Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey, Inc.
Serving Healthcare Since 1949

***General Membership Meeting***

Minutes to the Meeting of Thursday, June 16, 2005

President Joseph Berlesky, CHFM called the meeting to order on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the Galloping Hill Inn, Union, New Jersey commencing at 6:15 p.m. Self-introductions were made. A moment of silence was observed for our troops. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION

SOCIAL SPONSOR

The social hour this evening was sponsored by National Air Filter of Carlstadt, NJ. Thank you to Mr. Stephen Shyka.

EDUCATIONAL SESSION TOPIC

Tonight we once again welcome one of our favorite presenters, Mr. Antony Monaco, Environmental Specialist, of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Our topic for this evening is the Microbiology of Legionella. Assisting Mr. Monaco is Mr. Louis Schoen of Environmental Hygiene Services. Mr. Schoen is a member of our group.

Legionella is a world-wide problem; it is found in soils and water. It is a serious but preventable disease. The Hospital Engineer must be vigilant to identify and root out design errors and mistakes in operation to assure that the pathogens do not overtake the potable water supply. For more information on this topic, please visit the following website: www.legionella.org.

The elderly population is most at risk. The legionella must be aspirated, i.e. brought into the lungs. For our facilities the hot water supply rule is that the water temperature shall not exceed 120° Fahrenheit. This gives that bug an optimal environment in which to thrive. Dead legs in the plumbing system area have the potential to cause significant problems for us because they harbor the legionella bacteria.

Showers are another area of concern. Screens in the shower head to aerate collect dirt and debris. The legionella bacteria hide and grow in this area. To help our patients and staff make sure you run the water for a minute or two to clear the showerhead.

Remember, Mr. Monaco urges you to partner with Infection Control and your ICP.

The presentation was extensive and we broke for dinner before Mr. Monaco and Mr. Schoen finished the presentation. There were a substantial number of questions fielded by our presenters. At the end of the presentation Mr. Monaco requested volunteers from our group to help on a legionella committee sponsored by NJ DOH & SS. If you would like to contribute your time and expertise, please call (609) 588-3124. Tony wants your expertise on Building Systems Management.

Mr. Monaco touched on some other topics of patient safety. They were in the Infection Control, Endoscopy, and Central Sterile Supply. Keep in mind that New Jersey State Standards and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) must be met as well as AIA Guidelines. Mr. Monaco suggests that when you plan these areas, send him the plans before you go to DCA so that he and his staff can review them to meet DOH and AAMI.

We wish to thank our presenters for all the extensive detail that they gave us on the Microbiology of Legionella and the other topics of patient safety. The Infection Control should be a partner with Engineering and MTCE for a safe and healthy facility. Please work with your ICP. Mr. Monaco gave us some guidelines that need to be met in new Endoscopy areas. These standards are for both ambulatory and acute care settings:

• Two sinks of sufficient size to clean scopes; one to wash and one to rinse
• A hand washing sink in the processing room

No longer will one room processing and storage be allowed, regardless of AIA standards.

Mr. Monaco is also calling for help to teach his staff about the steam utility. Specifically, he would like some building engineers and stationary engineers to work with his people on quality steam delivery to control sterile supply appliances. Help his people understand what it takes to have a high quality steam utility for the washers and sterilizers. Interested individuals should call (609) 588-31245 for details.

EDUCATION

The 42^nd Annual Conference and Technical Exhibition is July 10-13 in Anaheim, California. Check the ASHE website for details. There is no July meeting. August 12 is our Vendor Appreciation Picnic. The calendar will be re-titled Education and Events Calendar.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Robert Thompson reports that we are solvent. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted subject to auditing.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Minutes are available online at www.hfmsnj.org.

MEMBERSHIP

Pete Appelmann, Membership Chairman, reports we have one candidate to propose for a regular membership tonight. He is Jan M. Gaspareck, P.E., of Caretsky and Associates, LLP. There was a Motion to accept this new member which was approved by unanimous consent.

AD JOURNAL

Margaret Nesby reported that she and her committee are hard at work to put this together. Ads are slowly coming in. She encouraged all her fellow board members to help with finding vendors that want to place ads. Anyone wishing to help with the Ad Journal can call Margaret Nesby at (732) 247-1492, Tuesday through Friday. I am sure she will appreciate the help. You may be asked to help. Please do not be shy if you have ever wanted to help on a committee. Here is your chance. The work on this journal needs to be completed by October of 2005 and the finished product will be handed out at our November 2005 Holiday Party.

The Constitution and By-Laws published in the 2006 Ad Journal will be the documents of 2005. Our schedule for changing both documents does not conclude until after the journal closing date.

ADVOCACY

Robert Roop, P.E., reported that he is engaged with the new HVAC Contractor licensing bill.

VENDOR LIASON

Friday, August 12, 2005, is our day at the races at Monmouth Park Racetrack. We have reserved space at the Grandstand Picnic Area. Monmouth Park is at Oceanport, New Jersey. The cost is $42.00 per person. Attendance is limited to persons over 21 years of age. It is a rain or shine event. There will be no trade show or booth set up. It will be just food, fun and a chance to network. Mary Padgett is awaiting payment for reservations. Kindly send them to her at Diversified Fixture, 1930 Swarthmore Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey, 08701.

This is our last meeting before the Vendor Appreciation Picnic. Please support our vendor members, their products and services and come out and enjoy the day.

GOLF OUTING

This event was sold out! This was a huge success and enjoyed by all. Next year has been booked. The date is June 6, 2006, so save the date! A round of applause to Roger Ennis for another job well done!

WEBSITE

Last month we asked the membership to contribute “content”. Some material has come in but not nearly enough. Please send in policies, procedures, forms, the results of inspections by DOH, DCA, JCAHO, CAP and all the other organizations that have an interest in what we do. We do not want your letterhead or any other form of ID on the submission. It is the information we are seeking.

Share with us your questions, job openings and any interesting topics.

PUBLIC RELATIONS - EOC

George Thomas, FASHE, CHFM, said all is well in the public relations arena.

CODES AND STANDARDS

There was no official report from this Standing Committee this evening.

NEWSLETTER

Roger Shults is the new Editor-In-Chief of the Blueline, our newsletter. He needs articles of interest. Please submit your information to:

Mr. Roger Shults
Energy-Option Inc.
Tel.: (732) 512-9100 EXT. 203
Fax.: (732) 512-1500
E-mail: rshults@energy-options.com

SAFETY

James Corueil did a show and tell. While reviewing the automatic fire sprinkler system in the linen chute with his co-workers, they looked in at the top most area of the sprinkler in the shaft and found 6 deflated Mylar balloons wrapped around the topmost sprinkler head. This is a good item to check to be prepared for EC5.40.

LEVELS OF AFFILIATION

Oscar Gonzalez reports that he has not heard of our submittal being reviewed or accepted. The secretary is responsible for the Levels of Affiliation Report. That is an issue of great importance right now. The President and President-Elect are engaged to find a resolution to this problem.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Frank Keller reports that our effort to gain the required approval for the ramp we want to build has come to a dead end. The approvals will not be granted. Our other project helping Mrs. Berkeyheiser is on hold. It looks like September is a good target. Robert Roop, P.E., will advise. The next Bridges run is August 19, 2005 in New York City.

DOH & JCAHO

There was no new information reported.

OLD BUSINESS

No old business to report.

NEW BUSINESS

No new business to report.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

James Corueil is working with Joe Collins of the Delaware Valley Group to be the first group to go on an Engineering and Medical Tour of the Battleship NJ in Camden. The tour will happen in the spring of 2006. Details and information about this tour will be made available in the fall/winter of 2005. The Battleship NJ has not yes set an opening date for the tour.

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:00 P.M.

HMFSNJ ATTENDANCE LIST
GENERAL MEETING OF JUNE 16, 2005

William D. Anderson, FASHE, CHFM, RETIRED
Peter H. Appelmann, Sr., Asst. Director, Facilities Management, Holy Name Hospital
Victor Arencibia, RA, Principal, Victor A. Arencibia Architects
Joseph A. Berlesky, CHFM, Director, Facility Operations, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Gary S. Carter, FACHE, President & CEO, New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Hospital Assoc.
Ed Cichewicz, Sales, ECI Sales
Richard D. Ciullo, Area Manager, Ashland Specialty Chemical Co., Inc./Drew Industrial Div.
James Corueil, Skilled Maintenance Supervisor, Saint Joseph's Hospital Medical Center
Anthony C. Denike, BSME, MSEE, P.E., Senior Associate, Caretsky & Associates, LLP
Michael DePadova, MHA, CHFM, Group Mgr, Physical Plant, University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
John DiGirolomo, CHFM, Dir. Facilities, Plant Operations & Construction, Englewood Hospital & Med. Ctr
Rodger W. Ennis, Senior Vice President, Deerpath Construction Corporation
Robert Ferone, Sales Engineer, Unimed Communications
Thomas H. Freund, Project Manager, Buist Incorporated
Louis A. Garlatti Jr., President/Treasurer, Albert Garlatti Construction Co., Inc.
Oscar Gonzalez, CHFM, Director, Plant Services, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital @ Rahway
Antonio C. Gorospe, Jr., Manager of Maintenance, Trinitas Hospital
Stan Gregorowicz, President, S.G. Mechanical Corporation
Frank Keller, President, Carpet Etcetera
Bruce Lindstrom, Electronics Accesss Control Consultant, Ingersoll-Rand Company
Fred Minick, Salesman, Laurab Inc.
Robert E. Morrison, Marketing Manager, Servpro
John F. Nartowicz, Sr Project Manager, Hospital Support Services, University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Tim Neher, Accounts Executive, Honeywell ACS
Margaret Nesby, Sales Manager, Livingston Hardware
Robert W. Neumann, Engineering Manager, Saint Peter's University Hospital
Mary M. Padgett, V.P. of Medical Sales, Diversified Fixture
Michael Perdoni, Director, Safety and Operations, Union Hospital
David R. Pospisil, C.E.M., Owner-Direct Sales Manager, Trane - New Jersey
Robert N. Roop, PE, President, Criterium-Lockatong Engineers
William, F. Savino, Senior Accounts Manager, Nalco Co.
Peter Schmidt, Accounts Manager, Medigas Firestop Solutions
Louis M. Schoen, District Account Manager, Environmental Hygiene Services
Henry K. Schuurman, V. P. Facillities Management, Christian Health Care Center
Stephan B. Shyka, Sales Engineer, National Air Filter
George L. Thomas, FASHE, CHFM, Director, Plant & Engineering, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Robert K. Thompson, Supervisor, Facility Operations, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Dominick Valenzano, Engineering Manager, Trinitas Hospital
Brian C. Vick, Manager of Engineering, Trinitas Hospital
Edo Volaric, Director, Engineering, The Valley Hospital
Michael W. Volk, Sales, Bergen Industrial Supply Co.

7/13/2005