Business Continuity Planning: Ensure Your Laboratory is Prepared for a Crisis

Nanette Moss | January 2, 2020

It is not a matter of if disasters will occur, but when will they occur. According to the Business Continuity Institute – 2019 Horizon Scan Report the top five threats of greatest concern for 2020 are: Cyber-attack or data breach IT and telecom outage Adverse weather or natural disaster Critical infrastructure failure (e.g. power disruption)...

Getting Ready for USP 800: What Your Hospital Pharmacy Needs to Know

Erin Higgins | December 10, 2019

While regulations for sterile compounding have been around for decades, many hospital pharmacies around the country have been racing to meet compliance with the new USP 800. Unlike the current standards set by USP 797, which are generally designed to protect the product, USP 800 aims to regulate employee protection. It provides requirements for healthcare...

Sterile Drug Compounding Contamination: What Facility Managers Need to Know and How to Maintain Compliance

Erin Higgins | December 2, 2019

The most widely publicized sterile drug compound contamination outbreak was traced back to the New England Compounding Center in 2012. This outbreak led to more than 800 cases and 64 deaths. The direct cause of these infections was fungal contamination of methylprednisolone that led to the development of fungal meningitis. Perhaps the most shocking detail...

How to Investigate and Prevent Accidents in Research Laboratories

Kevin Coghlan | November 14, 2019

With the proper training, engineering controls and administrative precautions, laboratory safety risks can be effectively managed. However, accidents can and do happen. Accidents, while unfortunate, present an opportunity to learn and improve the performance of a laboratory safety program. The investigation must be carefully and thoughtfully executed to gain the full benefits of an accident...

5 Emerging Concerns in Indoor Environmental Quality

Matt Fragala | November 4, 2019

On average, Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors — and the quality of their indoor environment can have significant effects on their health and well-being. Since indoor concentrations of some pollutants can be as much as five times higher than outdoor concentrations, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) should be a top concern for everyone....

BERDO & BEUDO Compliance: What You Need to Know – and What You May Not Have Considered

Andy Machado and Jack McCarthy | October 3, 2019

Boston and Cambridge are following the path laid by New York City’s landmark Local Law 84. In recent years, both Massachusetts cities passed legislation to require mandatory energy and water reporting for large buildings within their jurisdictions. You may think you know the details…but you might not have considered all the consequences. Boston’s Building Energy...

5 No-Cost Fixes Hospitals Can Make to Improve Joint Commission Compliance

Kristin Pitocco | September 12, 2019

With only 60 days to address all findings after a Joint Commission (TJC) survey, it’s more important than ever for hospitals to take proactive steps to avoid some of the more common citations. Luckily, many common citations can be resolved without a cost, allowing your hospital to be better prepared for your next survey without...

Dead Legs in Water Systems Can Lead to Live Legionella: A Cost-prevention Feature Can Create Difficulties in Hospitals and Other Building Types

Kathleen Brown | August 19, 2019

Design engineers and building owners should take notice: small features intended to prevent headaches down the line could be increasing their risk of waterborne infections. Many building systems are designed to allow for future expansion, which can lead to “dead legs” in domestic plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This extra piping...

Workplace Violence: How to Prevent, Prepare and React to an Armed Intruder

Nanette Moss | August 8, 2019

Any workplace can be vulnerable to violence, but having a plan in place to prevent, prepare and react to an armed intruder or active shooter is the best way to minimize severity and save lives. With the frequency of shooting incidents increasing, it’s more important than ever for workplaces to be prepared. In fact, assaults...

Beyond ASTM Phase 1: Do You Need the Protection of a More Robust Environmental Site Assessment?

Cindee Campisano | July 16, 2019

Purchasing or leasing a commercial property is a big decision, and you deserve to have a clear understanding of exactly what you’re buying. While your bank will require you to conduct an ASTM Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to identify environmental issues associated with your new facility, this evaluation may not be comprehensive enough....