As the pandemic continues to affect how occupants enter buildings, facility managers have to carefully consider how they’ll implement access control procedures and equipment that are both secure and safe.
COVID-19 has forced hospitals to change many practices and focus mainly on keeping everyone safe from exposure to the virus and away from past operational practices. Fortunately, this has created new ways for hospitals to respond and adapt. One such advantage is embracing technology to aid in deploying solutions to otherwise weak points in protocols to […]
By Thom Wellington, CEO and Founder of Wellington Environmental This past winter, my wife and I checked into a Florida condo at Christmas for a long planned get away — someplace warm, with an ocean view, to relax and plan for the coming new year. Once we checked into our room, I noticed the toilet […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is threatening to make hospital inspection results by accreditation providers such as The Joint Commission, DNV, CIHQ and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program public so that patients can see potential violations prior to choosing a hospital. CMS submitted a survey and certification letter, dated April 16, 2017, announcing […]
Health care associated infections (HAIs) are drawing increasing attention from patients, insurers, government and regulatory agencies. Everyone must understand their role in improving outcomes. Education is essential for infection control since most HAIs are considered preventable. You would not get on an airplane knowing the pilot had no training. It’s not just pilots who require […]
Too often we hear about the cost of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) as related to the responsible hospital. Traveling around the country and working closely with health care systems on reducing infections, I have seen internal costs for HAIs ranging from $25,000 to $45,000 per incident. The individual costs of infection are reason enough to place […]
Innovation in pediatric care may be natural for young physicians, but a paradigm shift for older pediatric docs. Innovation is quickly weaving its way into health care with younger patients and families welcoming the changes. Beyond the technological advances, infection prevention in pediatrics remains to be an important factor as innovation transforms the delivery of […]
A noticeable change is occurring at the front entrance to hospitals. Currently, many facilities allow incoming visitors, contractors and others to enter hospitals from multiple access points – adjoining medical office buildings, side doors, delivery doors, as well as the front door, without questioning or stopping anyone. Visitors still stop at information desks inquiring about […]
Even though CRISPR sounds like something as simple as a cereal or a toaster treat, it is actually a scientific development that is making research faster and cheaper with more accurate results. CRISPR is a powerful gene-editing technology that is already showing promise in curing difficult and deadly diseases. CRISPR is a defense mechanism found […]
Just when you thought things were improving with hospital safety and health care associated infections (HAIs), new research shows health care associated pathogens remain active on all types of surfaces for extended periods of time. CMS submitted a survey and certification letter, dated April 16, 2017, announcing the intention to publish proposed changes that will […]