ASHE News

Friday is the deadline to submit proposed conference sessions for the 2018 PDC Summit.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says hospitals must develop and adhere to policies and procedures that reduce the risk of legionella and other waterborne pathogens.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released interpretive guideline and survey procedures for the emergency preparedness rule that became effective in November 2016.

A webinar on Friday will cover the ways risk assessment requirements are applied to new and existing health care facilities under the 2012 edition of NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code.

Nearly 100 ASHE members attended important NFPA meetings last week to speak about and vote on important proposals being considered for the next editions of NFPA 101 and NFPA 99.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new Vital Signs report highlighting the risk to patients from exposure to Legionella bacteria in health care facilities, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

ASHE sent an advocacy alert last week notifying members of a proposal that would make survey reports from accrediting organizations available to the public.

The Joint Commission has issued clarifications related to four Life Safety Code® requirements.

Health care facility managers are often tasked with doing more with less. But without an understanding of finances, budgeting, and the language of business, facility managers may have a more difficult time meeting that goal.

Be sure to register for the ASHE 54th Annual Conference before 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, May 26 to save $150 on registration costs.

Russell Regional Hospital in Kansas started with small efficiency improvements and ended up earning an ENERGY STAR score of 100.

Proposed changes to NFPA 101 and NFPA 99 will be voted on during the NFPA Conference and Technical Meeting June 4-7 in Boston.

Full implementation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) emergency preparedness rule is expected in November.

ASHE is extending the deadline to apply for the 2017 Ilse B. Almanza Scholarships to May 9.

Changes to two major codes affecting health care–NFPA 101 and NFPA 99–will be discussed and voted on at the 2017 NFPA technical meeting in June.

NFPA 101A methodology provides alternative compliance solutions for health care facilities, which can save costs and time under certain conditions.

ASHE has created a new crosswalk that compares K-Tags with Joint Commission, NFPA, and International Code Council requirements. ASHE members can download this members-only document for free online.

The new Conditions of Participation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) include a requirement that has spurred questions.

ASHE has developed several resources to help facility professionals explain survey scoring changes to hospital leaders.

ASHE has been named a 2017 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for its efforts to help health care facilities become more energy efficient.

ASHE issued an advocacy alert to members this week on ways to explain recent scoring changes to health care executives.

ASHE's Health Facility Design Information Checklist monograph can help you gather data and answer fundamental questions associated with the architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, technology, and fire protection requirements of new health care construction and major renovation projects.

If your facility has reduce energy use, consider applying for an Energy to Care award to bring recognition to your organization's efforts.

A webinar on Tuesday, April 18 will cover new Joint Commission standards, including life safety and environment of care requirements.

The Joint Commission is placing added emphasis on the assessment of ligature, suicide, and self-harm observations.

A new ASHE monograph explains how to comply with ASHRAE Standard 188: Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems.

A performance improvement measure on the Sustainability Roadmap for Hospitals provides step-by-step instructions on how to implement battery recycling programs.

The prestigious Vista Awards were presented Monday.

Several sessions at this year's PDC Summit are focused on staying ahead of rapid changes to the health care planning, design and construction fields.

The annual Energy to Care awards recognize health care facility professionals who are saving valuable resources by making their facilities more energy efficient.

A new online program can help members prepare for the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) exam.

ASHE has developed a new resource list featuring resources, On Demand recordings, publications, and other tools related to CHC exam domains.

A new performance improvement measure on the Sustainability Roadmap for Hospitals provides step-by-step instructions.

ASHE encourages all NFPA members to attend the NFPA Conference and Technical Meeting in Boston to vote on proposals to important codes.

A new toolkit can help facility professionals benchmark energy use and implement low- and no-cost projects to help improve energy efficiency.

A new Energy to Care Success Story shows how Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center embarked on a sustainability journey that has led to efficiencies.

Using a multidisciplinary approach to design is important for creating healing spaces where both staff and patients can benefit.

ASHE is working with the Healthcare Infrastructure Research program in Washington, D.C., to identify and highlight innovations in our field.

A January 24 webinar will cover new and modified Joint Commission Elements of Performance.

The American Hospital Association’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative and ASHE will co-host a January 17 webinar on workplace violence prevention strategies and emergency response plans.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently issued two new survey and certification memos.

The digital edition of the latest Inside ASHE magazine is now available online.

A new ASHE monograph offers strategies for promoting the value of the facility department to C-suite leaders who may not always recognize the importance of the work done by facility professionals.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule to update Medicare fire safety guidelines for certain dialysis facilities.

An updated online education program covers the 2012 Life Safety Code® now required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The New York Institute of Technology has launched a new fully online certificate program that includes specialized courses for health care facility managers.

ASHE members preparing to take the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) exam may be interested in a new list showing useful resources for studying.

The Joint Commission is now surveying health care facilities on the 2012 edition of NFPA 101: Life Safety Code®.

New resources are available as part of ASHE’s Focus on Compliance project, which provides resources and tools to manage common Joint Commission findings.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital has won the 2016 Excellence in Health Care Facility Management Award for its enterprise-wide space and asset management system.

ASHE is hosting four free webinars for members next week to celebrate National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week.

The course covers electrical distribution systems, including essential electrical systems, as well as code compliance with the 2012 editions of NFPA 101, NFPA 99, and referenced codes.

A series of free webinars held during National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week will cover important regulatory topics.

ASHE has announced that its new executive director will be Patrick J. Andrus, MBA, CAE as its new executive director.

Two ASHE deadlines are quickly approaching–one for submitting applications for the prestigious Vista Awards and one for submitting proposals to speak at the 2017 ASHE Annual Conference.

ASHE has developed a new resource outlining the implications of the new emergency preparedness rules adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

A complementary webinar on September 21 will explore ways to improve the patient experience through the health care physical environment.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued new emergency preparedness requirements for health care facilities that will require emergency plans; policies and procedures; a communication plan; and training and testing.

ASHE is urging members to complete its 2016 Energy and Water Survey, which is critical for updating ENERGY STAR scores as well as quantifying trends in energy and water use.

The Joint Commission is asking hospitals to use a new fire drill matrix to track when fire drills.

Click here for the full story (Members only)

National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week is October 23-29. Recognition gifts for your staff are now available through the ASHE website.

ASHE has published new Focus on Compliance resources related to maintaining sprinklers (LS.02.01.35).

Consider applying for ASHE's prestigious Excellence in Health Care Facility Management award. It's free to apply, and winners receive an Annual Conference registration and invitation to ASHE's Leadership Institute in addition to the award.

The 2016 ASHE elections are now open. Cast your online vote for President-Elect, an Associate Member Director, and board members for Regions 1, 2, 4, 5, and 9. Vote between now and 11:59 p.m. CT on Thursday, September 1.

An ASHE webinar on August 10 will explain new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for renovation projects in health care facilities.

At the ASHE Annual Conference last week in Denver, a representative from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) confirmed that the agency is currently working on emergency management requirements for hospitals.

ASHE recognized 2016 award winners at the Annual Conference.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston has been named the 2016 Energy Champion for demonstrating strong leadership in becoming a more energy efficient facility and using saved resources to support patient care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has asked the Joint Commission to make several changes to its Statement of Conditions process.

Nearly 4,000 people are attending the 53^rd ASHE Annual Conference in Denver this week.

Watch the video recording from AHA President Rick Pollack

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made a correction to its new Conditions of Participation.

ASHE has created a new video outlining the recent regulatory changes made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Many hospitals and health systems are currently working on 2017 budgets. Be sure to reserve funds to attend the critical NFPA meeting in June 2017, when votes will be cast on changes to important codes such as NFPA 101 and NFPA 99.