Todd Wilkening, Health Facilities Management
Whether an environmental services (ES) professional is a seasoned manager or a newbie, he or she must consider many things when preparing a departmental budget.

Megan Headley, Facility Care
According to the International Facility Management Association, more than half of today’s facility managers (FMs) are expected to retire in the next five to 15 years, an event that will worsen a growing talent gap in facilities services.

Jamie Morgan, Health Facilities Management
Health care-associated infections are down, according to a national report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Linda Homan, RN, BSN, CIC, Health Facilities Management
Patient safety and prevention of health care-associated infections have always been and will continue to be driving forces in the health care environment.

Healthcare Facilities Today
Because March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, the National Service Alliance (NSA), a leading group purchasing organization for the professional cleaning industry, is releasing the following suggestions for contract cleaners and custodial workers to help them protect their vision.

Aaron E. Carroll, New York Times
A century ago, the top three causes of death were infectious diseases.

Susan Scutti, Medical Daily
One in every 25 patients develops an infection during a stay in a hospital and many of these hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds.

Marilyn Moritz, KSAT
At Southwest General Hospital, administrators now know if and when doctors, nurses and staff disinfect their hands.

Infection Control Today
According to this week’s FluView report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity remains elevated in the United States.

Karissa Thacker, Fast Company
One expert explains how authenticity is a composite trait, made up of four basic, interrelated elements.

Christine Comaford, Forbes
How do you need to grow as a leader?

AHE is gathering input from environmental services departments across the country to identify baseline staffing productivity standards. The results of this data gathering will be used in building staffing models and providing metrics for environmental services directors. You can be a key player in identifying and establishing these important staffing criteria for our industry.

Plan your education for 2016. Visit AHE’s brand-new 2016 ENGAGE site to learn more about educational courses, podcasts, webinars, and events.

The designation of AHE Fellow (FAHE) recognizes current AHE members for reaching the highest level of education and achievement in both the Association and in the environmental services field. Only presented to Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professionals (CHESPs), FAHE status is given to active members who have excelled in specific areas and have submitted an acceptable, original, unpublished paper on a current aspect of environmental services.

EXCHANGE 2016 will be held on September 25-28, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. This year, EXCHANGE attendees can look forward to:
Infection Prevention Certificate of Mastery Preconference Program for Environmental Services Leaders Preconference Workshop
CHEST Preconference Workshop
Micro Sessions
Healthcare Marketplace

If interested in contributing to EXPLORE by authoring a best-practices article, email Russell Underwood, EXPLORE editor, for more information. The magazine covers all aspects relevant to health care environmental services professionals.

The AHE awards and recognition program acknowledges and elevates professionals who have demonstrated the highest level of excellence and leadership. Award recipients are those who work towards advocating and educating themselves on best practices and standards, developing new leaders within a hospital or healthcare facility, and promoting the environmental services profession.
Applications Due June 17, 2016.

How environmental services, infection prevention, and health care laundry can enhance linen stewardship and awareness.
Chad Basham, MBA, CHESP, Nellie League, MSN, RN, NE-BC, and Lynn Moreau, BSN, RN, EXPLORE magazine

25 essential considerations for evaluating the health care laundry.
Gregory Gicewicz, EXPLORE magazine