February 23, 2018 University Health System Conference Room, 4502 Medical Center, San Antonio, TX 78229 Registration: Facility Managers $75 Members / $175 Non-Members Industry Associates $125 Members / $175 Non-Members In this first of a series of basic skills and educational development for the healthcare facility professional, the curriculum will provide an overview of codes, standards, and best practices that are designed to better orient the future healthcare leader to the regulatory knowledge and basic physics associated with managing a complex healthcare facility. Specialized instruction will be provided in Regulatory Codes/Standards, the basics of Psychrometrics, building controls, and energy management best practices, all as they relate to managing the physical environment and MEP infrastructure of a hospital or healthcare.

Registration and sponsorship now open! This year's conference features a Compliance, Operations, and a Quality Improvement Track.

Victoria Advocate Citizens Medical Center reported 3,209 ER visits in December and now plans are underway to renovate and expand the emergency department. The 17,708-square-foot expansion is expected to provide better privacy and improve patient flow.

Victoria Advocate The second floor of DeTar Hospital North will be upgraded focusing on the labor and delivery and women’s services units. Expected to be a $3.3M construction project, it is expected to provide patients with a new experience.

Environmental Leader There is a new energy efficiency standard for fluorescent tube lights. Hospitals, schools and offices across the country hope to see a significant decrease on their utility bills. Less efficient models that were manufactured after a certain date can no longer be sold in the U.S.

Science Daily A new air conditioner that is suitable for indoor and outdoor use is being researched. It not only operates without the use of energy-intensive compressors, but avoids the use of chemicals that may be harmful to the environment.

Health Facilities Management The number of hospitals that have switched to LED technology is increasing regularly. It offers benefits such as energy savings, easy maintenance, controllability and more. These LED systems offer different levels of automation resulting in a better experience.

In addition to ensuring a ligature-resistant or ligature-free environment in psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units within acute care hospitals as required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, health care facilities are expected to demonstrate how they identify at-risk patients and to give special consideration to locations in which this patient population is treated, such as emergency rooms. ASHE members have free access to a members-only tool to assess ligature risks.

Health Facilities Management ASHE provides insight on the interpretations of the revised Conditions of Participation for corridor doors. Many members have requested clarification on the revised code in regards to CMS prohibiting mechanisms that are used to maintain a door-closing force of five pounds.

ASHRAE Journal, By Marwa Zaatari, PhD

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News The presence of Legionella in the water system presents a danger to any individual in any situation; however the threat of infection is particularly dangerous in healthcare facilities where residents are more vulnerable. Follow these tips to help your facility develop an effective water management program!

Becker’s Hospital Review Flu season is in the works and researchers are using artificial intelligence to help protect Americans. As a virus that has the ability to mutate rapidly, Artificial Intelligence assists with forecasting and improving vaccines.

Healthcare Facilities Today The process of securing printers in your healthcare facilities can have more benefits than you may have originally thought. Precautionary measures such as video monitoring, locking cabinets and card swipes all provide value in ensuring the information within your facility is secure resulting in a stronger infrastructure.

Becker’s Hospital Review Healthcare Companies around the world made Fortune’s list. The 1,500 candidates were narrowed down to the highest revenue companies in each industry, resulting in a total of 680 companies. Find out which healthcare companies made the cut!