Tag: Hospital Management

Cyberattacks Using Ransomware Are Shutting Down Hospitals

Make a Decision to Better Your Hospital.
Make a Decision to Better Your Hospital.

The sensitive nature of medical data makes any hospital a target for cyberattacks. Whether the hackers wish to profit from terrorizing the health organization or if they seek to steal personally identifiable information for other purposes, these security threats present a danger to both hospitals and patients.

In May, a wave of ransomware attacks affected hospital systems around the world. Here’s how the attack works:

• Hackers take over a hospital’s computer network

• Computers are frozen, effectively bringing most procedures to a standstill

• Hackers demand a ransom, usually in the tens of thousands and paid in Bitcoin

• The hospital must pay the ransom for a decryption key

Any organization could be the target of this kind of cyberattack, but the fact that patients’ lives are at stake makes it more likely that a hospital will have to relent and pay the fee.

Managing Security in a World of Electronic Medical Records

Ironically, the proliferation of health technology is also what makes a hospital vulnerable to cyberattacks. No one will be returning to paper records, so experts are pushing for better security.

Hospitals can reduce the risk of cyberattacks by educating employees about password and network protection. Patients should also be educated about methods of communication used by the hospital to help avoid phishing scams.

Hospital Carts for Better Operations

At DJ Products, we’re obsessed with helping you improve operations at your hospital. Our ergonomically designed hospital carts are battery-powered so employees can be more productive and enjoy a safer work environment. Explore our many types of hospital carts and feel free to request more info or a free demo.

What Are the Top Challenges for Hospital Administrators?

What Are the Top Challenges for Hospital Administrators?
What Are the Top Challenges for Hospital Administrators?

The new century has brought more changes in healthcare than any other period in history. Competition is also fiercer than ever, making it imperative that hospital administrators keep pace with the latest trends and developments.

What are the top challenges you’ll face over the next 12 months and beyond?

1. Incorporating Advanced Technology

Technology has changed the landscape for all businesses, but none more so than healthcare. Some of today’s urgent issues are:

  • Adapting wearable tracking devices for patient care
  • Using social media to engage patients and nurture relationships outside the hospital
  • Continuing meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs)
  • Complying with HIPAA requirements for effective security of patient records

2. Population Health Management

Although population health management is a hot topic, there’s no standardized definition at the moment. In its broadest sense, PHM refers to aggregating data and creating policies and programs to affect the health outcomes of a group of people. “Group” can be defined by any shared characteristics such as geography, demographics, or even place of employment.

3. A Focus on Collaboration

As the industry shifts to value-based healthcare, providers will find increasing benefits in partnering with other companies both inside and outside the healthcare industry.

Save Time and Labor with Powered Hospital Carts from DJ Products

You can’t afford to have patients burdened by crowded hallways and inefficient housekeeping. Our powered hospital carts allow employees to move loads of up to 1,000 pounds safely and efficiently, even in the tightest quarters.

Visit our website and use our handy online chat feature to let our knowledgeable sales engineers help you find the best solution for your needs.

Protect Your Hospital Property with These Slip and Fall Tips

Protect Your Hospital Property with These Slip and Fall Tips
Protect Your Hospital Property with These Slip and Fall Tips

Safety is always in season, but winter brings a special set of concerns. Hectic schedules, understaffed shifts, and even tracked-in snow and sleet can make a workplace more vulnerable to accidents, such as slips and falls. EHS Today has some winter safety tips for businesses of all kinds, and the lessons can certainly be applied to hospitals and health care organizations.

Regarding slips and falls, the main concern during the cold months of the year stems from wet surfaces. Even indoors, the threat may be greater than normal because people track snow in on their footwear. The inevitable melted pile of slush can make hospital hallways slippery in unexpected places.

Winter Slips and Falls in Hospitals

Workers are more likely to slip and fall inside your hospital when they’re moving equipment. For one thing, their view of the ground in front of them may be obstructed. If they’re exerting force to manually push a wheeled cart, a wet floor is even more dangerous.

Hospital cart movers that use battery power to propel motorized carts can help with this situation. The worker can walk at a normal pace, alongside the cart if preferred. By avoiding pushing heavy carts manually, your workers retain a better sense of balance and are less prone to slipping on the unseen wet floors.

Hospitals can also post safety notices, add non-slip mats to key areas, and hold staff meetings about safety practices. However, hospital cart movers are a more permanent solution.

Looking to avoid slips and falls at your hospital? Consider DJ Products’ electric hospital cart movers to improve safety for health workers and maintenance staff.

Hospitals Move to Microfiber Flat Mops to Improve Ergonomics

Reduce Hospital Acquired Infections While Improving Efficiency
Reduce Hospital Acquired Infections While Improving Efficiency

Keeping healthcare facilities clean and free of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) is a full-time and laborious job that involves mopping and wiping down all surfaces. This type of work takes a toll on the body and can cause injury. American Laundry News explains that one way to reduce strain is by switching to microfiber flat mops. By using hospital ergonomic equipment including lighter mops and hospital cart movers, employees and patients have a healthier, safer work environment.

Equipment changes that improve ergonomics

American Laundry News emphasizes the ergonomic benefits of switching to microfiber flat mops as they’re lighter, can be operated with less strain on the back and result reduced cleaning frequency which helps avoid repetitive motion injuries in workers. However, cleaning with microfiber mops is just one way to improve the safety and functionality of healthcare facilities.

Keeping a hospital clean, organized and running smoothly requires easy access to necessary supplies and an effortless way to transport them. Using hospital ergonomic equipment such as cart movers enables workers to transport supplies swiftly and without strain on their body as the powered cart supplies the strength.

Investing in hospital ergonomic equipment

Just as American Laundry News explains that not all microfiber mop systems are equal, not all ergonomic equipment is equal either. An experienced, professional supplier of hospital equipment can provide high-quality, efficient cart movers to help maneuver carts weighing up to 1,000 pounds without straining the employees operating them. Workers avoid overexertion and the cart movers aid in freeing up valuable space in hallways and rooms.

Cart movers from DJ Products can improve the safety and efficiency of healthcare facilities. Contact us today to find out more about our solutions for hospitals.

Hospitals Struggle to Find the Right Match for Management Staffing

Hospitals Struggle With Management
Hospitals Struggle With Management

We’ve all heard inspiring tales of a CEO who began his or her career at the lowest levels of the company — as a dishwasher, night stocker, or hospital orderly. Today’s employment makes such bottom-to-top ascension more of a rarity. However, businesses can still receive great value by empowering employees to move up the chain of command.

In the health care industry, management personnel must understand every facet of workflow. In order to deliver great patient care, management teams and executives benefit from an understanding of how every part works together.

As the magazine Hospitals & Health Networks recently explained, the complex and constantly evolving nature of health care makes it vital for management to take a comprehensive approach:

  • Maximum efficiency: hospitals need managers who understand operational procedures on a deep level, including logistical concerns  such as hospital cart movement.
  • Holistic overview: employees who have served in various capacities within a hospital can spot areas in need of improvement and emerging trends.
  • Leadership: promoting from within strengthens the effectiveness of hospital management.

One good place to start: make hiring decisions at every level with potential leadership skills in mind. Modern tools and technology like our motorized caddies for hospital cart movement allow hospitals to fill physically demanding positions, such as orderly or nurse assistant, with the applicant who has the best mind and personality for the job. By empowering that employee with ergonomic solutions that let them perform tasks under less physical stress, the employee can blossom other talents including management and leadership skills.

Visit DJProducts.com for more hospital cart movement solutions that improve operations and benefit your human resources efforts.