TAHFM e-Newsletter

Texas Association of Healthcare Facilities Management

Events and Education
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.

Visit https://tahfm.site-ym.com/event/2018sanantonio_fmbt to view the full article online.

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

Visit http://www.tahfm.org/page/Interlink2018 to view the full article online.

 
LMC Fire & Security
Door Control Services Inc
Member Spotlight
 
   
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.

Visit https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2018/jan/24/hospital-starts-design-process-for-er-expansion-pr/ to view the full article online.

 
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.

Visit https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2018/jan/10/detar-hospital-north-to-undergo-33m-renovations/ to view the full article online.

 
Absolute Testing Services
ParkMed, Inc.
Energy Roundup Tips
 
   
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.

Visit https://www.environmentalleader.com/2018/01/bulbs-must-better-beginning-week/ to view the full article online.

 
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.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180108133239.htm to view the full article online.

 
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.

Visit https://www.hfmmagazine.com/articles/3256-lighting-goes-high-tech-to-better-serve-hospitals to view the full article online.

 
Specified Technologies Inc.
ASHE Update
 
   
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.

Visit http://www.ashe.org/news/cms-clarifies-ligature-risk-policy to view the full article online.

 
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.

Visit https://www.hfmmagazine.com/articles/3258-clarification-on-cms-life-safety-requirements-for-door-latches to view the full article online.

 
 
The Filter Man, Ltd.
Prism Electric Inc
Your Facilities Management News
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!

Visit https://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/how-to-develop-a-water-management-program/article/738635 to view the full article online.

 
 
   
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.

Visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/artificial-intelligence/2-ways-ai-is-helping-fight-the-flu-this-season-and-those-to-come.html to view the full article online.

 
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.

Visit http://www.healthcarefacilitiestoday.com/posts/Can-a-different-approach-to-printer-security-benefit-facilities-management--17462 to view the full article online.

 
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!

Visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/rankings-and-ratings/33-healthcare-companies-named-to-fortune-s-2018-world-s-most-admired-companies.html to view the full article online.

 
Texas Association of Healthcare Facilities Management
PO Box 1056 | Leander, TX 78646 | Phone: 512-220-4291 | Fax: 512-692-2651                                      www.tahfm.org