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April 2006 HESP Newsletter
Volume 21, Number
3, March 2006
Meeting Notes
Meeting Announcement
Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Location: American Serbian Club on the South Side
Meeting Sponsor: Filtech
Speaker:TBA
Subject: environmental control issues of USP 797 Regulations and guidance suggestions
Agenda
| Attitude Adjustment |
5:00 p.m. |
| Buffet |
6:00 p.m. |
| Host Presentation |
6:45 p.m. |
| Business Meeting |
7:30 p.m. |
Business Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: President-Elect, Dan Procupp, called the meeting to order at 6:45 P.M Dan introduced our sponsor for the evening, Deckman Company, represented by
Bill David and Joe Paul; and StrionAir, represented by Michael P. Panopoulos,
Strategic Accounts VP, who was our speaker for the evening. Michael talked
about break through air-filtration technology available from StrionAir.
Business Meeting: Dan called the meeting to order at 7:45 P.M. The minutes of
the February 2006 meeting were approved as printed. The attendance for this
evening's meeting was as follows: 26 hospital members; 22 associate members;
and 15 guests. The actual count was 71. Dan reminded everyone to "look in the
book" -- Newsletter -- when looking for products or services.
Treasurer's Report: Dick Barker -- Dick read the Treasurer's report. It was
approved as read. The 50/50 raffle was drawn. Tom White from IES won $87.00.
New Members: Ken Duttine, Stationary Engineer, was approved for membership this
evening. Welcome, Ken!
Guests: We had 4 guests introduce themselves tonight: Fred Sala, boiler operator
at the old SCI, Western Pen.; Kevin Kearney and John Piscor, Builders Hardware
and; George Zozos, Ingersol Rand. Thanks Guys!
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Education: Michael Bryer -- No Report.
Newsletter: Ron Lukcic -- Ron thanked all of our advertisers. As usual, Ron is
looking for articles of interest and/or humor for the newsletter.
Codes and Regulations: Bill Brooks -- No Report.
ASHE: No Report.
Biomed: Dan Procupp -- No Report.
Membership: Brenda Henwood -- Dan said that he has spoken to Brenda and she is looking for assistance and ideas for membership. Anyone wishing to help on
this important committee please send Dan an e-mail.
Holiday Party: Chuck Froetschel -- Chuck said that we, again, will have a Monte
Carlo theme, plus the addition of Texas Hold em Poker. We are looking at a
tentative date of Friday December 8th, at the American Serbian Club. More
information to follow. Chuck would also be interested in suggestions, ideas
and volunteers for the party committee. See Chuck or look for his contact
information on the back of the newsletter.
Picnic: Bruce Saddler -- Bruce has set the date for the Washington Wild Things
game and tailgate party -- Saturday, July 15, 2006. We need to know who will
be attending by the 3rd week of June. Look for information in the mail by mid
May. Bruce would also appreciate donations of door prizes by vendors.
Golf Outing: Steve Tarasovic -- Steve announced that this year's golf outing has
been set for Thursday, September 14th with an ELEVEN O'CLOCK tee off. This
year's outing will be at Lindenwood Golf Course in Peters Township. Steve said
that we will probably start playing other courses in the future. Steve would
appreciate donations of door prizes from vendors or anybody.
Web Site/Marketing: Alice Hoffmaster (The Write Design) -- Alice welcomed all
new people and asked that we go to the web site to confirm registration for
the newsletter. Alice is looking for articles of interest to put on the website. Employment ads would also be appreciated.
Hospital Engineers Special Projects: Chuck gave a brief history of our
involvement with the once-called "Christmas in April Program." We, as an
organization, have decided to do "projects" on our own. Therefore, we are
looking for ideas. Please, bring your ideas to future meetings. Local vs.
distant locations were discussed.
Old Business: No Report.
New Business: Dan briefly outlined a new idea: "Recognize a Hospital Program."
More information to follow.
Adjournment: There being no further business, Dan adjourned the meeting at 8:14
P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank Rutledge, Secretary
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March's Meeting Sponsor
HESP extends its thanks and appreciation to the Deckman Company and StrionAir.
Many thanks to the SW Hospital Engineers of SW PA for providing StrionAir the
opportunity to discuss our air purification technology, new to the HVAC
industry.
StrionAir is also pleased to announce that it has formed a partnership with The
Deckman Company of Carnegie, PA to represent StrionAir's air-purification
products. The StrionAir System is a patented, breakthrough air-purification
system that uses electrical enhancements to not only capture but actively kill
airborne pathogens, providing a safer, more comfortable and productive work
environment.
The System leverages more 20 years of development including pioneering research
by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Key features and benefits:
- Very high filtration efficiency (up to MERV 16 per ASHRAE 52.2)
- Third party tested effective at deactivating bacteria, molds, spores and
viruses
- Very low initial static pressure for exceptional energy savings
- Extended filter life
- Easily retrofit into existing air handlers or specified for new construction
The StrionAir System's unique combination of high-performance filtration and an
active germicidal effect provides tremendous operating savings and personnel
protection benefits for hospitals, government and military buildings and
commercial buildings.
For more information or to schedule a presentation on the StrionAir System,
contact your Deckman Company account representative today. To contact StrionAir,
please visit our website at www.StrionAir.com.
Michael P. Panopoulos
Strategic Accts VP
StrionAir, Inc.
MPanopoulos@strionair.com
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Calendar of Events for Upcoming Sponsors
May: Mini-Trade Show Event --Topic: To Be Announced
June: Deval -- Topic: Boilers
October: Grainger -- Topic: To Be Announced
If you would
like to be a meeting sponsor in 2006,
please contact Dan
Procupp .
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ASHE Report
1. JCAHO Announces Revision to Hospital Standards
On February 2, 2006, the Joint Commission (JCAHO) announced revisions to the Hospital accreditation standards effective July 1, 2006. Included in the
revisions is nearly a total rewrite of Standard EC.4.20 on Emergency Management
Drills. The revised standard will increase the number of Elements of Performance
(scorable elements) from the current 5 to 14. Intended to increase the
effectiveness of emergency management drills, the new elements require that:
- exercise scenarios are realistic and related to the priorities of the
organizations hazard vulnerability analysis,
- a knowledgeable individual is selected to monitor the performance of the
drill
- core performance areas are monitored during the drill including event
notification, communication within the hospital and to responsible entities
outside the hospital, resource allocation and mobilization, and patient
management
- exercised are critiqued resulting in modifications to improve the emergency management plan
- improvements are evaluated for effectiveness through planned exercises
1. JCAHO Reiterates That Roller Latches Must Be Replaced By March 13, 2006
In the February 2006 edition of EC News, the Joint Commission reiterated its
requirement that roller latch replacement must be completed by March 13, 2006.
The clarification states that "Only under unique circumstances will the Joint
Commission allow roller latch replacement to be placed on the Part 4 -- Plan for
Improvement of the SOC." The requirement for positive door latching is from the
2000 edition of the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101 section 7.2.1.9.2. Joint
Commission will not allow the roller latch exception to this section. The
clarification states that The Joint Commission believes that removing the roller
latch assembly is significant enough to be considered new construction, which
does not allow roller latches and does require positive latching." In the
February 2004 edition of EC News, the Joint Commission set the compliance date
and rationale for their decision to no longer allow roller latches. The article
JCAHO and CMS Now Agree on Roller Latches established the compliance date of
March 13, 2006 and warned hospitals "Don't Procrastinate." CMS has a similar
expectation of compliance stated in its Final Rule (adopting the 2000 edition of
the Life Safety Code) published in the January 10, 2003, edition of the Federal
Register. Click on the appropriate link for either a text version or a PDF
version of the final rule as published in the January 10, 2003 Federal Register.
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TRADESHOW
ATTENTION VENDORS
A Mini Trade Show -- Display Tables --
is being planned for the
May 2, 2006 HESP meeting
Cost: $300
A table and a 5 minute introductory speech.
For reservations, call: Dan Procupp at:
724-250-6099
First Come - First Served
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