LEDs Reduce Costs, Boost Patient Satisfaction
DURHAM, N.C. — The around-the-clock nature of hospitals can make lighting an expensive technology, which is why conserving energy and finding low-cost alternatives is especially important.
2014
Leapfrog Group Reveals 2014 Top Hospitals
WASHINGTON — The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., announced its annual list of top hospitals. The award, which is being presented to 94 facilities this year, recognizes hospitals that qualify as excellent, according to Leapfrog’s annual hospital survey. The survey analyzes a combination of safety, quality and resource use standards set by the organization.
AMA Demands Meaningful Use Program Changes
CHICAGO — The American Medical Association (AMA) has officially adopted a policy that calls on lawmakers to stop penalties within the federal government’s Meaningful Use program.
Fewer Hospital Errors Save 50,000 Patients Nationwide
WASHINGTON — Fewer patients are dying and billions are being saved in health care costs due to safer hospital environments, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Jessie Robertson
Jessie Robertson has rejoined HGA Architects and Engineers as associate vice president and business developer in the Los Angeles office. Robertson, who previously served as HGA’s business developer between 2006 and 2010, will implement new business and marketing strategies in health care, higher education and government/corporate market sectors in Southern California.
Haley Driscoll
Francis Cauffman, a New York-based architecture firm, announced that Haley Driscoll, IIDA, has been promoted to director of health care interior design. Driscoll is an interior designer with knowledge of health care issues and trends. She has more than 20 years experience at the firm, managing nationally-acclaimed projects for health care environments. She also oversees new and long-term client relationships.
Wall-Mounted Workstation
Carstens Inc. has launched a new line of Wallaroo wall-mounted workstations with Isonas access-control technology. The system allows an authorized user to open locked cabinets and other access points throughout a facility with a single swipe card. Carstens is a top supplier of patient record-keeping solutions, from customized charting systems to EHR support.
North Shore-LIJ Launch Helicopter Emergency Service
MANHASSET, N.Y. — The North Shore-LIJ Health System has launched the New York area’s first hospital-to-hospital helicopter emergency medical service, a program called SkyHealth.
Military’s Largest Outpatient Ambulatory Center Continues Construction
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio will soon be home to the largest outpatient ambulatory care center for the Department of Defense. Phase I of the four-phase Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center project at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas is now complete.
Poor Patient Hygiene Increases Hospital Infection Risk
STAMFORD, Conn. — Hospital patients may be at risk of infection due to their own poor hand hygiene, according to a new study.
A University of Toronto study, published in the October 2014 issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology entitled “Measurement of patient hand hygiene in multi-organ transplant units using a novel technology: an observational study,” analyzed the movement and behavior of staff, patients and equipment in a Toronto hospital. Researchers used the Hospital Watch Live System from Toronto-based health care IT company Infonaut.