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The article focuses on implementing video and audio solutions for improving health care safety. Topics include the use of integrated systems with smart cameras and audio speakers for patient care enhancement, real-time patient monitoring, and the role of technology in revolutionizing health care operations and security.

The article focuses on the importance of assessing and mitigating risks in the electrical systems of healthcare facilities. Topics include the challenges of maintaining effective failure procedures in the face of ongoing changes, the significance of accurate equipment labeling and documentation, and the need for thorough vulnerability analyses.

The article focuses on the challenges and strategies related to equipment planning for imaging suites in healthcare construction projects. Topics include the complexities of integrating evolving technology, adapting to changing equipment needs, and ensuring future-proof infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of early planning and flexibility to accommodate advances in medical equipment and technology.

The article focuses on ASHE's Energy to Care® Program's Sustainability Champion Award given to 10 hospitals that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in healthcare sustainability, with topics including the efforts of these hospitals in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives that have led to notable improvements in their environmental impact, energy use, and overall sustainability practices.

The article discusses the top 10 findings related to physical environment nonconformities in health care facilities. The findings include issues with fire and safety hazards, improper handling of compressed gas cylinders, deficiencies in fire/smoke barrier penetrations, and inaccurate electrical box panel schedules, among others. The findings highlight the importance of proper planning, risk assessments, and oversight to ensure patient safety and compliance with standards.

The article informs Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center's new critical care building is not only focused on transforming patient care but also has a vision of positively impacting the economic outlook of the community by creating sustainable job opportunities and fostering diversity in the construction industry. The project achieved its goals by collaborating with local partners and providing training and job opportunities to underemployed and unemployed community members.

The article informs Modular and prefabricated construction is gaining popularity in the healthcare industry due to its ability to quickly increase capacity and improve efficiency, though challenges remain, such as the need for early collaboration and addressing unknowns in the construction process. Health facilities professionals are increasingly embracing these innovative construction methods to meet cost and schedule challenges.

The article offers a preview of multiple products for hospital use, including Easy Reach Synthesis Wall-Hung Cabinetry for improved ergonomic reach and visibility, from Midmark Inc; IOA Cama patient chair for increasing patient mobility, from Cama Collection LLC, and Comfort First chairs and tables for patients and visitors, from Kwalu Inc.

The article states that effective safety features begin with facility design, as it is essential for healthcare facilities to ensure that their fire and smoke barriers are maintained effectively. It mentions that details of assemblies needed for fire resistance or smoke barrier purposes are specified in the construction documents. It also mentions that minimum protection levels for healthcare occupants are prescribed by the U.S. building codes and National Fire Protect Association's NFPA 101. INSET: Common frestopping questions.

The article states that the U.S. American Society for Health Care Engineering's (ASHE's) Health Facilities Management (HFM) magazine conducted a survey in 2023, which involved facilities professionals from across the United States. It mentions that environmental sustainability and decarbonization goals were publicly committed to by over half of the respondents' organizations.

The article discusses advantages of data capturing in development of codes and standards in American health-care industry. Topics discussed include the advancement in the fire protection system used in healthcare facility including noncombustible building construction, it also discusses how computerized maintenance management system and other digital database are used by technicians and mentions that data helps American Society for Health Care Engineering's (ASHE's) to implement code faster. INSETS: Taking advantage of codes flexibility.;Helping to improve hospital codes..

The article discusses importance of resilient hospital as recognized by Military Health System (MHS). Topics discussed include that the Department of Defense (DOD) recognized a need for resilience in its infrastructure and defined components of building resiliency in 2009, discussed "four Rs" of resiliency by Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG); and reviews the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. INSET: Critical adjacencies aid resiliency..

The article offers information on the nurse communication systems. Topics discussed include the latest feature the intuitive voice recognition system that enables clinicians to update patients and families via texts, photos and videos; discussed additional features of nurse communication systems available to the hospital; and offers review on Jeron Electronic Systems Inc., Niles Ill., the Provider 700 Nurse Call system.

The article discusses the effect of hurricane Ian on Lee Health in southwest Florida and discussed ways to deal with natural disaster. Topics discussed include the precautionary measures used by the Hospital before the hurricane, including assessing its fuel situation, moving in supplies, clearing storm parking lot and rooftop drainage systems, and staging materials and discussed importance of investing in proactive maintenance and having multiple backup plans to deal with natural disaster. INSET: Resiliency begins with preparation..

The article discusses efforts of the American Society for Health Care Engineering's (ASHE's) Advocacy Team to pursue sustainability goals in health care industry of America. Topics discussed include key initiatives and area of focus of the advocacy team which focuses on decarbonization and climatic crisis helping the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adopt updated standards that will improve energy efficiency and lower energy costs and discussed on code unification and improvement. INSETS: ASHE and ASHRAE provide helpful resources for sustainability.;ASHE surveys help improve facility codes and standards..

The article offers reviews of innovative products for healthcare facilities, including the Veritus air-source heat pump water heater by Lochinvar using R513A refrigerant, the Roar panic button by Roar for instant emergency notification, and the Framery Q Meeting Maggie pod by Framery.

The article discusses the products with new features and capabilities to counter the challenges due to water treatment products for hospitals. It emphasizes the health and safety of the various water systems within a facility, including air-conditioning cooling towers and kitchen and laundry applications, along with the domestic hot water systems supplying public-access toilets, lavatories, and showers in patient rooms and surgical applications.

The article discusses discrete event simulation (DES) to eliminate uncertainty in the built environment before the design takes physical form. DES is considered an effective tool for evaluating resource pooling, performance outcomes, and turnaround times across different situations. DES has been used to resolve issues such as patient wait time for providers or clinic rooms and provides opportunities for exploring staff reduction for efficient healthcare operations.

The article discusses the American Society for Health Care Engineering resource guide titled ICRA 2.0. Process Guide. It mentions that an infection control risk assessment is anytime required for construction, renovation, and maintenance involving alteration of building systems that impacts environmental conditions that can increase infection risks, such as disruption of ventilation systems, demolition or construction activities creating dust, and interference with patients.

The article presents the author's views on the American Society for Health Care Engineering's (ASHE's) educational resources, which can be vital to becoming an effective healthcare facilities manager. It mentions that the in-person educational opportunities at conventions are valuable, and a new program is designed to help young professionals maximize their convention experience. The Shadow Program is designed to allow new ASHE members to work with more experienced members at ASHE events.

The article discusses the rapid growth of real-time location systems (RTLSs), also known as real-time locating systems, in hospitals, as of October 2022. Topics include benefits provided by RTLS, the collaboration of Midmark RTLS with health care systems to extend staff dures functionality to ambulatory facilities, and significance of machine learning to RTLS according to Philip Wehn, vice president of innovation and strategy at Enlighted, A Siemens Company.

The article reports on the publication of a white paper titled "Design of Behavioral Crisis Units," by the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) to expand on the "2022 Guidelines for Design and Construction" documents. Topics discussed include the primary purpose of behavioral health crisis units (BHCUs), the Triple Aim of health care, and factors that should be considered when planning a BHCU, hospitals or health care systems.

The article offers information on upgradation of vital functions in the rural hospital projects. Topics include how imaging and lab departments of the rural hospitals have not been upgraded since the opening of the existing facility; how the emergency department (ED) became the central focus for upgrading care; and plans for changes in the rural hospitals.

The article offers information on comprehensive emergency management programs for the hospitals. Topics include updates to TJC's emergency management chapter in the Comprehensive Accreditation Manuals for hospitals and critical access hospitals; preparing an organized systemic approach in planning and decision-making for security of patients during an emergency; and goals of the emergency management program.

The article discusses postponement in construction of Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake, Washington, due to COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include supply and worker shortages due to price increase and the covid-19 pandemic; escalating inflation impact on the construction projects of the hospitals; and how prices are driven by shortages in materials like copper, steel, concrete, lumber, glass, paint and roofing materials.

The article provides steps on how to decarbonize the health care facilities. Topics discussed include the importance of energy efficiency in achieving reductions in carbon emissions; the significance of purchasing power from renewable sources of generation, such as wind and solar in reducing carbon emissions; and the need of converting fossil heating, water heating and cooking to electric service.

The article focuses on the preventive approach of the health care facilities to their physical environment. Topics discussed include the requirement of the formalized processes to reach the best possible outcomes for the patient care; the importance of the properly trained doctors, nurses and ancillary clinical staff; and the significance of reinforcing the theme of risk-based thinking in the facilities' professionals.

The article discusses ways to enhance Covid-19 pandemic preparedness and sustainability. Topics include preparing an appendix to the International Existing Building Code that aims to provide guidance related to temporary health care occupancies; and COVID-19 pandemic has really brought to the forefront the need for temporary facilities to be used for health care in response to needing additional surge capacity.

The article reports that health care facilities management professionals are primarily concerned with meeting the vast requirements of The Joint Commission, DNV, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It mentions that fundamentals is a confined space program as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulating confined spaces for routine work atmospheres (OSHA General Industry Standard.

The article discusses the advances in lighting fixtures and controls cover many areas that can benefit hospitals and health care facilities. Topics include growing trend toward sealed and cleanable fixtures as well as reduced dependence on wall-mounted fixtures in patient care areas; and energy efficiency has been and will remain a driving factor for lighting fixtures and controls in health care spaces.

The article explores how predictive maintenance for hospital equipment as an important tool in a health care facility's Reduced Complexity Modeling (RCM) toolbox. It mentions that condition-based maintenance (CBM), can improve the reliability of health care infrastructure equipment and systems, while also reducing maintenance costs that can help health facilities professionals solve problems.

The article reports that nursing homes chapter in the 2022 Residential Guidelines features clarified resident room sizes and clearances has a cabinet at the entry to store occupant medications that support decentralized medicine delivery oversized to maximize natural light. It mentions about common for Health Guidelines Revision Committee members to debate about hand sanitization and what design is appropriate to isolate airborne infectious agents after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article reports that World Meteorological Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations made up of member states and territories, the number of weather-climate- and water-related disasters. It mentions that Health care facilities managers all plan and prepare for events in their emergency operations plan (EOP), with the diversity of weather events experienced across the U.S. will affect all health care facilities in different ways, regardless of geographic location.

The article looks at reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) for hospital equipment. It mentions that RCM is a maintenance strategy that not only considers equipment condition, but also considers other factors unique to individual pieces of equipment, such as equipment function, consequences of equipment failure, and the operational environment. INSETS: CMS's descriptions of acceptable alternate maintenance programs;Modified CMS methodology.

The article reports that change in architectural design of health care facilities are driven by a series of factors such as cataclysmic event. It mentions that the goals of resiliency and flexibility must address both the ability to maintain operations and limit downtime amid a change event, providing a reasonable value proposition to health care organizations.

The article reports that health care facilities have become more data-rich as influx of insights and metrics offered by this data can help facilities managers make informed decisions with overall operational efficiency in mind. It mentions that American Society for Health Care Engineering's (ASHE's) Energy to Care Program to offer tools for facilities managers to access, monitor and analyze energy usage data. INSET: Data for safety and efficiency.

The article presents the International Code Council (ICC) is the model code organization that develops and produces the International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code and others. Topics include the codes are updated every three years and are in the second year of the development of the 2024 editions, and the IBC and the associated fire are adopted at the state level or sometimes the local municipality level.

The article focuses on digital wayfinding systems come in a variety of formats such as wall signage and kiosks to help visitors, patients and staff navigate their way through health care facilities. Topics include the use of mobile solutions also has expanded significantly, helping users find their ultimate destination, a journey that can begin at home and end at a hospital procedure room.

The article presents the high demand for health care services and the capacity issues in health care environments, it's never been more important to utilize available technology to reduce incidents of all kinds in the hospital environment. Topics include the ever-changing circumstances have made it necessary to put in place new security protocols, and the proper operational technology is vital to ensuring the safety and comfort of patients and loved ones.

The article offers information on the importance of water management, outlines existing industry standards and provides recommendations for facilities managers to align with these standards and guidelines. It discusses that Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria; and a person contracts Legionnaires' disease by inhaling or aspirating water droplets containing viable Legionella.

The article offers information on the hospitals which are high-volume, high-traffic facilities as they require access control solutions that can handle many people with different credentials and authorizations. It discusses that hospitals, which were once open environments, have had to redesign spaces to reflect today's security needs; with space at a premium, more hospitals are requesting access control panels in rack-mount configurations to save on wall space.

The article offers information on the improvements in preventing health care-associated infections (HAIs). It discusses that hospitals have encouraged every department, including those once considered beyond the realm of patient care, to prioritize HAI prevention; and to strengthen the impact facilities managers and engineers can have on infection control, this department needs to build strong partnerships with the infection prevention professionals tackling this challenge from other areas.

The article offers information on the Penn Medicine, has switched to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, added variable-speed drives (VSDs) to Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment when possible, and replaced older chillers and recommissioned entire buildings to increase efficiency, among other things. It discusses that developing a plan to improve a hospital's sustainability seems like a logical step, but most efforts to reduce a hospital's environmental footprint.

The article offers review on bedsheets and curtains for hospital use including "TrapMore" disposable dusting sheets by Contec Professional; "Quietude" privacy curtains by Carnegie Fabrics and "ZipSheet" a quick-install, sustainable plastic sheeting by ZipWall.

The article discusses how hospitals can adopt and implement sustainable energy and environmental practices, particularly on their focus on three areas to improve design and operations. Also cited are how said practices can transform hospitals as healthy structures for human occupancy, as well as the three areas of opportunities for sustainability, namely, materials, applications, and energy management.

The article reports on the highlights of the 2022 Hospital Construction Survey by the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE), including the percentage of hospitals which performed emergency repair on an equipment following maintenance deferral. Also cited are the higher cost of emergency repairs compared to preventive maintenance and the claim by ASHE's Chad E. Beebe that hospitals should not defer critical maintenance activities.

The article explores the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) represents professionals who design, build, and operate hospitals and other health care facilities. The ASHE advocacy team monitors and works to unify the overlapping codes and standards regulating the health care physical environment.

The article states that Johann Goethe, the 18th century polymath, once remarked, "Architecture is frozen music," by which he meant architecture interprets and expresses the values of its time — sometimes in a general epoch and sometimes at a very precise point. Experienced health care architects will appreciate this phenomenon, as current project drivers may have eclipsed those of decades past.

The article explores the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) advocacy staff has spent much effort on sustainability, particularly how to define the terminology commonly used in that field. For example, the concept of minimizing carbon emissions is connected to terms such as "carbon neutral," "carbon zero" and "carbon negative." All of these terms mean somewhat the same thing but, without clear definitions, it's difficult for a hospital to meet a particular carbon-related goal.

The article explores The world's concern over COVID-19 ebbs and flows as infections fluctuate and variants emerge, but from the perspective of American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) advocacy experts, the illness continues to dominate conversations. The pandemic touches so many aspects of hospital facilities that its impact will be felt for decades.