hospital safety Archives

Cyberattacks Using Ransomware Are Shutting Down Hospitals

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?

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

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.

OH&S’ Top Tips for Workplace Safety for Healthcare Employees

Manage Your Workplace Risks

Caring for the sick unfortunately puts healthcare workers at a high risk of getting ill or injured themselves. It’s a stressful line of work with plenty of hazards, ranging from exposure to pathogens to the hazards of working with heavy equipment.

Everyone in a medical facility should be aware of proper safety practices. They include orderlies, nursing aides, and maintenance staff — who face the greatest risk of physical injury from musculoskeletal disorders.

When your healthcare organization discusses safety and injury prevention, be sure to include ergonomic concerns and repetitive task injuries. These issues rank up there with the top healthcare injuries according to OH&S Online:

1. Bloodborne pathogens can be controlled with proper handwashing and wearing safety equipment, along with proper equipment cleaning.

2. Sharps injuries usually occur when storing or transferring the instrument. Use locked safety boxes for storage and pass them in basins.

3. Musculoskeletal injuries are caused by high-effort and repetitive tasks. Common factors include lifting patients from beds and pushing equipment carts. Use powered hospital carts to move equipment and maintenance supplies, and use slings and hoists to move patients whenever possible.

4. Chemical risks require constant vigilance — have safety sheets handy and make sure workers are using protective equipment and safe practices.

5. Fire risks are higher in hospitals than many other workplaces because of the chemicals present. Regularly review your fire response protocol with all workers.

Injury risks for healthcare employees cannot be eliminated, but they can be managed. Automated equipment is a big part of the solution, including powered hospital carts to help move equipment and maintenance supplies. Contact DJ Products for more info about our cart movers.

Hospitals Move to Microfiber Flat Mops to Improve Ergonomics

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.

Cart Pullers and Cart Pushers Lessen Chances of Hospital Drama

Are you a fan of ER or Grey’s Anatomy or other dramas set in hospitals? Well, the drama in real hospitals would reach new levels if a hospital found that a number of staff members were indisposed because of the kinds of strains and injuries workers get when they use material handling solutions that are not designed with ergonomics in mind.

Weighty Matters
An Electric Tugger cuts down on the chance of overexertion and will allow your employees to move fully loaded carts quickly and easily. Electric Tuggers also help to keep residents safe by allowing the staff to keep rooms and hallways clear. The Cart Puller from DJ Products is powerful enough to easily haul carts weighing up to fifteen hundred pounds without putting any undue stress on employees.

Better Handling
No matter how heavy or how light the loads your employees are transporting, it is crucial that they be able to move with ease. The term hospital corners normally refers to a method of making beds but when you are transporting a load of linens or medical supplies, tight hospital corners are the ones that you must travel through without running into anyone or losing what is being carried. A cart pusher like the CartCaddyShorty attaches to the swivel-castered end of the cart and provides the pushing and pulling power necessary for easy turning and intricate maneuvering.

With Hospital Carts from DJ Products you can leave the hospital drama to the people on TV. Call us at 800-686-2651 to speak to a Sales Engineer and learn more about our material handling solutions for hospitals.

Tag: hospital safety