Medical Gas Compliance Blog

NFPA 99 Healthcare Facilities code provides performance criteria for healthcare facilities that follow a risk-based approach, where it is the risk posed to patients, staff or visitors, that defines safety guidelines. The main criteria of the Code's scope is to keep healthcare facilities up-to-code with its occupants safe.

As a leader in the control, management, and monitoring of medical gas systems, CHT is asked frequently, in regards to NFPA 99 Healthcare Facilities Code,

"What Applies to My Facility"? 

2019 is already flying by and we need to stay in touch with the latest regulations and technology to serve our hospitals and patients. That means attending some of the nation’s best recognized health care conferences and expos.

Healthcare providers have the responsibility to ensure medical gas and vacuum systems provide a safe and effective setup with a sufficient flow of gas or vacuum. The medical-surgical vacuum system consists of the vacuum central supply source system, the pipeline distribution network, and station inlets. 

According to the ASHE 2018 Hospital Security Survey, maintaining security has become 82% more challenging over the past two years. Because of that, 61% of hospitals plan on increasing hospital security budgets, and 91% of hospitals plan to implement aggressive behavior training.  

In this article, we discuss how to protect healthcare facilities by recognizing where the problems and potential issues exist. Implementing new security solutions can increase a facility's efficiency, improve performance and, most importantly, reduce violent behavior.

Let's take a look at some of the top security challenges plaguing healthcare facilities.

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a role in many industries, from banking and cybersecurity to product design and healthcare. Its uses are infinite and artificial intelligence will continue to advance through new technology and innovation.

The benefits of leveraging technology in healthcare have the power to impact both your facility and patients. Some implementations include diagnostic capabilities and predicting disease, customized treatment plans, enhanced electronic health records and more.

This guide has everything you need to know about artificial intelligence in healthcare. If you're looking for industry insights, barriers to AI adoption, or ways artificial intelligence will improve healthcare, you'll love this guide. 

Every facility manager faces different challenges.

Although we typically share similar goals, some facilities get stuck with high fixed expenditures, while others have trouble finding the most efficient HVAC system for their building's needs. Every facility manager experiences preventive maintenance that gets ignored and repairs that get put on hold. Deferred maintenance - waiting for future budget or funds to become available - can create costly consequences and increase the chances of significant problems down the road.

This article takes a look at the broad spectrum of costs associated with facilities. Below, we list the dangers of deferred maintenance and emphasize the importance of maintaining a maintenance program to avoid asset failure and, in some cases, health and safety implications. 

In the United States, medical devices are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Most medical devices are required to follow specific design control processes and comply with FDA 21 CFR part 820 Quality System Regulations.

As a leader in the control, management, and monitoring of medical gas systems, our commitment to the medical field encourages us to stay on top of design controls in medical devices, product development, and risk management.

Infection control and prevention is a global issue. Thought-out and proven strategies are a vital driver of successful infection control in healthcare facilities.

Evolving technologies help control the spread of disease and help minimize HAIs. There are tremendous benefits when a facility takes the necessary steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

As healthcare facility managers, our goal is to keep patients safe and be on the lookout for technology factors that will enhance facilities. We gathered the top 7 benefits of infection control technology for your environment and facility.

Healthcare demands will always be a growing concern. Designing an effective and caring healthcare facility is an intricate process; it needs to meet a full range of activities, from routine exams to life threatening emergencies.

As healthcare facility managers, our goal is to keep patients safe and in a welcoming environment that enhances quality and patient satisfaction. A healthcare design trend we continue to see requires creating spaces that reflect calmness and strive to ease the patient's journey.

Dr. Roger Ulrich, Ph.D. and colleagues found through their research that facility design can have a direct impact on patient and staff satisfaction, a patient’s stress experience, and organization performance metrics. [source: Ulrich R, Quan X, Zimring C, et al. The role of the physical environment in the hospital of the 21st century: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Report to The Center for Health Design, for the designing for the 21st century hospital project. 2004. Accessed at http://www.healthdesign.org ]

Healthcare facilities are not without risk when it comes to cyber attacks. Theft of medical records is so common, that by 2024 (if online theft keeps accelerating at the current pace),"everyone in the U.S. will have had their healthcare data compromised."

Threats will only continue to increase in volume and in sophistication. Securing healthcare data is a top priority. As a healthcare facility manager, knowing the ins and outs of healthcare cybersecurity will leave your facility less vulnerable to attacks.