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Maximizing Hospital Systems for OSHA and Joint Commission Compliance
In the past few years The Joint Commission (TJC) has placed new emphasis on the importance of building management systems in improving patient safety, and has started to incorporate these systems into their standards. As the Joint Commission becomes more involved in regulating these s
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Building-Related Illness: How Do Sick Buildings Affect Occupant Health?
It turns out that the good old phrase “go get some fresh air” may have more relevance today than ever before. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor environments have two to five times more pollutants than outdoor environments. In extreme cases, ind
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Infection Control Training Courses: Are They Worthwhile for Design & Construction Professionals?
Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) still pose a major threat to patients in healthcare facilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 1.7 million people acquire HAIs each year and 99,000 people die as a result of these infections. Additionally about 5,00
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OSHA Update: Could This New Website Make Hospitals Safer for Employees?
We often think of a hospital as one of the safest places to be–but what about for hospital employees? Healthcare professionals face an increased risk of injury and illness every day while at work. Fortunately, OSHA (the Occupational Health and Safety Administration) recognized t
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Key Exceptions in 2014 FGI Guidelines for Healthcare Design & Construction
The newest Facility Guidelines Institute’s (FGI’s) Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities include notable changes aimed at improving the standard of care in healthcare facilities. And while these updates will help improve patient health and safet
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2014 FGI Guidelines for Healthcare Design & Construction Come With a Silver Lining
The newest Facility Guidelines Institute’s (FGI’s) Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities includes notable changes that have improved the standard of care in healthcare facilities. And while these updates will help improve patient health and safe
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Infection Prevention in Healthcare Design
Patients’ health and safety is at the forefront of healthcare goals, but oftentimes risks for hospital-acquired infections are not addressed until construction on a facility has already started, or an infection has broken out. Infection control actually starts in the design of a
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The Importance of Comprehensive Infection Control Risk Assessments
An Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) is an essential step in limiting the acquisition and transmission of infections in a healthcare environment. According to The Joint Commission, an ICRA needs to be conducted when significant changes in the environment, community or patient p
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Hospital-Acquired Infections: What You Need to Know
In today’s healthcare reality, there is improved sanitation and public health, greater access to preventative care and vaccinations, and increased life expectancy for patients. New technology and more intensive care units also mean that healthcare facilities are able to treat pa
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