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Environmental surface surveillance is a valuable tool for detecting and controlling infectious diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via contaminated surfaces. However, few studies have evaluated environmental contamination in non-clinical settings during outbreaks. We conducted a study in a school community during a major outbreak, collecting 35 surface samples from high-traffic areas and testing them for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using RT-qPCR. Our results showed that 31.4% of samples were positive, including high-touch surfaces such as drinking fountains and washbasins. These findings emphasize the importance of environmental monitoring to identify and address specific areas for attention, and implementing such strategies can help prevent the indirect transmission of COVID-19 in various settings.

Stainless steel implants are suitable candidates for bone replacement due to their cytocompatibility and mechanical resistance, but they suffer from lack of bioactivity and are prone to bacterial infections. Accordingly, to overcome those limitations, in this study we developed by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), an innovative surface coating made of (i) zein, a natural fibroblast-friendly polymer, (ii) bioactive glass, a pro-osteogenic inorganic material and (iii) copper containing bioactive glass, an antibacterial and pro-angiogenic material. FESEM images confirmed that porous, uniform and free of cracks coatings were obtained by EPD; moreover, coatings were resistant to mechanical stress as demonstrated by the tape test, resulting in a 4B classification of adhesion to the substrate. The coatings were cytocompatible as indicated by metabolism evaluation of human fibroblasts, endothelial cells and mature or progenitor osteoblasts cultivated in direct contact with the specimens. They also maintained pro-osteogenic properties towards undifferentiated progenitor cells that expressed osteogenic genes after 15 days of direct cultivation. Copper conferred antibacterial properties as biofilm formation of the joint pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coliwas significantly reduced in comparison with copper-free coatings (p < 0.05). Moreover, this anti-infective activity resulted as targeted towards bacteria while the cells viability was preserved when cells and bacteria were cultivated in the same environment by a co-culture assay. Finally, copper ability to recruit blood vessels and to inhibit bacterial infection was confirmed in vivowhere the growth of S. aureusbiofilm was inhibited and the formation of new (<50 μm diameter spread) blood vessels was observed.

The article discusses an initiative taken by the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) to save 2.1 million U.S. dollars in annual labor costs. It mentions that the UI Health has implemented a new staffing process and a scheduling tool which were based on the predictive modelling technique. According to Beena Peters, an associate director of nursing at the UI Health, the tool uses an algorithm which manages the nurse staffing needs based on current and trend data.

The article focuses on the merger between Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) and IHA, a private multispecialty group in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that aimed to address the financial problem of SJMHS. It mentions that some of the employed physicians at SJMHS will be integrated to IHA. Furthermore, SJMHS system and strategy development vice president Steven Paulus says that SJMHS's parent organization, Trinity Health Corp., has provided capital resources to back up the merger.

The article reports an initiative by Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, South Carolina's staff to reduce the unit cost of spinal implants, and that was achieved by reducing vendors and comparing unit cost pricing.

The article focuses on improvement in energy efficiency in Gundersen Health System, a health care organization and mentions conduction of an energy audit to save money by energy efficiency, partnership with organizations for sustainability projects and using of biomass boiler for energy generation.

The article discusse the reduction of supply costs at the Mayo Clinic through the creation of a supply and technology team (STT), improvement of inventory control and working with physicians to leverage on economies of scale through the use of analytics in examining waste using data in the supply information management system.

The article presents a case study on how post-acute care providers can improve care transitions and reduce costly readmissions efforts of a hospital. As mentioned, post-acute side was Stafford Healthcare at Ridgemont and on the hospital side was Bremerton, Washington-based Harrison Medical Center. It also highlights the steps followed during the study including establishment of a steering committee, creation of a Charter and focus on one patient population.

The article discusses the implementation of Duke University Health System in Durham, North Carolina on a rigorous capital approval process for $1 million-plus expenditures. It mentions that the approach allow the three-hospital system to make strategic investments. It notes that there are two templates in developing business plans, including clinical, and nonclinical projects. It also outlines the three main parts of clinical project template.

The article offers information on the outpatient care in Presbyterian hospital in New York. It states that hospital's pro posed outpatient building called the David H. Koch Center, offers an opportunity for the system to make its outpatient care more patient-centered while improving operational performance.