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Issue 49, December 30, 2010

• How much is that doggy in the hospital?

  A new member of security was added last summer to Lawrence & Memorial (L&M) Hospital, New...

• Hospital disallows photos and videos during birth

  A hospital in Hagerstown, MD, banned filming and photography during childbirth to protect the...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Survey 2011--will we have to juggle more?

  I probably spend too much time thinking about such things, but as I was pondering the expanding...

• Tip of the Week: Joint Commission spends five days at Midwest health system

  A power outage hit a Midwest Health System during a five-day visit from The Joint Commission and...

Issue 48, December 23, 2010

• Do you feel safe in your healthcare facility?

  The September shooting at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore left some healthcare workers...

• Patient injury has Nova Scotia hospital altering its security

  An elderly woman who suffered injuries by being moved in her bed is prompting new training of in...

• Mac's Safety Space: Medical completion non-life safety completion

  Steve MacArthur, safety consultant at The Greeley Company, answers a question regarding medical...

• Tip of the Week: Include HIPAA privacy officers in your emergency planning

  During an emergency, hospitals don’t want to have to ensure that its complying with both...

Issue 47, December 16, 2010

• Efforts underway to improve security in California hospitals

  The death of two healthcare workers has prompted hospitals to increase safety and security in...

• UAE hospital security catches baby snatchers

  Here’s an interesting story out of the United Arab Emirates. Two Saudi reporters wanted to...

• Mac's Safety Space: Temptation eyes..

  Here I am back with yet another question for you to ponder, but first, think on this for a moment:

• Tip of the Week: Handling an unruly patient

  When handling an unruly patient, there are ways security officers can ensure safety and prevention...

Issue 46, December 9, 2010

• Hospital gives after hours visitors access to only one entrance

  With hopes to improve hospital security, Cookeville (TN) Regional Medical Center only allows after...

• Patient rape leads hospital to conduct security review

  At University Hospital’s psychiatric ward in Cincinnati on Saturday, November 27, a patient...

• Mac's Safety Space: Something wicked this way comes?

  Okay, maybe not really wicked, but what’s the point of blogging if one doesn’t...

• Tip of the Week: Corridor Clutter

  A common problem some hospitals face is corridor clutter; a nurse bangs into a filing cabinet by...

Issue 45, December 2, 2010

• Napa State Hospital security under scrutiny again

  A new question regarding security is arising in the October 23 murder of a Napa State Hospital...

• North Carolina hospital hires police unit to reduce violence

  Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, NC, is replacing its current security department with a police...

• Mac's Safety Space: Sentinel Event Alert #46 - Managing Suicide Risk in 'Other' Environments

  Although Sentinel Event Alert #46 does seem to focus mostly on the clinical aspect of managing this...

• Tip of the Week: How to handle psych and forensic patients

  Hospital security is especially important when handling inmates who could pose a threat. Safety...

Issue 44, November 18, 2010

• Seattle hospital fined for lack of security planning

  Feeling safe in a hospital is something both patients and staff want during their stay. But in...

• Man posing as doctor gains access to patients' room

  A man pretending to be a doctor fondled three female patients at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE.

• Mac's Safety Space: ’Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe..

  Oh wait, wrong poem - let's try this again: "The time has come," the Walrus said...

• Tip of the Week: Hospital safety drill goes too far

  Hospital drills are a great way to educate staff in an instance where a real-life dangerous...

• Thanksgiving Holiday

  Hospital Safety Center will not publish next week because of the Thanksgiving holiday. The next...

Issue 43, November 11, 2010

• Hospital shooting prompts safety concerns for Florida hospitals

  On November 4, a man walked into the cafeteria of Palm Bay (FL) Hospital and shot himself to death.

• Mac's Safety Space: If you listen very carefully you can hear them sliding

  One of the things I've been running into a fair amount lately as I travel the highways and byways...

• California hospitals at risk for earthquake safety

  An investigation done by California Watch found that California has been offering little...

• Tip of the Week: Hospital evacuation drills

  Performing evacuation drills in hospitals can be a vital safety measure for staff and patients. The...

• Mac's Safety Space: ’tis the season...

  Each week, safety consultant Steve MacArthur touches upon issues pertaining to safety in the...

• Fire code violations cause psych unit to shut down

  Failure to meet fire code standards caused the closure of the psychiatric unit in The University of...

• Tip of the Week: Preparing a healthcare facility for a natural disaster

  Natural disasters happen. Healthcare facilities should have a mutual understanding when it comes to...

Issue 42, October 28, 2010

• Hospital fined by OSHA for safety violations

  Oregon State Hospital in Salem, OR, was fined by OSHA after failing to give staff members...

• Hospital security questioned after influx of intoxicated patients

  Intoxicated patients are causing hospital staff to second guess security measures at Mount Nittany...

• Mac's Safety Space: Managing medical equipment in outpatient mini-clinics

  Our hospital operates a number of outpatient mini-clinics in places like grocery stores and...

• Tip of the Week: Limitations in installing a 112 kVA transformer in soiled utility room

  Each month, Brad Keyes, CHSP, life safety consultant at The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Security concerns raised at California mental hospital after a nurse was allegedly murdered

  Napa (CA) State Hospital workers are worried about the hospital’s security policies after a...

Issue 41, October 21, 2010

• Nurse's stolen camera prompts worry with newborn babies

  A nurse’s digital camera containing photos and personal information of newborn babies was...

• Is it all? Or is it each?

  A not uncommon Joint Commission finding (EC.02.03.05 is still in the top five most-cited standards...

• Elevator recall testing

  Each month, Brad Keyes, CHSP, life safety consultant at The Greeley Company, a division of HCPro...

• Violence in the ED webcast

  Violence in healthcare settings is increasing, and because of that, HCPro is offering Violence in...

Issue 40, October 14, 2010

• Protecting ED staff members from violence

  In an atmosphere shrouded in uncertainty, there is one indisputable fact regarding hospital...

• Violence in the ED webcast

  Violence in healthcare settings is increasing, and because of that, HCPro is offering Violence in...

• Humidity in the OR

  Q: I have a question regarding operating room (OR) humidity. If OR humidity drops below the...

• OSHA inspections and small medical practices

  Just because you have a small practice doesn’t mean OSHA inspectors won’t come calling...

Issue 39, October 7, 2010

• New kid on the top five list: LS.02.01.30

  There was one new safety standard on the latest Joint Commission list of the five most problematic...

• Next week is Healthcare Security and Safety Week!

  October 10th-16th, 2010 is Healthcare Security and Safety Week.

• Determining the need for a quality report on clinical alarms

  Years ago, there was a NPSG that related to clinical alarm audibility on the units and ensuring...

• Choosing a good OSHA safety training course

  Q: I work in a hospital and want to assure I am covering all the OSHA requirements for safety. Can...

Issue 38, September 30, 2010

• BLS analyzes safety data in healthcare

  Researchers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Office of Safety, Health, and Working...

• Don't shoot the care provider; make hospitals safe for workers

  Following a wealth of discussion on the John Hopkins Hospital shooting that took place a few weeks...

• Violence in the ED: Proven Strategies to Keep your Facility Safe

  Protect your staff and patients from violence in the emergency department. Violence in...

• Choosing an OSHA-compliant disinfectant

  Q: What disinfectant does OSHA recommend for protection from bloodborne pathogens?

Issue 37, September 23, 2010

• Mac's Safety Space: A balancing act - no nets, no problem!

  I’m sure you’ve all been discussing the shooting that happened last week at Johns...

• Investigation on chemicals in healthcare leads to legislation

  The dangers of chemicals in medical products has been a longstanding issue with patient and safety...

• Joint Commission extends Life Safety Code surveyors' length of stay

  At the recent Joint Commission Executive Briefings Session held in New York, an announcement was...

• How long to retain old MSDSS

  Q: How long do you have to keep MSDS files for products no longer used in the health center?

Issue 36, September 16, 2010

• Healthcare safety officers: Give us your feedback!

  As a healthcare safety officer, your feedback is an essential ingredient in making our safety books...

• State department investigates hospital after worker complaints

  After an employee at The Acadia Hospital in Bangor, ME filed a complaint to OSHA at the end of...

• EMT dies from carbon monoxide exposure

  Last month one emergency medical technician (EMT) and two coworkers were hospitalized last month...

• Escalating drills will meet EM standards

  Joint Commission standard EM 03.01.03 requires that healthcare facility conduct two drills to test...

• Incorporate children in EM plans

  When you plan for how your hospital will handle emergencies, don’t forget to think about how...

Issue 35, September 9, 2010

• Emergency exercises that will ensure compliance

  There’s a good reason why The Joint Commission expects hospitals to regularly conduct...

• Violence in psychiatric ward highlight security needs

  It’s a well known fact that the dangers of a psychiatric ward dramatically increase, both for...

• Can door be propped open with a wedge?

  Unfortunately the answer to this question is “it depends,” writes Steve MacArthur...

Issue 34, September 2, 2010

• Tie EC and IC together to create a safe environment

  Joint Commission compliance and survey success depend on effective management of the care...

• SWAT team training prepares hospital staff

  Staff members at Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, PA took part in an eye-opening training...

• Mac's Safety Space: Do surveyors look for and MSDS for Wite-Out?

  The short answer is no, but in at least one case a surveyor has said and MSDS is required for Wite...

• Tip of the week: Classify your flammable and combustible liquids

  Looking for some quick and easy guidelines to classify your flammable and combustible liquids in...

• Make sure you fit test annually

  Under the Respiratory Protection Standard, OSHA requires employers to fit test employees annually...

Issue 33, August 26, 2010

• "Code pink" tests hospitals response

  Last week a “code pink” call rang out throughout San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in...

• "Means of egress" among many hospital safety standards atop Joint Commission non-compliance list

  Last week The Joint Commission released the top five Joint Commission requirements most frequently...

• Mac’s Safety Space: What is considered life safety sustaining equipment?

  Determining what is and isn’t considered life support equipment can be a difficult and often...

• Tip of the week: Cola and chemicals don't mix

  A case study on OSHA Healthcare Advisor reviews the dangers of not designating a separate chemical...

Issue 32, August 19, 2010

• OSHA seeks input on chemical safety

  Since OSHA was first established in 1970, many of the adopted permissible exposure limits (PELs...

• California hospitals given extension to meet seismic standards

  California hospitals are notoriously at risk for an earthquake disaster that could put the safety...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Keep an eye on computerized work records

  Computerized work records can be a great way to organize work orders in your hospital, especially...

• Tip of the week: Consider these eight issues for disaster management

  When it comes to the recovery of systems at your hospital after a disaster, there are eight key...

Issue 31, August 12, 2010

• Virginia Mason reports on five years of mandatory flu shots

  Widely known as the first healthcare facility to implement a mandatory influenza vaccine policy...

• Nurses fear for their safety as ED violence escalates

  An article published by the Associated Press (AP) indicates that violence against nurses and other...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Electrical receptacle considerations

  Q: Is it feasible to place a small device that is plugged into an electrical receptacle on a metal...

• Tip of the week: Emergency evacuation procedures should be consistent

  Every hospital has their own policies and procedures for evacuating their facility, and usually...

Issue 30, August 5, 2010

• Prepare for a CMS survey

  Your hospital just completed its Joint Commission survey and now you have another team of surveyors...

• Technology aids in fire safety training

  Spartanburg (SC) Regional Medical Center has begun using technology to teach healthcare workers the...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Surveying acquired clinics

  What are the requirements for initiating safety surveys on acquired clinics in your hospital system?

• Tip of the week: Love the glove to prevent needlestick exposures

  You’ve “gotta” love the glove if you are at risk to needlestick exposures...

Issue 29, July 29, 2010

• Chemo may be having toxic affects on healthcare workers

  A recent investigation by InvestigateWest has found that although OSHA does not regulate exposure...

• CDC announces changes regarding H1N1 vaccination protocols

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that this year, a single flu vaccine...

• Mac’s Safety Space: The nuances of isolation rooms

  The air pressure in isolation rooms depends on what you are trying to do. Negative pressure is used...

• Tip of the week: MSDSs and employee training for chemical hazards

  Chemicals are a fact of life in the 21st century. Medical settings abound with chemicals for...

Issue 28, July 22, 2010

• Hospital cited for workplace violence

  An inspection prompted by an employee complaint led OSHA to cite Danbury (CT) Hospital for...

• Stun gun use in hospitals debated

  The debate surrounding use of stun guns on patients has been re-opened after a security guard at a...

• Mac's Safety Space: Use tamper-resistant receptacles

  The 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code requires temper resistant receptacles in new and...

• Tip of the week: Know why visitors enter your facility

   Controlling how visitors enter your healthcare facility may be one of the easier components...

Issue 28, July 15, 2010

• How to comply with three problematic standards

  If your hospital isn’t staying on top of fire safety issues, you could be in trouble during...

• Joint Commission focuses on safe injection practices

  During on-site surveys of all types of facilities, Joint Commission surveyors will observe...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Testing fire pumps under emergency power

  Although The Joint Commission rarely – if ever – asks to see fire pumps tested under...

• Tip of the week: Appointing a laboratory safety officer

  It may be advisable to hire a laboratory safety officer. This person will function as the primary...

• Safety Professionals: Give us your feedback

  HCPro would like your feedback regarding future educational opportunities, particularly your...

Issue 27, July 8, 2010

• Clarifying mis-scored life safety citations can give your survey a second chance

  Clarifying mis-scored life safety citations can give your survey a second chance In most cases, a...

• Vegas hospital may be fined over terrorist drill

  Staff members at St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus, in Las Vegas received quite the scare...

• Mac's Safety Space: Review your fire emergency plans

  You may have regular fire drills, but are they practical? Make sure your drills include evacuations...

• Tip of the week: Pharmaceutical waste

  There is an increasing amount of evidence that the disposal of pharmaceutical waste has an impact...

Issue 26, July 1, 2010

• AHRQ releases resources for hospital evacuation decisions

  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released two resources to help safety...

• HCPro offers Safety Symposium on-demand

  For those of you that couldn’t make it out to Las Vegas last month for the Fourth Annual...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Inspecting vendor facilities

  For many years, those who were in charge of environmental services routinely inspected the...

• Tip of the week: Use your badge system effectively

  If your hospital hands out ID badges after hours for security purposes, make sure staff from the...

Issue 25, June 24, 2010

• CDC releases rough draft of updated influenza guidelines for public comment

  After announcing a review of the 2009 interim flu guidelines, the CDC has released a rough draft of...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Are fish tanks a risk?

  It’s not uncommon to see many hospitals and clinics with fish tanks in the waiting room, but...

• Tip of the week: Create an ED buffer zone during an emergency

  Pedestrian access control requires planning. Many hospitals are built to be "community...

Issue 24, June 17, 2010

• Surveyor questions focus on six critical areas of EM

  Expect a lot of surveyor questions when it comes to your emergency management (EM) program, says...

• CA hospital admits possible infection from reused items

  Palomar Hospital in San Diego, CA, sent letters to 3,400 patients that may have been infected...

• Boston hospital CEO posts video of NICU evacuation drill

  Paul Levy, well-known president and CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, posted a...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Avoid violence in your facility

  Many facilities read about violence in other emergency departments and some may think: “That...

• Tip of the week: Catch up on hospital safety presentations from your desk

  For those of you that couldn’t make it out to Las Vegas last month for the Fourth Annual...

Issue 23, June 10, 2010

• Suspicious woman at MPMC later attempts kidnapping

  There are plenty of locations hospital security personnel have to worry about in their hospital and...

• Joint Commission releases alert on healthcare violence

  The Joint Commission has released a Sentinel Event Alert warning healthcare providers about the...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Using elevators as a means of egress

  A new guest blogger, Greeley senior consultant Brad Keyes CHSP, makes an appearance on Mac’s...

• Tip of the week: Survey prep should focus on documentation

  There are several steps hospital emergency management coordinators can take to prepare for a...

Issue 22, June 3, 2010

• California hospital hit with major fine for violating the ATD standard

  California hospital hit with major fine for violating the ATD standard A California hospital was...

• Despite suspicious powder, Texas hospital remains open

  An envelope with no return address and nothing but white powder inside was found in the mail of...

• Mac's Safety Space: The Joint Commission's stance on fans

  It’s that time of year when many hospitals will bring out their fans to place in particularly...

• Tip of the week: Don't forget about recovery post-disaster

  Hospitals spend a lot of time identifying risks and preparing so they’re ready to respond...

• Call for submissions: Have a great policy?

  Take this opportunity to share your expertise and be recognized by your peers in the...

Issue 21, May 27, 2010

• Joint Commission removes Measure of Success for some standards

  The Joint Commission has followed up its announcement regarding deletion of Measures of Success...

• Annual security assessments become California law: Noncompliance becomes a crime

  California, often the frontrunner in compliance standards, may be leading the pack when it comes to...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Even sharps containers depend on your risk assessment

  Although there is no regulatory statute that prohibits “open” floor model sharps...

• Tip of the week: Ensuring an effective surveillance program

  Surveillance programs are an essential function of the safety committee. Although random...

• Call for submissions: Have a great infection control policy, checklist, or tool?

  Take this opportunity to share your expertise and be recognized by your peers in the...

Issue 20, May 20, 2010

• Tufts Medical Center signs agreement with OSHA to pay $5,000 after failure to track nurse injuries

  Tufts Medical Center will pay $5,000 in fines after an OSHA investigation found the medical center...

• Joint Commission: Chemo carts can remain outside patient rooms in some cases

  If you use chemotherapy carts in your facility, you may find a new Joint Commission opinion to your...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Proper air quality requirements during construction

  Construction projects are often difficult to manage because of the number or risks involved, most...

• Tip of the week: Testing the effectiveness of your safety education program

  Providing safety education is only half the job. The other half is to make sure that people...

Issue 19, May 13, 2010

• Healthcare reform items for safety committees to review

  As the initial waves of the newly passed healthcare reform law begin to ripple out, safety...

• Time to weigh in on infectious diseases standard: OSHA wants to know

  For all who hold strong opinions on whether or not OSHA should pursue developing an infectious...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Using 'cheat sheets' during fire situations

  Giving staff members “cheat sheets” during surveyor inspections can be useful in...

• Tip of the week: Separate healthcare and business occupancy

  In your hospital, it is always useful to separate your healthcare occupancy from your business...

Issue 18, May 6, 2010

• Preventing surgical fires, not just in the OR

  Surgical fires aren’t limited to operating rooms and can also occur wherever invasive...

• Attempted infant abduction stirs hospital

  Duke University Hospital staff members stopped a woman who tried to take a newborn from her...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Exploring the nuances of electronic MSDS forms

  Many healthcare facilities have switched to an electronic material safety data sheet (MSDS) system...

• Tip of the week: Use a risk assessment when situations aren’t covered by rule, regulation, or standard

  Your organization might discover potential environmental health and safety issues not covered by...

Issue 17, April 28, 2010

• OSHA indicates more activity coming for infectious disease protection

  OSHA isn’t focusing on just aerosol transmissible disease for new regulations; instead it is...

• You can remotely attend next week’s Hospital Safety Center Symposium

  A week from the today, the 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium begins in Las Vegas. You can...

• Mac’s Safety Space: It’s not just reporting EC improvements, but tracking whether they truly made things better

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Put water fountains on your Legionella radar and use our free checklist

  Even decorative water fountains can be a risk with Legionella, as Aurora St. Luke’s South...

Issue 16, April 20, 2010

• Knoxville hospital and authorities search for clues behind a deadly shooting

  As of earlier this week, police had yet to uncover a motive in a deadly shooting at a hospital in...

• Save travel costs by attending the Hospital Safety Center Symposium from your facility

  The 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium is just two weeks away, and if you won’t be...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Be wary of pitfalls related to electrical outlet protection for children

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Steris SS1 customers should note new rebate program

  As we first mentioned on our Hospital Safety Twitter account earlier this week, Steris Corp. of...

Issue 15, April 14, 2010

• CA says low humidity raised the risk of surgical fires, leading to $100K fine

  California health officials this week punished hospitals that have allegedly run afoul of...

• Symposium spotlight: Process improvement expert will guide you through adverse event analysis

  It is just three short weeks until the 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium, and one of the...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Blanket warmers and other tales of the temperature wars + a free tool

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Verify your fume hoods direct air outside

  Under EC.02.05.01, The Joint Commission requires facilities to have a method of checking...

Issue 14, April 7, 2010

• New Steris System 1 alternative approved by the FDA

  The FDA has approved a new alternative system to the Steris System 1 (SS1) processor, which came...

• New state-of-the-art, updated compliance guide for EC, emergency management, and life safety standards

  We’re excited to announce that HCPro has just published its newest compliance guide, Physical...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Risk assessment targets that you should aim at

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Consider these questions about prisoner patient policies

  Your prisoner patient policies may come under Joint Commission scrutiny, so think about the...

Issue 13, March 31, 2010

• Another medical chopper crash claims three lives; FAA advisory posted for all readers

  Three flight crew members died last week when their medical helicopter crashed in Brownsville, TN...

• Symposium spotlight: Life Safety Code pointers straight from a state authority

  Life Safety Code® compliance for healthcare facilities figures prominently into the 4th Annual...

• Mac’s Safety Space: EM.02.02.07 offers good framework of staff concerns during disaster responses

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the month: Consider female attackers in your terrorism plans

  Two female suicide bombers detonated themselves inside Moscow subway stations earlier this week...

Issue 12, March 24, 2010

• Window washer’s death leads to state OSHA fines against a hospital

  A hospital and a window washing company were both fined by Minnesota’s OSHA agency stemming...

• Symposium spotlight: Steve MacArthur will explore the connections between EC and infection control

  We’re only six weeks away from the 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium, and one of...

• Mac’s Safety Space: It’s okay if you don't have perfect environment of care processes

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Check out new EPA rule on ethylene oxide sterilizers

  The Environmental Protection Agency has established a new rule regarding ethylene oxide...

Issue 11, March 17, 2010

• Consider these options for corpse storage during emergency response

  Joint Commission emergency management standard EM.02.02.11, element of performance 7, requires...

• Symposium spotlight: Fredrick Roll will tell you how to better prepare for violence in the ED

  The emergency department (ED) acts as funnel into the rest of your hospital, making it a danger...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Look beyond The Joint Commission for rules on who inspects imaging items

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Who’s tracking the quantity of your compressed gas?

  It’s an easy problem for a surveyor to find: Excessive amounts of nonflammable compressed gas...

Issue 10, March 10, 2010

• Joint Commission outlines expectations about staff gown use with contact precaution patients

  A new online FAQ posted by The Joint Commission leaves it in the hands of hospitals to best...

• Symposium spotlight: Brad Keyes will teach you how to better apply ILSMs

  We’re less than two months away from the 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium May 6-7...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Despite bigger influences, Joint Commission wants emergency prep to stem from staff’s abilities

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Strive for adequate NIMS training -- and download a free checklist

  Here are some thoughts when it comes to training workers on the federal National Incident...

Issue 9, March 3, 2010

• Nurse injured by patient in alleged shooting

  In trying to protect others, a nurse jumped in front of a patient with a gun and was allegedly shot...

• FDA warns that certain StatSpin centrifuges could threaten healthcare workers

  The FDA has alerted hospitals that a specific model of StatSpin centrifuges has an alleged defect...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Embrace the ebb and flow of emergency management planning

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

Issue 8, February 24, 2010

• Bomb scare at a hospital after suspect is denied methadone

  Police in Terre Haute, IN, continue to search for a man who allegedly made a bomb threat to a...

• Attention vendors: Do you want to exhibit at the Hospital Safety Center Symposium?

  The 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium is coming May 6-7, and we want to alert companies...

• Free tool: Sample fire barrier work permit

  Those of you who deal with unsealed penetrations in rated fire walls and floors can check out a new...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Judge the need to lock up cleaning products with common sense

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Feds release tool to select alternate care facilities

  The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently released a report on selecting...

Issue 7, February 17, 2010

• Visitation policies reviewed after NC hospital shooting

  An altercation at a nightclub led to an alleged shooting at a nearby hospital’s emergency...

• Symposium spotlight: Joseph Cappiello will unravel disaster recovery strategies

  As we count down to the 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium May 6-7, we want to highlight...

• Simplify community planning with HSEEP guidelines

  Whether it’s a biological attack, a natural disaster, or the large snowstorms currently...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Stick to required policies in your physical environment program

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Be wary of saying you're "mercury free"

  Tread carefully with your policies about products containing mercury. If your policy states your...

Issue 6, February 10, 2010

• Free white paper details Joint Commission citations

  The Hospital Safety Center has just posted a free special report called, “2010 Joint...

• Power plant explosion showcases CT hospital's emergency planning

  Sunday’s explosion of a power plant in Middletown, CT, is something safety committees should...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Be cautious about handcuff use, because CMS rules are clear

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Combustible materials in gift shops may trigger extra protection

  Gift shops are often overlooked as hazardous areas in healthcare occupancies, and because of that...

Issue 5, February 3, 2010

• The FDA changes a deadline, says hospitals have 18 months to replace SS1

  After further consideration, the Food and Drug Administration has extended the deadline to 18...

• New this year: Attend the Hospital Safety Center Symposium virtually and save travel costs

  For the first time, you and your colleagues will be able to attend the 4th Annual Hospital Safety...

• Mac’s Safety Space: EC surveillance rounds keep you ahead of "C" scored provisions

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Remember to post your OSHA Form 300A

  If you're covered by federal OSHA regulations, here's a reminder that you should have posted your...

Issue 4, January 27, 2010

• Learn important EC and life safety interpretations at next week's audio conference

  Next Wednesday, February 3, join safety experts Steve MacArthur and Brad Keyes, CHSP, both from The...

• Katrina patient death case is settled before jurors can debate emergency planning aspect

  Fallout will likely be minimal for hospitals from a court case stemming from Hurricane Katrina...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Absent regulations, it’s up to hospitals to determine trash compactor safeguards

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Consider using these MRI safety steps

  In light of a heavy fine in California, safety committees may want to verify that only appropriate...

Issue 3, January 20, 2010

• Study explores drive-through checkups during a pandemic

  Researchers from Stanford (CA) University School of Medicine have released a report that explores...

• Mac’s Safety Space: Eyewash stations hinge on chemical use as opposed to a wholesale requirement

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Disaster plans should anticipate community members’ needs

  During a Christmas Eve blizzard, Norman (OK) Regional Hospital discovered reasons why emergency...

Issue 2, January 13, 2010

• Upcoming audio conference to explore important Joint Commission interpretations

  Given the rise in physical environment citations by surveyors, 2010 will be a critical year to...

• Widespread water main breaks test a MS hospital

  At least one hospital in Jackson, MS, was forced to institute emergency water plans after freezing...

• Mac’s Safety Space: OSHA doesn’t mandate, but certainly suggests, steps to prevent violence against staff members

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Follow this emergency generator-themed court case

  Anyone involved with emergency planning or generators in hospitals will want to keep an eye on...

Issue 1, January 6, 2010

• Make early plans to attend the 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium

  Attendees to the upcoming 4th Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium will take away the latest...

• California recalls certain N95 respirators issued from a state stockpile

  In what could be an interesting development if it plays out across the country, California’s...

• Mac’s Safety Space: What’s your flu season story?

  Join Steve MacArthur, safety consultant for The Greeley Company, as he offers advice and best...

• Tip of the week: Steps to consider during a recall under EC.02.01.01

  The Food and Drug Administration’s recent alert about Steris System 1 reprocessors offers a...

Issue 9, March 3, 2010

• Tip of the week: Consider peak capacity of electric-driven fire pumps

  If your hospital doesn’t already test electric-driven fires pumps at peak capacity under...

Issue 3, January 20, 2010

• Promote widespread discussion about blunt-tip sutures

  A new study examining needlestick injuries and physician attitudes toward blunt-tip sutures...