Focus: Environmental Services

Unsanitary conditions at Calif VA Center linked to rise in infections

Office of Inspector General report faults lack of environmental servicestraining


A new federal report says Department of Veterans Affairs officials failed to provide housekeeping staff at the VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif., with adequate training, possibly contributing to an increase in potentially deadly infections at the facility, according to an article on The Sun website.

 “Responsiveness to environment-of-care concerns is a shared responsibility between leadership, service chiefs and staff,” according to Kristen Hall, spokeswoman for the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System.

“Daily huddles between leadership and staff have resulted in a more rapid response to environment-of-care needs.”

Inspectors found that the medical center was not clean, its furnishings were in need of repair, and its Environmental Management Services Department did not have standard operating procedures for cleaning and sanitizing the facility.

Read the article.



June 27, 2019


Topic Area: Environmental Services


Recent Posts

How Retail Design Can Improve the Healthcare Patient Experience

Healthcare facilities can adapt retail design principles to improve patient comfort, streamline check-in and reuse existing spaces.


Jefferson Health Breaks Ground on Lehigh Valley Hospital—Coopersburg

It is expected to open in late 2027.


Encompass Health Plans Second Small-Format Rehabilitation Hospital

The hospital is expected to open in 2028.


Rethinking How Healthcare Facilities Fund Construction Projects

Rising costs and competing priorities are driving healthcare organizations to explore new financing arrangements and construction strategies.


Winners Named for the 15th Annual Healthcare Design Awards

All winners will be honored and the Best of Competition and Transformation and Innovation Award recipients will be announced during a celebration on November 12.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.