Role of the environmental services department in patient care often underestimated

6/30/2020

Pandemic has greatly increased the use of telemedicine

Will it be the future of healthcare?

6/30/2020

California long-term care facilities build booths for visits

Families visit loved ones through Plexiglas during pandemic lockdown

6/26/2020

Long Island emergency staff wants more security after bomb scare

Two floors, including the emergency room, were evacuated in the incident

6/26/2020

Infection preventionists are preparing for COVID’s second wave

Part of the process are education and establishing plans

6/26/2020

R.I. hospital using disinfecting units to fight coronavirus

The units use disinfecting solution effective against COVID-19

6/26/2020

Battling COVID with a video camera

With the continued need for social distancing, hospitals are seeking ways to distance healthcare workers form contagious patients

6/26/2020

A sustained response to COVID-19 depends on key capabilities

Kaiser Permanente put together a checklist to manage a pandemic

6/25/2020

How can hospitals prepare for two disasters at once?

Coordination with emergency response agencies is key

6/25/2020

How access control technology is being used in the pandemic

Technology is being used to help eliminate common touch points, isolate infected patients

6/25/2020

Reducing HAIs with touchpoint disinfecting

EVS staff should focus their efforts on one of the most challenging areas to disinfect

6/25/2020

Implementing a healthcare data platform to promote high-value care

The global pandemic amplifies the day-to-day challenges of identifying gaps in care

6/25/2020

Unions say mask decontamination endangers healthcare workers

N95 respirators used by clinical workers are complicated safety devices and are meant to be disposable, according to an expert

6/24/2020

Pittsburgh company repurposing industrial masks to use against Covid-19

Elastomeric masks cost more upfront, but they can be cleaned and reused for years, with the filter replaced monthly

6/24/2020

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

Professional environmental services make a science of cleaning

6/24/2020

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

Professional environmental services make a science of cleaning

6/24/2020

Indiana hospital security guard shoots, kills patient and fellow guard during assault

Patient had attacked nurse and was choking guard that was killed

6/23/2020

Senior living facilities applying Covid’s infection-control lessons long term

Procedures have come under scrutiny during the pandemic

6/23/2020

The impact of blue light on patients at night

Light is critical to our health because it helps synchronize the biological clock that maintains our circadian rhythms

6/23/2020

Study finds educating cleaning staff lowers C. diff infections

Study suggests focusing on knowledge gaps, challenges and barriers

6/23/2020

What if hospitals face a hurricane and coronavirus at the same time?

COVID 19 has made storm preparations even more critical

6/22/2020

N.H. nursing home workers petition for COVID-19 stipends

Facility staff in Rockingham County want to be compensated as front-line workers

6/22/2020

How hospitals can prepare for a ‘new normal’

Hospitals are facing new challenges that have lead to technological innovations

6/22/2020

Healthcare facility design can impact infection control

Environmental services should participate in the design process

6/22/2020

How to curb the spread of airborne and surface contaminants

Building’s mechanical systems can support occupant health

6/19/2020

Lessons learned in pandemic offer opportunities for change

Telehealth became more common with significant advances in the last 10 weeks

6/19/2020

Improving facility door security as crime risk increases

Door can have vulnerabilities that can be exploited

6/19/2020

Infection preventionists, environmental services staff urged to work together

COVID-19 is inspiring teams to improvise

6/19/2020

Cleaning machines may be smart investment for healthcare facilities

It is important that floor-cleaning machines be employed whether or not an imminent threat is already present

6/19/2020

Purdue University startup creates bedside hand-washing system

Project Process created a portable bedside sink

6/18/2020

Pennsylvania orders stricter COVID-19 protections for hospital workers

The measures include staff members in housekeeping services, dietary services and maintenance

6/18/2020

VA not prepared for second virus wave

Agency says it lacks adequate medical gear

6/18/2020

Sanitizing, stockpiling and communication helps keep nursing home stay COVID-free

Some of these steps happened before the U.S. entered its lockdown phase

6/18/2020

Environmental survey shows how HAIs often start

The researchers sampled 179 sites including sink traps, pulse oximeters, and door handles

6/18/2020

FDA updates rules on cleaning N95 masks

Some made In China should not be reused

6/17/2020

What hospitals can learn from the Parkview Medical shutdown

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

6/17/2020

Children in care at risk for coronavirus

Many have been locked down since late February facing isolation with strict social-distancing measures

6/17/2020

Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: Dead-bolt lock on closet door

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for a dead-bolt lock on closet door

6/17/2020

Environmental services technician certification proves its worth

Certification also helps decrease infection rates in hospitals

6/17/2020

Protecting healthcare facilities from drones

There continues to be a sharp increase in uses for drones - both positive and negative

6/16/2020

Reliable power source key during pandemic

In some countries, 25 percent of health clinics lack electricity

6/16/2020

N.Y. initiative boosts cleaning in longterm care facilities

Daily, discharge cleaning show improvements

6/16/2020

Alabama doctor invents hand-sanitizer-dispensing wristband

The device could be helpful in combating illnesses commonly spread by hand, such as the flu, the common cold and food poisoning

6/16/2020

Pop-up grocery stores popping into healthcare facilities

Foodservice company is converting existing retail space at healthcare facilities into 'pop-up' grocery stores to serve frontline healthcare workers

6/15/2020

Considerations for hospital and healthcare facility evacuations

Facilities should incorporate elements of an evacuation plan, with logistics and alternatives

6/15/2020

Healthcare design can help prevent infection spread in restrooms

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for better design in restrooms

6/15/2020

Coronavirus complicates hurricane planning

Storm shelters have to be designed for social distancing

6/12/2020

WHO says there’s a second outbreak of Ebola in Congo

Country already battling COVID-19 and measles

6/12/2020

Avoiding the hidden costs of environmental services staff injuries

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

6/12/2020

COVID-19 would complicate hospital evacuations

The University of Texas Medical Branch has been training to deal with a complex disaster during a COVID-19 flare up

6/11/2020

CDC updates COVID guidance for assisted living communities

The update provides recommendations on infection reporting, visitor restrictions and group activities

6/11/2020

Tackling difficult carpet stains

When an accident occurs, it is vital to clean bodily fluids from floors immediately and with caution

6/11/2020

Chatbots are reshaping the way COVID-19 ERA healthcare facilities and hospitals connect with patients

Tools that allow self-service customer response techniques are more important than ever

6/11/2020

Survey finds almost 75 percent of campuses use multiple emergency notification systems

But this total represents a drop since the last survey

6/11/2020

Minneapolis hospital cancels surgeries over safety concerns

Emergency procedures continued but other surgeries were postponed

6/10/2020

North Carolina using drones in Covid-19 response

Novant Health received a temporary waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly the drones

6/10/2020

Healthcare facilities urged to redefine their culture

Establishing a career path and offering continued development is important

6/10/2020

HEPA containment systems for isolation rooms

Because the ductwork is protected by the filter, there is a reduced risk of a potential contagion spreading in the ceiling service spaces

6/10/2020

Resilient design for healthcare facilities about more than disasters

Resilience can be about how the design holds up in the long-term

6/10/2020

Georgia student creating COVID-19 protective equipment

The equipment is made using a water-jet machining process

6/9/2020

Nursing home workers face risks during coronavirus

A third of Covid deaths in the U.S. have been in longterm care facilities

6/9/2020

Kaiser Permanente releases guidance on bringing back employees to the workplace

The playbook was made in response to requests from the health plan's customers

6/9/2020

COVID-19 increases importance of hand hygiene

Proper hand hygiene training called the number one way to reduce the spread of illnesses and viruses

6/9/2020

Environmental services' role goes beyond cleanliness

EVS professionals can impact patient satisfaction

6/9/2020

Elastomeric masks may be an alternative N-95s

Elastomeric masks used with a P100 filter provides 99.97 percent respiratory protection

6/8/2020

Strategies for effective healthcare facility management in the time of COVID-19

To support healthcare workers and limit the spread of the virus in care facilities, the impact of identifying critical areas that need support such as HVAC, fire systems, security, and building automation systems is underestimated

6/8/2020

Many common cleaning products reported effective against COVID-19 virus

The researchers said the microbicidals ethyl alcohol, para-chloro-meta-xylenol (PCMX), salicylic acid; and quaternary ammonium compounds kill 99.9 percent of coronaviruses

6/8/2020