Most U.S. Hospitals Going Smoke-Free
from Occupational Health & Safety
By the end of this year, more than 50 percent of the approximately 5,000 U.S. hospitals will have a smoke-free campus, according to a Joint Commission study titled "The Adoption of Smoke-Free Hospital Campuses in the United States" that was published in the online issue of Tobacco Control, a British Medical Journal Group publication. The Joint Commission posted the news Aug. 20. More

Most Americans Haven't Increased Handwashing Despite H1N1 Flu Threat
from Infection Control Today
Worries about the H1N1 influenza virus haven't changed most Americans' handwashing habits, says a national survey by Bradley Corporation, a manufacturer of commercial bathroom and locker room furnishings. In Bradley's first Healthy Hand Washing Survey, 54 percent said they "wash their hands no more or less frequently" in public restrooms since the H1N1 influenza virus emerged. More

Last Day to Receive Hotel Discount for ASHES Conference
from ASHES
Today is the last day to receive the discounted rate at Grand Sierra Resort, the ASHES Conference headquarters hotel. You must be registered for the ASHES 2009 Annual Conference and Healthcare Marketplace prior to making hotel reservations. Visit www.ashes.org today to register online for the conference. Register by Friday, September 4 and save up to $195! More

Hospitals Look to Cut Energy Costs
from The Wichita Eagle
In a large-scale equivalent of switching out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents at home, hospitals are saving money and reducing their carbon footprint with energy-saving efforts. More

New H1N1 Guidance for Colleges and Universities Issued
from Infection Control Today
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Department of Education (ED) Secretary Arne Duncan joined with Dr. Beth Bell, deputy director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to announce new guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) to plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season. More

Pitching Patient Safety and Hospital Transparency on YouTube
from The Wall Street Journal
After a medical error, hospitals’ traditional approach has been to retreat behind a wall of silence, on the advice of risk managers and attorneys. But some hospitals are taking a different approach, fully disclosing medical errors, apologizing and offering financial compensation up front – and inviting patients and families to participate in patient safety improvement efforts. More

U.K.: MRSA and C diff Deaths Down
from UKPA
There has been a fall in the number of death certificates mentioning MRSA or Clostridium difficile (C diff) as a contributory factor in why someone died. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the number of death certificates mentioning C diff fell by 29 percent between 2007 and 2008, to 5,931. More

2009 ES Week Deadline – Order Today
from Infection Control Today
The deadline for ordering your 2009 Environmental Services & Housekeeping Week promotional materials is Friday, August 29 to ensure delivery by September 13. Celebrate ES Week and take advantage of a 25 percent off sale on select items. National Healthcare Environmental Services & Housekeeping Week is September 13-19, 2009. Click here to purchase products from the ASHES Official supplier of Healthcare ES and Housekeeping Week products. Royalties on sales assist ASHES with fulfilling its mission. More