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Certain design materials and furnishings selected for healthcare environments can affect indoor air quality. Many can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or respirable particles into the air and some can harbor microbiologicals, potentially creating unhealthy environments for patients, staff, and medical personnel. Research has shown that a patient's health may be compromised by certain environmental factors. Architects, designers, and healthcare personnel are faced with making key decisions on the selection and use of materials which can contribute to high quality indoor environmental quality. This presentation will address the basics of selecting the right materials including identifying priority materials; how to select and specify low, emitting, non-toxic materials; and how to navigate through the various labeling programs and "green claims" for success. One case study of a NICU area will demonstrate how good IAQ was achieved.

Open to Conference Attendees Only!

Connectivity for devices and persons within the clinical environment is mandatory, and wireless has become the connectivity of choice. Meaningful Use of the EMR means that data from traditionally standalone devices and systems can be delivered, without paper or manual data entry, to the hospital's data management systems and ultimately to the EMR. As well, this connectivity allows new levels of interaction to monitor location, current state of use, provide two-way voice communications, and to allow potentially connection with other hospital infrastructure systems like HVAC, security, occupancy, security, fire and safety. Wireless technologies commonly encountered include Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, cellular 2/3/4G, ultrawideband, MICS, WMTS and plenty of proprietary methods. This session will detail challenges and successes of mixing wireless technologies with practical use cases and theoretical analysis.

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The antimicrobial property of copper has been used for centuries but has never been fully quantified. This has changed in recent years with work coordinated by the Copper Development Association (US). Solid, copper-based metals have been shown to kill or inhibit a host of human pathogens that cause disease including: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Influenza A, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE), and Clostridium difficile. Copper alloys are the only solid materials that have public health registration with U.S. EPA to kill bacteria that cause infection. Conclusive laboratory and clinical data present a strong case for using copper alloy surfaces in healthcare settings to reduce the inherent microbial burden on frequently contacted objects. Reducing contamination on healthcare surfaces could potentially lower the incidence of healthcare-associated infections. Copper alloys can be incorporated into a range of aesthetically pleasing forms and designs.

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Lighting accounts for 25% of energy usage in commercial buildings in the United States, and it is a major target for energy reduction. LED technology, while not new, has advanced tremendously in the past decade to the point where it may be considered a viable replacement to fluorescent fixtures. The presentation will provide an overview of LED technology and fixtures currently on the market, as well as comparisons of energy, maintenance, and life cycle costs, space savings, quality of light, and environmental impacts. The benefits of LED light spectrum and color, and its use for regulation of the natural process of the body, will be analyzed and compared to fluorescent fixtures. Specific advantages and disadvantages emerge when looking at utilizing the technology in a variety of facilities.

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The proper usage of Feng Shui for the success of the healthcare facility, combined with the well being of the patient, is absolutely critical. Just as the energy in our bodies flows to promote healing, so does the energy flow in all facilities and environments. Proper flow of "chi", or energy, in any space can impact the success of the facility and the outcome and speed of recovery of every patient. This is not only true for healthcare facilities, but extends to the condition of the patient's home environment as well. During this presentation we will discuss the impact of energy throughout the facility, how to minimize negative energy flow, increase positive energy flow, and how to increase overall well being in each patient. Topics of discussion for the success of each facility and patient satisfaction will include: the best facility configuration, room configurations, bed placement, color selection and element usage.

Open to Conference Attendees Only!

Despite current efforts of infection prevention, the prevalence of healthcare associated infections (HAI) is a growing threat to patients & healthcare staff. The role of the inanimate environment has long been recognized as a factor for transmission of infections, although secondary to the adherence of hand hygiene and isolation practice. This presentation will focus on new research that investigates the role of maintenance to support HAI prevention plans. The multi-method study compares cleaning & disinfecting of carpet tiles and resilient flooring. Data collected from “high touch” surfaces, air samples, and patient & staff HAI rates are compared. Perceptions and preferences of patients and staff will also be presented. In conclusion, facility management and design issues that address the relationship between flooring selection, the inanimate environment, maintenance, and hospital acquired illness for the prevention of HAIs will be discussed.

Open to Conference Attendees Only!

Healthcare facilities have evolved into complex mazes. They are intimidating to the average user with complex medical jargon, multiple designations and ever moving departments and construction. Unfortunately wayfinding has become synonymous with signs and that is just the beginning. This program will present useful tips and tangible benchmarks from a new book being published (June 2010 release date) by AHA Press, by the author.