AAHID Forums

Soffits above casework in Hospitals

2009-10-08T15:50:58-05:00

In the 15 or so years I have practiced Health Care Design, we have always put some sort of soffit whether gyp or p.lam over casework that could potential have an open top. In rare instances I have done sloped tops, but have never liked the look. From an aesthetic standpoint I have always preferred gyp with steel framing, and either a painted or Type II wall covering finish.

I currently have an architect who is stating that we don’t need to have any type of top on casework. Saying that it is housekeeping’s responsibility to keep the tops of the casework dusted/cleaned properly. Now we all know that isn’t realistic. The cleaning crews are sometimes not the most conscientious cleaners in the world, and if it’s hard to see, why bother? Right?

I would love to find some evidence in a published format that I could use to further substantiate my position about soffits above casework. Does anyone know where to find any?

Gel hand cleaner vs. actual hand washing.

2008-11-16T08:13:22-05:00

A question from the HCD08 Conference.

Does the panel believe that the gel hand cleaner is as good as actually washing hands? I ask because our caregivers from a major academic medical center maintain that the gel is just as good. I need ammunition to tell them that they are wrong.

Showers harbor bactoria dangerous to compromised individuals

2009-09-15T11:23:23-05:00

While daily bathroom showers provide invigorating relief and a good cleansing for millions of Americans, they also can deliver a face full of potentially pathogenic bacteria, according to a surprising new Univ. of Colorado at Boulder study.

The researchers used high-tech instruments and lab methods to analyze roughly 50 showerheads from nine cities in seven states that included New York City, Chicago and Denver. They concluded about 30% of the devices harbored significant levels of Mycobacterium avium, a pathogen linked to pulmonary disease that most often infects people with compromised immune systems, but which can occasionally infect healthy people, says Norman Pace, lead study author.

Click below for more information:
http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/News-showers-harbor-bacterial-infections-091509.aspx?xmlmenuid=51

Guidelines for Laundering Bedding in Healthcare Environments

2009-08-19T16:19:37-05:00

Hello Peter,

I have spent the past few days searching for a written guideline which states the minimum water temperature for laundering of bedding in healthcare environments. With years of experience in healthcare and senior living design, I have taken for granted that a healthcare recommended fabric would withstand laundering at 160 degree F. Within the last year, a well-known international fabric manufacturer presented new product recommended (verbally and online) for drapery and bedding applications in hospitality, healthcare, and marine environments. I specified one of the fabrics for bedding in a healthcare environment. The client has laundered the bedding and the fabric is not holding up. We sent two of the damaged pieces to the mfr for testing. The manufacturer responded that too high a heat was being applied to the FR polyester which was damaging the fibers. The fabric, again being recommended for healthcare use, has care instructions limiting it to dry clean or maximum of 30 degree C water temps, low heat drying, and no ironing. When I inquired why the fabric was recommended for healthcare use when it could not withstand a 160 degree F water temp, the manufacturer implied they had not heard that 160 degree F water temperature was required for healthcare laundering.

So far, after contacting via telephone JCAHO, TN Dept of Health, and two prominent fabric manufacturers, I have found no specific guidelines documenting a minimum water temperature for bedding laundering in healthcare environments.

Joint Commission, JCAHO, uses the 2001 AIA Guidelines for Design and Construction for Healthcare which states the laundry room water temps are to be set at 160 degree F.

The Centers for Disease Control, CDC, also list the hot water temps to be 160 degrees F at the end of the guidelines for healthcare environments.
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/laundry.htm

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, guideline for laundering are listed on page 21 of this website. This is the guidelines the state of Illinois references for healthcare communities.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R51SOMA.pdf
Page 31 of the Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008 also states an 80 degree C heat temperature for drying recommended for disinfection of cloths.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/guidelines/disinfection_nov_2008.pdf

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated in finding this information.
Thank you,

Hospital scrubs.

2008-11-16T08:18:13-05:00

A question from the HCD08 Conference.

Why are scrubs worn by staff on their way to work and at lunch?

Isn’t this a major source of transmission?

Does silver kill or prevent?

2008-11-16T08:39:48-05:00

A question from the HCD08 Conference.

Products using nano-silver coatings claim to reduce odors caused by bacteria and to protect the surface itself.

Do these silver coatings actually kill the bacteria that cause hospital infections? Do they prevent infections?

Is silver ion the most effective?

2008-11-14T18:06:08-05:00

A question from the HCD08 Conference.

Does Agion speaker being on the panel imply that silver ions are the most effective of antimicrobial agents?

If not, then why is he on the panel?

Where is Agion currently used?

2008-11-16T08:40:41-05:00

A question from the HCD08 Conference.

Where is Agion currently used in healthcare facilities?

Silver and the “blue man”

2008-11-16T08:42:21-05:00

A question from the HCD08 Conference.

Doesn’t long term silver exposure lead to “silver poisoning” - blue skin?

Nano-particles in the waste stream.

2008-11-16T08:44:41-05:00

A question from the HCD08 Conference.

The EPA has raised concerns about nano-particles entering the waste stream.

Please comment.