EASTBOURNE, ES, United Kingdom — A particularly strong strain of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) has been linked to the deaths of 13 patients while another 17 are being treated for the infection at Eastbourne District General Hospital, according to the Telegraph.
This new 027 strain of Clostridium difficile, referred to as "Super" C. diff, can produce 20 times as much toxin as other strains, is known to cause a higher mortality rate and is resistant to several drugs used to combat the infection, the story stated.
According to the story, there have been 62 cases of Clostridium difficile since the beginning of the year at Eastbourne District General Hospital, and the Health Protection Agency has been called in to assist in containing the infection.
The infection is usually spread by health care workers who fail to properly wash their hands with soap and water; its spores can contaminate floors, bedpans and door handles where they can survive for several days, the story noted.
A spokesperson for the hospital said: "The recent outbreak is thought to be due to the very high number of patients admitted over the winter with severe respiratory infections which have required antibiotic therapy which, in turn, increases peoples' susceptibility to the infection, particularly in the frail and elderly. It has been confirmed that many of these cases were linked to the 027 strain which is known to have a 60 percent mortality rate."
Infected patients have been moved to a dedicated isolation ward and managers have spent £100,000 ($145, 690) on new equipment to eradicate the bacteria from contaminated surfaces within the hospital, the story added.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
First LEED-certified hotel in Midwest
HOLLAND, MI — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification to the City Flats Hotel, according to Environmental Leader.
City Flats is the first hotel in the Midwest to be constructed to meet the stringent standards of LEED Gold certification, the story stated.
The hotel incorporated many sustainable elements, including using rapidly renewable resources like cotton and bamboo for indoor decor and using 30 percent less water than comparable hotels, the story noted.
Most of the items used for the hotel were shipped to Holland and assembled locally, the story added.
City Flats is the first hotel in the Midwest to be constructed to meet the stringent standards of LEED Gold certification, the story stated.
The hotel incorporated many sustainable elements, including using rapidly renewable resources like cotton and bamboo for indoor decor and using 30 percent less water than comparable hotels, the story noted.
Most of the items used for the hotel were shipped to Holland and assembled locally, the story added.
JohnsonDiversey launches Daylight Cleaning™ program
STURTEVANT, WI — JohnsonDiversey announced the launch of Daylight Cleaning™, a new component of the company’s comprehensive Sustainable Facility Care program, through a partnership with DCS Global Enterprises LP, a leading provider of daylight cleaning consulting services, according to a press release.
Daylight Cleaning can reduce lighting, heating and cooling at night, and improves customer satisfaction by making cleaning staff available during peak working hours, providing building occupants with the service they request when they request it, the release stated.
JohnsonDiversey President and CEO Ed Lonergan said: “Our goal is to not only practice sustainability in all we do, but to help our customers become more sustainable in their operations. Daylight Cleaning will help our customers achieve significant, measurable reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions."
DCS has been successfully converting buildings to Daylight Cleaning since 2003, resulting in energy savings, reducing cleaning staff turnover, increasing building security and decreasing light pollution, the release noted.
By switching to Daylight Cleaning, JohnsonDiversey expects to reduce building energy usage by 25,000 kilowatts per month and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 25.6 metric tons per year, the release added.
Daylight Cleaning can reduce lighting, heating and cooling at night, and improves customer satisfaction by making cleaning staff available during peak working hours, providing building occupants with the service they request when they request it, the release stated.
JohnsonDiversey President and CEO Ed Lonergan said: “Our goal is to not only practice sustainability in all we do, but to help our customers become more sustainable in their operations. Daylight Cleaning will help our customers achieve significant, measurable reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions."
DCS has been successfully converting buildings to Daylight Cleaning since 2003, resulting in energy savings, reducing cleaning staff turnover, increasing building security and decreasing light pollution, the release noted.
By switching to Daylight Cleaning, JohnsonDiversey expects to reduce building energy usage by 25,000 kilowatts per month and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 25.6 metric tons per year, the release added.
Citrus- and pine-scented cleaners produce formaldehyde
BERKELEY, CA — Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley conducted a study that found terpenes in pine oils and citrus oils react with ozone to produce formaldehyde, according to the San Jose Health Examiner.
Formaldehyde is a strong eye, nose, throat and lung irritant and is also an asthma trigger and a carcinogen, the story stated.
The researchers found cleaning a small bathroom with citrus or pine-scented cleaners for 15 minutes can lead to excessive formaldehyde exposure, the story noted.
According to the EPA, formaldehyde can cause red watery eyes, sore throats, skin rashes and sinus infections.
The best way to decrease formaldehyde exposure is to open windows and ventilate the area, especially after using pine or citrus cleaners in warm weather when ozone is highest, the story added.
Formaldehyde is a strong eye, nose, throat and lung irritant and is also an asthma trigger and a carcinogen, the story stated.
The researchers found cleaning a small bathroom with citrus or pine-scented cleaners for 15 minutes can lead to excessive formaldehyde exposure, the story noted.
According to the EPA, formaldehyde can cause red watery eyes, sore throats, skin rashes and sinus infections.
The best way to decrease formaldehyde exposure is to open windows and ventilate the area, especially after using pine or citrus cleaners in warm weather when ozone is highest, the story added.
Disgruntled cleaner shoots boss
MILWAUKEE, WI — The owner of Perry's Cleaning Company was shot three times and killed by one of his employees who was upset about not receiving a paycheck, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Maurice Jones, who will receive life in prison if convicted, faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, possession of a firearm by a felon, armed robbery and two counts of attempted robbery, the story stated.
According to the complaint filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Jones showed up at the business wearing a mask and carrying a gun after calling in search of the business owner, Kenneth Perry, earlier in the morning.
After some arguing and demanding money from Perry, Jones removed his mask and, according to accounts from other employees present at the time, appeared very agitated and began pacing, the story noted.
Jones shot Perry after roughly 10 seconds of silence; as Perry fell forward, Jones shot him again before fleeing the building, the story added.
According to the story, Jones was paid in cash but may not have been paid at all because the company was having some financial problems; employees hadn't received pay checks since February 15, 2008.
According to employees, Perry had instructed his staff to hire Jones for odd jobs around the office a couple of months earlier because he was down on his luck.
Maurice Jones, who will receive life in prison if convicted, faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, possession of a firearm by a felon, armed robbery and two counts of attempted robbery, the story stated.
According to the complaint filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Jones showed up at the business wearing a mask and carrying a gun after calling in search of the business owner, Kenneth Perry, earlier in the morning.
After some arguing and demanding money from Perry, Jones removed his mask and, according to accounts from other employees present at the time, appeared very agitated and began pacing, the story noted.
Jones shot Perry after roughly 10 seconds of silence; as Perry fell forward, Jones shot him again before fleeing the building, the story added.
According to the story, Jones was paid in cash but may not have been paid at all because the company was having some financial problems; employees hadn't received pay checks since February 15, 2008.
According to employees, Perry had instructed his staff to hire Jones for odd jobs around the office a couple of months earlier because he was down on his luck.
HSBC headquarters named Green Development of the Year
METTAWA, IL — The 550,000-square-foot Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified North American headquarters of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) has been chosen as the Green Development of the Year by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), according to Consulting Specifying Engineer.
The recognition is part of NAIOP’s 21st annual Awards for Excellence program, the story stated.
The eco-friendly features of the building include a water system that reduces wastewater generation by 82 percent, the story noted.
A green roof and an underfloor air distribution system also help reduce energy costs and add to the building's sustainability, the story added.
The recognition is part of NAIOP’s 21st annual Awards for Excellence program, the story stated.
The eco-friendly features of the building include a water system that reduces wastewater generation by 82 percent, the story noted.
A green roof and an underfloor air distribution system also help reduce energy costs and add to the building's sustainability, the story added.
The growing green lodging trend
TALLAHASSEE, FL — A total of 395 properties statewide have been designated as green by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Green Lodging program, according to the Miami Herald.
Many hospitality employees have noticed an increase in the number of guests inquiring about their property's environmentally friendly policies before making reservations, the story stated.
Nikki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitor's Bureau, said: "We have noticed more meeting groups and even some leisure travelers are weighing in on their concern for our environment. Green lodging is a big trend in the industry, no question about it."
According to the story, the rush for the Green Lodging program's seal of approval started in mid-2007 when Governor Charlie Crist signed an executive order mandating that all state-sponsored meetings and conferences be held in Florida Department of Environmental Protection-certified green facilities whenever possible.
Many of the hotels meeting the criteria utilize energy efficient lighting and low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucets and have on-site recycling programs, the story noted.
There are currently 80 more lodging properties slated to receive Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Green Lodging program certification, the story added.
Many hospitality employees have noticed an increase in the number of guests inquiring about their property's environmentally friendly policies before making reservations, the story stated.
Nikki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitor's Bureau, said: "We have noticed more meeting groups and even some leisure travelers are weighing in on their concern for our environment. Green lodging is a big trend in the industry, no question about it."
According to the story, the rush for the Green Lodging program's seal of approval started in mid-2007 when Governor Charlie Crist signed an executive order mandating that all state-sponsored meetings and conferences be held in Florida Department of Environmental Protection-certified green facilities whenever possible.
Many of the hotels meeting the criteria utilize energy efficient lighting and low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucets and have on-site recycling programs, the story noted.
There are currently 80 more lodging properties slated to receive Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Green Lodging program certification, the story added.
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