|
Following the worst year since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2023 presented a more promising trend for hospitals and health systems with general improvement across operational and financial measures, according to the latest data from consulting firm Kaufman Hall. The median calendar year-to-date operating margin index for hospitals was 2.3% in December, with year-end accounting adjustments contributing to a slight bump in performance, according to findings in the January National Hospital Flash Report. The January Physician Flash Report found that provider productivity has increased, but expenses continue to outpace revenue growth.
Hospital finances approach pre-pandemic levels
Hospitals and health systems saw significant financial improvement in 2023, but whether this will hold moving forward remains to be seen. The average length of stay has declined on a year-over-year basis as hospitals have worked to establish and maintain clear pathways for patient discharge. However, average length of stay may ultimately rise as lower-acuity patients are increasingly treated outside of the hospital setting. Outpatient revenue has grown significantly — increasing by more than 40% compared to 2020.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Condenser and evaporator coils are an integral part of HVAC systems. Dirty A/C coils cause systems to run hotter, run longer, and cost a LOT more to operate. The drastic increase in costs and undue strain on system components are not the only negative impact dirty coils can have on a facility. The evaporator coil and its condensate pan can become fouled with pollen, mold spores, and other biocontaminants, adversely affecting indoor air quality (IAQ). When a facility is experiencing poor IAQ, it can cause major discomfort and potential health issues for occupants in your buildings.
Luckily, Goodway has your back with industry-leading coil cleaning solutions. Goodway coil cleaning solutions are built to deliver fast, easy, and highly effective cleaning of your condenser and evaporator coils. Cut costs, and improve efficiency and IAQ with the right coil cleaning solution. Use the company's Coil Cleaning Buying Guide to find the right solution to meet your needs.
| |
|
The building technology issues at healthcare facilities and medical office buildings demand optimal performance at all times. FMs in healthcare and their building ops teams are seeking training because new tech, building operations and maintenance techniques are always emerging. For hospitals’ FM leadership and the staff they manage, it’s important to keep abreast of developments through education and visiting with suppliers. Training, networking and product knowledge have a solid home at NFMT 2024, the National Facilities Management & Technology show in Baltimore, March 12-14, themed, “We Are FM.”
As the first FM show every year, The McMorrow Reports & FMLink always attend, eager to see what’s concerning industry professionals and exploring sessions that are relevant for our readers. Education sessions that may have the greatest appeal for healthcare building managers include:
NFMT offers educations sessions in the following tracks: Asset Management; Energy & Sustainability; Future Trends; Health & Safety; M&O; Security; and Technology.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Marmoleum Solid contributes to the well-being of individuals by bringing nature inside, creating healthy spaces to work, learn, heal and play. The Solid collection is minimalistic, pure and timeless, providing a long-lasting foundation that never goes out of style and mixes well with other interior finishes. Made from natural, renewable and recycled materials, Marmoleum is unique, as carbon dioxide emissions are absorbed by its raw materials. The combined photosynthesis of all plants used in Marmoleum achieves CO2 uptake that is greater than the CO2 emissions resulting from production and transportation.
Marmoleum relieves the environment of carbon dioxide, and it is climate-positive from cradle-to-gate, without offsetting. Marmoleum’s natural ingredients provide it with inherent anti-microbial and anti-static properties that won’t diminish over time, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. Marmoleum Solid’s Topshield Pro finish provides the best in durability, with lasting wear performance and improved stain-resistance, including those from hand disinfectants.
| |
|
By Sara Marberry — If I told you that workforce challenges is still the top issue confronting U.S. hospital CEOs, would you be surprised? Probably not. I wasn’t either when I read the results of the American College of Healthcare Executives’ 2023 survey of community hospital CEOs. Number two is financial challenges, followed by behavioral health/addiction issues. Patient health and safety and patient satisfaction were on down the list of 11 top issues identified.
Isn’t it interesting that many hospital leaders are now more concerned with staff satisfaction than patient satisfaction? That may be because they have made good strides in the past 10 years at improving patient satisfaction. Or because patients are always going to come to the hospital when they need care, but workers may not keep working at a hospital if they aren’t happy. And of course, there is the Covid factor.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont recently announced the approval of a 12-month pilot program launching at UConn Health’s Child Care Center building in Farmington that will involve the deploying of an innovative new technology developed by the Shelton-based company Budderfly to assist in helping the healthcare system and hospital achieve a net-zero carbon footprint and deliver a substantial energy cost savings. Under the pilot, the company will install, deploy, and manage its proprietary Ultra High Performance (UHP) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to demonstrate its ability to decarbonize and deliver energy savings for healthcare facilities, government agencies and other organizations.
Funded by Connecticut Innovations (CI) through its CI Innovations Lab, this pilot is the latest initiative and investment by the State of Connecticut as it aims to achieve a zero-carbon electric supply by 2040. CI, the state’s strategic venture capital arm and the leading source of financing and ongoing support for Connecticut’s innovative growing companies, will cover initial costs for equipment and installation. Budderfly is a CI portfolio company and backed by Partners Group.
Read more . . .
| |
|
The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE), a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association (AHA), has opened registration for the inaugural Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference, which will take place July 21-24, 2024, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. The Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference is an evolution of the ASHE Annual Conference & Technical Exhibition, which has been a premier conference for professionals in the healthcare facilities field for more than six decades. The conference’s new identity, which was announced in August 2023 at the 60th ASHE Annual Conference, reflects ASHE’s commitment to equipping its members to meet the opportunities and challenges presented by the rapidly changing health care field.
The event is geared toward an array of healthcare physical environmental professionals, including healthcare facilities managers (FMs), hospital and system executive leadership, construction managers, infection preventionists, safety professionals and technicians at all career stages.
Read more . . .
| |
|
The Good Plastic Company, an international manufacturer of sustainable surface materials, has announced its expansion into North America. Founded by Dr. William Chizhovsky in 2018 to address the scourge of plastic waste, the company is committed to helping brands make a tangible commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. The company’s flagship product Polygood offers 100% recycled and recyclable plastic panels for creating environmentally conscious furniture and design elements. The panels are made from post-consumer and post-industrial waste for a broad spectrum of applications.
The brand has successfully completed over 750 international projects showcasing solutions for furniture, surfacing and design elements. Its growing roster of more than 400 clients includes Nike, Adidas, IKEA, McDonald’s, Karl Lagerfeld, Jimmy Fairly, Coach, LUSH, Hyundai, Soho House, Samsung and BMW. With the belief that demand-driven change can rescue plastic from landfills, oceans and incinerators, The Good Plastic Company looks to continue the momentum as it enters the North America market.
Read more . . .
| |
|
By Doni Burton, business development manager for LiveRoof Global — 17 years ago, LiveRoof, LLC, developed the LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof System, touted as the only green roof solution installed with fully mature plants thriving in a healthy, connected ecosystem from day one of installation. LiveRoof projects often become signature elements on commercial, public, university, school and hospital buildings all over the US and Canada. As LiveRoof celebrates its 17th year, we are doing so with a year-long theme: Why do a Green Roof? Specifically, we will focus on the benefits of green roofs, and how they enhance our lives and the environment. Please enjoy this overview addition that focuses on the overarching benefits of green roofs!
Can I afford a green roof?
This is a compelling question. Green roofs typically cost more than traditional roofs to acquire, so why spend the extra money? There are at least 20 reasons to do a green roof, but let’s start with five strictly financial reasons, which will pay for the green roof (over and over).
Read more . . .
| |
|
Packaging and Crating Technologies (PACT) of Watertown, Connecticut, issued a reminder to consider fire safety on National Battery Day, February 18. PACT urges safe storage and transportation of lithium-ion batteries on a day that celebrates the invention that powers our lives. From our cell phones to the cars we drive, batteries are critical to keep us safe and connected, as well as meet decarbonization goals. The national observance is the birthday of Alessandro Volta, an Italian chemist and physicist born in 1745, credited with inventing the electric battery.
The global manufacturer of fire-suppressant products is spotlighting safety as the importance of batteries in every industry, including national security, continues to grow. PACT’s patented solutions to prevent thermal runaway range from PACT Thermo Shield, a lightweight, paper material, to its new On the Go Green Security for safe transportation of personal devices, to the PACT Lion-X fire extinguisher, a pre-mixed, proprietary formulation that quenches lithium-ion fires.
Read more . . .
| |
|
This week's Featured Book from FMLink's Books section is from the Architecture category.This collection of peer-reviewed books has been curated by the editorial team at FMLink to provide facilities, engineering and A&D professionals with access to publications relating to the Architecture topic. Building Type Basics for Healthcare Facilities is a one-stop source for the essential information architects need to fast-start the design process. In this book, leading healthcare architects from across the United States share their knowledge and expertise on all aspects of healthcare facility design.
Beginning with a wide-ranging, architect-oriented assessment of the healthcare industry's needs, Building Type Basics For Healthcare Facilities provides critical information that enables architects to initiate successful designs for inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care facilities.
This and other Architecture titles are now available for purchase on FMLink.
| | | | |
