Management Briefing FY15

Environmental Management Service (EMS) provides a variety of support throughout the Medical Center:  Interior Design:  A professional in determining the appropriate design and decor for the West Palm Beach Medical Center facility, related clinics, and off-site facilities. Decisions are made by the incumbent to ensure the decor is aesthetically and psychologically conducive to the patients' well­ being.  Pest Control:  Utilizes suitable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control methods to reduce and control hazards to public health, stored products, structures, and vegetation the employee selects, mixes, and applies restricted and general use pesticides.

Continued  Paint Shop:  W ork involves the performance of brush, roller, and/or spray painting and decorating interior and exterior surfaces of buildings, structures, equipment, and furnishings where appearance as well as surface protection is important.  Sanitation:  Performs the full range of cleaning duties in the assigned area. Proper dust mopping and double bucket wet/damp mopping is required. Cleaning procedures will be utilized in accordance with established policy/procedure manual.  Textile & Laundry Operations:  Is a large consolidated plant in VISN 8 which does approximately two and half million pounds of soiled linen per year. Areas of responsibilities include, West Palm Beach VA, Miami VA and all outlying six (6) Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC’s) for each facility. Linens are delivered to its customers by VA employees using Tractor Trailers and Box Truck.

Vacant positions include:  (1)- EMS Supervisor  (1)- Supply Technician  (5)- Housekeeping Aids-WG-3  (13)- Housekeeping Aids-WG-2  (1)- Clerk-GS-4  (1)- Laundry Equipment Operator  (1)- Laundry Machine Operator  (1)- Laundry Worker EMS Currently has 24 vacancies with an average rate of 16.3% an overall increase of 5.3% from FY14.

The largest number of employees (18) resigned from Housekeeping Aid positions, with the next highest at (10) for promotions to other service; (4) Retired; (4) Terminated; (1) Transfer to other VA and (1) transferred to other agency.

 EMS has identified critical positions that are currently being developed to bridge the gap between front line employees and first level supervision, i.e., higher-level WG series positions: Waste Management and Recycling. We also will be working on creating a position for an EMS Supervisor Forman that could possibly bridge the gap between first level supervision to middle management.  EMS reports employee promotions and the service they are joining as a standing agenda item at the monthly staff meeting. We are also working on developing higher level WG positions for potential advancement within the service. Employee Engagement | Performance Management Employee Training & Career Development | Workplace Climate Work-Life Balance | Leadership Development | Rewards & Recognition

 Steriplex cleaner/ disinfectant has replaced the multiple disinfectants that were used in patient care areas of the facility. Steriplex is a silver based compound with EPA approval and efficacy data showing its effectiveness in the elimination of Clostridium Difficile ( c diff).  This disinfectant is being used in every patient care area and has dramatically decreased the number of Hospital acquired infections. As Steriplex is a cleaning agent it is the only chemical being used by the housekeeping staff in patient rooms during the cleaning/ disinfection two step process.

Water Electrolysis Systems has substituted the following cleaners: Neutral cleaner Glass Stainless steel General purpose Carpet Degreaser Stain remover Purchased (2)

Continued :

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In February 2015 the Room Maintenance Program was initiated to address all aspects of EOC within each patient room on a scheduled basis. One room is closed each day remains closed (6 to 8hrs until the following work and inspection are completed: EMS  Wall repair  Paint work  Floor care  Mattress inspection/ replacement  Deep cleaning/ initial disinfection  Second level disinfection (Steriplex Mist)  Furniture inspection/replacement FMS  Equipment preventative maintenance  Duct/Vent cleaning  Utility inspection/ repair

West Palm Beach VAMC is working to expand this program to include all outpatient clinics and procedure rooms. Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Task 4 Task 5 A checklist is maintained to ensure all work is completed and to track recurring issues. The schedule is shared with Nursing, Facilities Management and Environmental Management services. This ensures minimal disruption to patient flow and allows the program to remain consistent and successful. Each service involved are responsible to fill out their portion of the checklist that is posted in the room during the project. Once completed the checklist is maintained by EMS for tracking purposes.

The Paint Shop decreased turnaround time by 15% from FY14 to FY15.

Budget- EMS decreased Budget for FY15 with the exception of OT: Increase due to Room Maintenance Program.

EMS is seeing an 8% deduction in the purchase of paper products for FY15.