It turns out that the good old phrase “go get some fresh air” may have more relevance today than ever before. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor environments have two to five times more pollutants than outdoor environments. In extreme cases, ind

We often think of a hospital as one of the safest places to be–but what about for hospital employees? Healthcare professionals face an increased risk of injury and illness every day while at work. Fortunately, OSHA (the Occupational Health and Safety Administration) recognized t

The newest Facility Guidelines Institute’s (FGI’s) Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities includes notable changes that have improved the standard of care in healthcare facilities. And while these updates will help improve patient health and safe

Patients’ health and safety is at the forefront of healthcare goals, but oftentimes risks for hospital-acquired infections are not addressed until construction on a facility has already started, or an infection has broken out. Infection control actually starts in the design of a

An Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) is an essential step in limiting the acquisition and transmission of infections in a healthcare environment. According to The Joint Commission, an ICRA needs to be conducted when significant changes in the environment, community or patient p

In today’s healthcare reality, there is improved sanitation and public health, greater access to preventative care and vaccinations, and increased life expectancy for patients. New technology and more intensive care units also mean that healthcare facilities are able to treat pa