Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Behind every high-performing building lies an unsung hero: the central plant. These mechanical nerve centers—clusters of chillers, boilers, pumps, and cooling towers—quietly provide heating and cooling to hospitals, airports, campuses, and other complex facilities. When everything hums along, hardly anyone gives them a second thought. But when a pump fails or a chiller trips, the […]
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will spend $4.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 to modernize, repair, and improve healthcare facilities as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) program, which makes infrastructure improvements to healthcare facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care. This is the largest single-year NRM […]
As buildings seal up for colder months and occupants spend more time indoors, indoor air quality (IAQ) is becoming harder to ignore. What was once treated as a background mechanical function is now shaping comfort, complaints, and confidence in shared spaces. For facilities managers, this shift presents a growing challenge. People are making decisions about […]
As we enter 2026, it’s never been more important to empower and protect the healthcare workforce. Healthcare organizations continue to face persistent staffing shortages and high turnover while combating increasing levels of violence. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare and social service workers are five times more likely to suffer a workplace violence injury […]
Rising workplace violence, especially in healthcare and other client-facing sectors, points to a growing security challenge that demands facility managers’ attention. According to recent research from Verkada and The Harris Poll, 82% of healthcare workers want their employers to increase security measures, with 77% reporting no improvements in the past year. While strong security has […]
University of Michigan Health-West has launched a K9 security program, introducing specially trained dogs and handlers who will enhance safety and bring comfort to patients, families, and staff. The new teams add another layer of protection while helping create a calm and welcoming environment for care. The K9 teams include Derek Karcher and Tukka, Isaiah […]
Violence in healthcare is a significant problem, with both physical and financial consequences. In 2022, the American Hospital Association (AHA) reported that nearly 17,000 hospital workers experienced nonfatal injuries or illnesses related to workplace violence that were serious enough to require time off. The AHA also recently reported that workplace and community violence is costing U.S. hospitals over $18 […]
Hospitals and healthcare systems are navigating unprecedented complexity. Facility executives are expected to deliver uninterrupted service, modernize aging infrastructure, and comply with mandates, all while managing constrained capital budgets. At the same time, rising energy prices, increased grid volatility, and the growing frequency of extreme weather are putting additional strain on critical systems. Nonprofit healthcare […]
Aspirus Health, a healthcare provider serving areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, announced that its Aspirus Langlade Hospital in Antigo, Wis., recently introduced autonomous lawn mowers to support its sustainability efforts. These battery-operated, self-propelled mowers are managed through an application and operate on electricity rather than gas. Aspirus Langlade is the eighth location in the […]
Patient care is a priority for healthcare organizations, but budget constraints can keep many operating with outdated facilities management systems. These systems are not seen as directly impacting patient outcomes, so they can fall to the end of the list for investment. This is a missed opportunity because modern building management systems that monitor and […]