BOSTON — Nine employees subcontracted from American Cleaning Company to work at Harvard Medical School staged a protest Monday morning in response to their recent layoffs, according to the Harvard Crimson.
Escorted by nearly 30 students and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 615, the custodians' representing body, the displaced employees attempted to clock in before heading to the basement for a small ceremony, the story stated.
Protestors held hands and presented the laid off workers with bread representing livelihood and roses representing dignity before the group was removed from the building, the story noted.
According to the story, Ana Guevara, one of the laid off custodians, said that she had been studying to get her GED through a bridge program with Harvard, but because she will no longer be affiliated with the University, she will have to leave the program after this semester.
Harvard Medical School says it is doing all it can to help the former custodians regain employment, the story added.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Dallas area hospitals invest in infection prevention
DALLAS — With growing concern over hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) like Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), several Dallas area hospitals are investing heavily in infection education and prevention, according to the Dallas Morning News.
The Baylor Health Care System has allocated $20 million for infection education, part of which included inviting Victoria Nahum who started the Safe Care Campaign to educate hospital staff and administrators about the dangers of carelessness after three of her family members became infected in three hospitals in three states in 10 months, the story stated.
Another facility, Texas Health Resources Inc., reinforces infection prevention protocols with "time outs" in surgical situations to double-check the sterilization of equipment and supplies, the story noted.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year, and cost hospitals $28.4 billion to $33.8 billion annually, or $26,000 per patient.
Many of the efforts employed by hospitals to fight infections revolve around creative programs that stress proper hand hygiene, the story added.
According to the story, Methodist Health System spent $80,000 on small hand sanitizer pumps in and around patient rooms, a $30,000 increase from 2004.
The Baylor Health Care System has allocated $20 million for infection education, part of which included inviting Victoria Nahum who started the Safe Care Campaign to educate hospital staff and administrators about the dangers of carelessness after three of her family members became infected in three hospitals in three states in 10 months, the story stated.
Another facility, Texas Health Resources Inc., reinforces infection prevention protocols with "time outs" in surgical situations to double-check the sterilization of equipment and supplies, the story noted.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year, and cost hospitals $28.4 billion to $33.8 billion annually, or $26,000 per patient.
Many of the efforts employed by hospitals to fight infections revolve around creative programs that stress proper hand hygiene, the story added.
According to the story, Methodist Health System spent $80,000 on small hand sanitizer pumps in and around patient rooms, a $30,000 increase from 2004.
Brigham Young students prepare for LEED-AP exam
PROVO, UT — A construction management student at Brigham Young University took his passion for the environment and started the Sustainable Build and Design Club to educate others about sustainability, according to The Maneater, Brigham Young's student newspaper.
As part of the club, Dave Robinaugh and other members help prepare students for an exam to become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), the story stated.
Robinaugh said: "The idea of the club is to help people realize that what they do has an impact on the world around them and that everyone in their specific area can make a difference. To me, it’s just about building responsibly. I think for so long the majority of my industry has built in a manner that was irresponsible and people have demanded buildings that didn’t show respect for the world around them, the people around them or the creations of God."
At the beginning of the year, only two students were accredited in LEED, but there are now 16, with another dozen students expected to take the test at the end of the semester, the story noted.
The club sets aside four Saturdays a semester to help prepare for the test and takes students on a tour of a green-friendly building to help solidify the principles they have been learning, the story added.
As part of the club, Dave Robinaugh and other members help prepare students for an exam to become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), the story stated.
Robinaugh said: "The idea of the club is to help people realize that what they do has an impact on the world around them and that everyone in their specific area can make a difference. To me, it’s just about building responsibly. I think for so long the majority of my industry has built in a manner that was irresponsible and people have demanded buildings that didn’t show respect for the world around them, the people around them or the creations of God."
At the beginning of the year, only two students were accredited in LEED, but there are now 16, with another dozen students expected to take the test at the end of the semester, the story noted.
The club sets aside four Saturdays a semester to help prepare for the test and takes students on a tour of a green-friendly building to help solidify the principles they have been learning, the story added.
Industry donates resources in NY massacre cleanup
BINGHAMTON, NY — Following the horrific events that unfolded last Friday at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, NY, the American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA) has completed the cleanup, according to a press release.
The ABRA, a non-profit international association of crime and trauma scene professionals sought help from two local companies to assist in the biorecovery cleanup efforts, the release stated.
Disaster Cleanup of Endwell, NY, and Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York, NY, donated their labor and supplies to professionally and legally remediate the scene with a crew of six highly skilled biorecovery technicians, the release noted.
As a community service, the ABRA provided no cost biohazard cleanup services to the non-profit American Civic Association in hopes of helping the community heal from the loss of 13 innocent would-be American citizens and the wounding of four others, the release added.
The thoughts and prayers of the CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management® and CM/Cleanfax® staff go out to all of the friends and families affected by this tragedy.
The ABRA, a non-profit international association of crime and trauma scene professionals sought help from two local companies to assist in the biorecovery cleanup efforts, the release stated.
Disaster Cleanup of Endwell, NY, and Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York, NY, donated their labor and supplies to professionally and legally remediate the scene with a crew of six highly skilled biorecovery technicians, the release noted.
As a community service, the ABRA provided no cost biohazard cleanup services to the non-profit American Civic Association in hopes of helping the community heal from the loss of 13 innocent would-be American citizens and the wounding of four others, the release added.
The thoughts and prayers of the CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management® and CM/Cleanfax® staff go out to all of the friends and families affected by this tragedy.
Thirty sickened by norovirus at Michigan State University
EAST LANSING, MI — Two more students at Michigan State University have been sickened by norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, bringing the total of hospitalized students to 30, according to the Lansing State Journal.
Disinfection efforts were continuing at Shaw Hall, which was closed last Wednesday and where many of the infected students either resided or dined; the building is expected to reopen today, the story stated.
Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and can last anywhere from a few days to a week, the story added.
Disinfection efforts were continuing at Shaw Hall, which was closed last Wednesday and where many of the infected students either resided or dined; the building is expected to reopen today, the story stated.
Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and can last anywhere from a few days to a week, the story added.
LEED-Gold certified juvenile justice center
SAN LEANDRO, CA — The 379,000-square-foot Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center that houses five courtrooms, nine related agencies and 360 beds, is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified, according to Corrections.com.
Some of the attributes in the complex that was planned, designed and now operates as a green facility, are water-efficient irrigation systems and waterless urinals that save around 7,000,000 gallons of water annually, the story stated.
The entire facility is cleaned using only green-certified cleaning chemicals and products, adding to its environmentally friendly aspects, the story noted.
Steven Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, said: "Don’t forget the intangible savings that often result from the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products. We now know that a number of health problems — from respiratory ailments such as asthma to headaches, dizziness and fatigue — have been tied to conventional cleaning products. When inmates get sick, it costs the facility — and ultimately the taxpayer — more money."
Given the current economic state, it is a rare opportunity when a facility can be cleaner, healthier and more fiscally responsible all at the same time, the story added.
Some of the attributes in the complex that was planned, designed and now operates as a green facility, are water-efficient irrigation systems and waterless urinals that save around 7,000,000 gallons of water annually, the story stated.
The entire facility is cleaned using only green-certified cleaning chemicals and products, adding to its environmentally friendly aspects, the story noted.
Steven Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, said: "Don’t forget the intangible savings that often result from the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products. We now know that a number of health problems — from respiratory ailments such as asthma to headaches, dizziness and fatigue — have been tied to conventional cleaning products. When inmates get sick, it costs the facility — and ultimately the taxpayer — more money."
Given the current economic state, it is a rare opportunity when a facility can be cleaner, healthier and more fiscally responsible all at the same time, the story added.
Meth lab cleanup laws scrutinized
INDIANAPOLIS — A two-year-old Indiana law that requires property owners to cover the costs of a methamphetamine lab cleanup is being scrutinized as the epidemic becomes widespread, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The average cleanup cost for a methamphetamine lab in Indiana ranges anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000 depending on the length of time the lab was functioning and the level of contamination, the story stated.
Indiana State Police and other local and federal agencies uncovered 1,092 labs in the state in 2008, a 31 percent increase from 2007.
The fumes from the toxic chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine soak into virtually every porous surface, including carpet, drywall, upholstery and ceiling tile, and then are gassed off over time, leading to nausea, headaches, malaise and even memory loss, the story noted.
The law that took effect in March 2007 sets stringent standards for cleanup and says properties where methamphetamine was manufactured, or "cooked," cannot be sold, rented or occupied until they are deemed safe by a state-certified inspector, the story added.
According to the story, it is often cheaper to demolish a former methamphetamine lab site, especially in the case of mobile homes, than it is to pay for remediation.
The average cleanup cost for a methamphetamine lab in Indiana ranges anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000 depending on the length of time the lab was functioning and the level of contamination, the story stated.
Indiana State Police and other local and federal agencies uncovered 1,092 labs in the state in 2008, a 31 percent increase from 2007.
The fumes from the toxic chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine soak into virtually every porous surface, including carpet, drywall, upholstery and ceiling tile, and then are gassed off over time, leading to nausea, headaches, malaise and even memory loss, the story noted.
The law that took effect in March 2007 sets stringent standards for cleanup and says properties where methamphetamine was manufactured, or "cooked," cannot be sold, rented or occupied until they are deemed safe by a state-certified inspector, the story added.
According to the story, it is often cheaper to demolish a former methamphetamine lab site, especially in the case of mobile homes, than it is to pay for remediation.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)