Going Green at the Best Rehab Hospitals
“US News and World Report” has released its 2012 list of top American rehabilitation hospitals. Not only are these innovative regarding rehab medicine, but many are undertaking environmentally sound practices. The facilities below are among the top 18 working towards becoming more “green”:
| #1 | Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL: Ranked #1 since 1991, RIC is in the planning stages for a new research hospitals. The architectural firms chosen for this project, HDR and Gensler, are leaders in the reduction of greenhouse gases in buildings and sustainable design. |
| #3 | TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX: In 2010, The Woodlands, TX locale of Memorial began implementing a campus-wide program to reduce, recycle and reuse. Green initiatives include the use of 100% recyclable tissues and towels; automatic bathroom dispensers; microfiber mops; and environmentally friendly cleaners. Goals are to divert 50% of the hospital’s waste from landfills and achieve LEED certification. |
| #5 | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA: Spaulding has two national awards for hospital-wide environmentally friendly practices and for itsMercury-free efforts. Its Green Team, comprised of administrators, managers, doctors and therapists, have drastically cut hospital energy usage, water consumption, paper and packaging waste, as well as a revamped food service using locally grown food products. |
| #9 | Moss Rehab-Albert Einstein, Philadelphia, PA: The Einstein Healthcare Network, of which Moss is a part, is a founding sponsor of the Plant One Million Campaign. This multi-state program is the largest tree-planting initiative in the country. The goal is to reach a 30% tree canopy cover in the Greater Philadelphia area, making it a healthier place to live, by improving air and water quality, and reducing erosion, water pollution and flooding risks. |
Does your hospital, center or clinic practice any unique green initiatives? Let us know! Or if you are interested in working in an environmentally conscious rehabilitation facility call the CENTRA Team at 800 535 0076 and let us help you Go Green!
- Category: General Information
Coming Clean - Handwashing Awareness in Healthcare
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), annually there are about 1.7 million cases of healthcare related infections (HAIs) resulting in 99,000 deaths at an additional cost of $28-33 billion for institutions. Equally concerning is the fact that a large percentage of those deaths are preventable, through compliance with hygiene guidelines, particularly hand washing. The CDC provides educational resources and partners with healthcare facilities to improve compliance and reduce disease and mortality rates. But despite their best efforts, the median compliance rate remains at an unacceptable 40% among all U.S. healthcare workers. An article in the December 2012 issue of “Hospital Epidemiology” notes a further aggravating trend - the reluctance of patients to question their healthcare workers about hand hygiene.
National Handwashing Awareness Week is December 2-8, 2012 and is sponsored by “The Henry the Hand Foundation”. In addition to partnering with schools across the country, the Foundation has introduced a novel “Puppets for Patients” Program to break down the communication barriers between patients and their caregivers concerning the transmission of infections. Increased compliance is also being addressed through the use of technology and/or trained observers. The University of Vanderbilt Medical Center saw an increase from 58% compliance (2003) to 91% compliance (2009) with the use of patient room observers. To improve efficacy and reduce data input time, the Center then developed an in-house software app allowing for discrete, real-time data entry and more timely reporting. Accessible to the general public is the IOS free app “Handwash Counter” by Steven Lipton of Biotest Services, Inc. It tracks not only the frequency of handwashing but also demos proper technique.
If you are an RN, CHT, OT, COTA, PT, PTA, SLP, or Rehab Manager, you know the risks of acquiring and transmitting infections in the workplace. Do your part to reduce that risk...use those soaps and sanitizers frequently! If you want to find a clinical setting that best utilizes your skills and is taking steps to increase patient safety - call the Centra Team at 800 535 0076.
- Category: Patient Care
More Holiday Presents
If our earlier gift ideas don’t fit the bill or the wallet... here are some other unique ones for that special healthcare professional or for yourself!
- Keep Germs At Bay: Post-surgical and medical care related infections are on the rise, as is the use of tech devices in clinical settings. RidRx has antimicrobial products providing that extra layer of protection for iPads and smartphones.
- What’s Up Your Sleeve: Want to protect that iPad even more? Check out Cafe Press’ Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy iPad cases and sleeves, along with their other novelty items designed for each specialty.
- Massage Cares Away: Work related musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive manipulations and lifting of patients are prevalent among nurses and therapists. Treat your favorite nurse/therapist to a massage. FYI, many local massage therapy schools, including NMTI, discount services to healthcare professionals, in exchange for invaluable hands-on experience for their students.
- Time Is Of The Essence: Watches with second-hands and readable faces are a must have for almost everyone in the health sector. Check out the specialty specific ones on Advance Healthcare's Shop. Want to help your favorite healthcare professional stay fit? Give them a watch with built-in pedometer from Walmart.
- And Speaking Of Fitness: Give the gift of better health to your friends/colleagues just by using FitBit products to track your sleeping and activity habits. They can even track eating habits with a free downloadable app, compatible with both iPhones and Android smartphones.
- And Speaking of Free...: Are you or a colleague/friend looking for a new venue to practice your profession? Help is just a free phone call away...contact the Centra Team at 800 535 0076 today!
- Category: General Information
Great Gifts for Healthcare Professionals
Racking your brains about what to give the therapists, nurses and rehabilitation manager in your life for the holidays? Here are a few suggestions:
- Membership in a Professional Association: Previous blogs have discussed the benefits of belonging to a local regional and/or national chapter of professional associations. These are excellent venues for personal and professional growth, along with opportunities to influence your specialty’s mission and strategic planning. Check out ASHT, AOTA, APTA, ASHA, ANA, and IARP for more information.
- Purchase an iPad: These devices play an increasing role in healthcare, and Apple’s App Store simply has no equal in quantity and quality of medical and therapeutic apps. You may have missed their BlackFriday and CyberMonday sales, but free shipping is still available at Apple and other online retailers, such as BestBuy, Target and Walmart.
- Underwrite Attendance at a National Conference: Conferences are important educational and networking opportunities for professionals, but the attendance costs have risen. Defraying costs is a great gift for friends and families to show their support. Dates and locales for next year are as follows:
- ANA Annual Conference - February 6-8, 2013 in Atlanta, GA
- AOTA Conference and Exposition - April 25-28, 2013 in San Diego, CA
- ASHT Annual Meeting - October 24-27, 2013 in Chicago, IL
- IARP Forensic Conference - November 7-9, 2013 in Charleston, SC
- ASHA Convention - November 14-16, 2013 in Chicago, IL
- InCentravize!: Through our Centra Ca$h Program you can earn extra money for referrals while helping friends and colleagues land the employment opportunities of their dreams. Don’t have anyone to refer, but are looking for an exciting career move yourself? Call the Centra Team at 800 535 0076 today!
- Category: General Information
South Carolina: Top Rehab Jobs & Everything it has to Offer
“Smiling Faces. Beautiful Places.”
From the waterfalls, forests, whitewater rapids of Upcountry; to the outdoor sports mecca of Blackwater/Lakes; to the white sandy beaches of Lowcountry - South Carolina is a paradise for vacationers and residents alike! The state has played a central role in every historical event shaping this nation - from the American Revolution, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Civil Rights Movement. That tradition continues today as the Palmetto State leads the way in efficiency and innovation in the industrial, technological and medical sectors. Whether in its historic small towns or its laid-back cities, South Carolina offers up great Southern cooking and warm Southern hospitality.
Centra can help you experience South Carolina traditions firsthand, with employment opportunities to suit every taste. Try the small town feel of Seneca, part of the historic Quilt Trail or the urban lifestyle of the capital, Columbia, with one of America’s top zoos and a reputation as one of America’s most liveable communities. Immerse yourself in American history at the Cowpens National Battlefield in Spartanburg or the 1828 County Courthouse in Lancaster where the last witch trials were held in this country. Watch the NASCAR Southern 500 in Darlington, a thoroughbred steeplechase in Aiken and play golf on an Audubon-certified course in Cheraw. Or take in the beauty of irises and 8 species of swans at Swan Lake/Iris Gardens in Sumter and the fragrance of hundreds of award winning roses at Edisto Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg.
Call Centra at 800 535 0076 and we will find you a South Carolina therapy position to enjoy all that Southern charm!
- Category: General Information
Blog
