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HFM Daily

HFM Daily offers blog coverage by the award-winning HFM editorial team and links to in-depth information on health care design, construction, engineering, environmental services, operations and technology. You can read HFM Daily stories on this page or subscribe to Health Facilities Management This Week for a Friday roundup of the week's posts.

FGI opens up 2022 Guidelines for public comment

Facility Guidelines Institute walks through revisions to the 2022 Guidelines now open for public comment.

July 23, 2020

The facility's role in infection prevention

Fans, hand rubs and fomites present risk management challenges in health care facilities.

July 23, 2020 by Melissa Braskie, CHFM, CHSP

CMMS features improve health facility operations

Maintenance software emphasizes mobility, connectivity and more.

July 26, 2020 by Neal Lorenzi

A review of common hospital utility risks

Proactive assessment of hospital utilities can help to minimize risks and ensure safe and efficient operations.

July 24, 2020 by David L. Stymiest PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE FASHE

HFM News

ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170 open for comment

A list of ASHRAE addenda, revisions and drafts affecting health care open for public comment.

August 14, 2020 By HFM Staff

USACE reopens shuttered facility

The Illinois hospital was reopened on a condensed timeline to help with possible patient surge.

August 13, 2020 By Jamie Morgan

Weighing the benefits and challenges of patient cohorting

Factors infection preventionists should consider when planning patient care arrangements during a pandemic.

August 6, 2020 By Jeffrey T. O'Neill, AIA, ACHA, CHFM and Onyeka Nwankwo, M.D.

Editor's Picks

Waging the battle against COVID-19

Expert provides cleaning and disinfection advice for environmental services professionals during unprecedented time.

May 14, 2020 By Doe Kley, R.N., CIC, MPH, T-CHEST

Receptacle testing in patient areas

Developing a policy to ensure proper operation of devices during emergency and enhance electrical safety.

May 27, 2020 By Frank D. Rudilosso, PE, CHSP and Mary Alcaraz, PE, LC, CEM, LEED AP

Energy Treasure Hunt reveals hidden inefficiencies

University of Maryland Medical Center goes on a hunt to find ways to decrease its energy consumption.

May 26, 2020 By Camille Fink

The Joint Commission pilots virtual surveys during pandemic

The accrediting organization has tested out a new format for its physical environment surveys.

July 9, 2020 by Jamie Morgan

Upcoming fire and life safety code changes

An overview of code changes included in the 2021 editions of NFPA 99 and NFPA 101

May 27, 2020 by Jonathan Hart, PE, SASHE, CHC

Designing the inclusive inpatient room

Advice for design teams on planning spaces to handle medical and behavioral health comorbidities .

May 19, 2020 by Shary Adams, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C, Lou Ann Bunker-Hellmich, EDAC, Kara Freihoefer, NCIDQ, EDAC, LEED ID+C, and Terri Zborowsky, R.N., EDAC, CPXP

Design Center

Letting the light in

Designers bring new rays of hope to behavioral health facilities. Read the related article "Building better behavioral health care facilities."

Nurses in the design process

A gallery of images of nurses working with design teams and the results of their work.

Green flooring

A gallery showing sustainable flooring options in health care facilities.

Health facility lighting

Tunable white light adds to patient comfort and well-being.

Web Exclusives

Bulk medical oxygen systems

How the COVID-19 crisis can impact medical gas infrastructure.

May 29, 2020 by Edmund Lydon, CHFM, FASHE
Optimizing hospital HVAC systems

Addressing energy use, system resiliency and other challenges.

September 24, 2019 by Eric Peltier
Preserving construction capital

Five ways to improve efficiency in health care projects.

July 24, 2019 by Brian Mock

Inside HFM

Deferring ITM: Safety or sacrifice?

Flexibility on ITM requirements has helped to ensure overall safety of health care environments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 16, 2020 by Jeffrey E. Henne, FASHE, CHSP, FSM, CHEP, CHC

Interview

Preparing architects for challenges ahead

ACHA President Vince Avallone discusses the organization's new and ongoing initiatives.

July 22, 2020 by Mike Hrickiewicz

Field Report

Clearing the lines of communication

Health system uses critical communications system to connect with facilities across five counties.

July 22, 2020 by HFM Staff

News

Kaiser races toward sustainability goal

Health care system moves closer to carbon neutrality by end of year, and carbon positive by 2025.

July 20, 2020 by Andrew Dickey

Codes & Standards

FCC grants conditional waiver to support WMTS

Plus: Facility Guidelines Institute to create guidelines for emergency conditions.

June 24, 2020 by HFM Staff

Products

Solutions: Flooring, security and access control products

Flooring, security and access control, and more products on our radar.

July 22, 2020 by HFM Staff

Design Spotlight

Facility designed with compassion and care

Cancer care center uses hospitality design to inspire an environment of healing and well-being.

August 10, 2020 by HFM Staff

Special Report

Defining and pursuing operational excellence

ASHE's operational excellence committee discusses what it means to maximize outcomes and which KPIs matter most.

May 26, 2020 by Jeffrey Steele

Expert Insights

Research and testing regarding fire doors

ASHE makes plans to test and study how door gap sizes influence fire door performance during a fire.

July 16, 2020 by Paul Dzurinda, CFPS, CHSP

From Our Archives

Opportunities for EVS leadership

Environmental services leaders must embrace change to stay at the forefront of health care's evolution.

June 26, 2019 by Patti Costello
FGI provides updated guidance on designing mobile medical units

Task force revisits Guidelines as number of higher-acuity patients being treated in mobile units increases.

January 7, 2019 by Skip Gregory, NCARB
Trailblazer wins ASHE President’s Award

Compliance expert Susan McLaughlin discusses her career journey, paving a path for others and major compliance challenges in the field.

January 9, 2019 by Mike Hrickiewicz