Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey, Inc.

Serving Healthcare Since 1949

 

 

*** General Membership Meeting***

 

Minutes to the Meeting of

October 19, 2006

 

            President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, called the meeting to order on Thursday, October 19, 2006, at the Galloping Hill Inn, Union, New Jersey, commencing at 6:09 p.m. The Sergeant- At-Arms, Mike DePedova lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Self-introductions were made by all in attendance.

 

 

SPONSOR

 

            The sponsors for this evening’s event are Follet Ice and LaPolla Roofing.

 

EDUCATIONAL SESSION TOPIC

 

           The educational session was presented by Mr. David Uhaze, R.A. of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Mr. Uhaze has been a guest speaker at our October meeting for many years. His topic tonight will be an overview of the major changes in the AIA Facilities Guidelines Institutes Book, "Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Healthcare Facilities". There was a Power Point Presentation with a question and answer session following.

 

DINNER BREAK AT 7:30 P.M.

 

President John DiGirolomo thanked David Uhaze and the meeting sponsors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

John DiGirolomo; President introduced Harry Segnor to report the information that was gathered in the survey of the HFMSNJ members.

 

Harry Segner III thanked everyone for their candid responses. Harry indicated that 67 members in total participated in the survey. The break-down of the member responses are as follows:

 

            28 Regular Members

            16 Professional Members

            16 Professional Associate Members

            1 Retired Member

 

Harry Segner provided a summation of the survey results. The data which was gathered reflected that the membership thinks the organization is being run in the correct way. Some the suggestions that will be taken into consideration are:

 

            The format and length of the meeting.

            Recognition by a plaque for corporations and members for contributions.

            Ability to present questions or an idea in writing prior to the meeting.

            The presentation CHFM practice questions each month.

            Educational – regulators or policy makers were the most favored guest speakers.

            Hospital case studies or lessons learned.

            Motivational speakers and /or time management skills.

            Members want a field trip rather than a social event for the August meeting.

 

John DiGirolomo thanked Harry for his efforts in conducting the survey.

 

   

PRESIDENT-ELECT’S REPORT

 

Ben DiFranco, CHFM had no report at this time.

 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Bill Anderson; CHFM, SASHE reported that the HFMSNJ is solvent at this time.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADVOCACY

 

Robert Roop reported on the Fire Alarm System Testing advocacy letter which was sent in June to the NJ DOHSS. The advocacy letter requested the DOHSS to consider revising their regulations on system testing to those of NFPA 72, National Alarm Code. To date we have not had a response.

 

To help stir a response, a form letter will be drafted by Robert Roop and placed on the HFMSNJ web sight for anyone who wishes to down load it and forward it to the state. This will allow for a greater number of advocacy letters to be received by the DOHSS.

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

Peter Appelmann reported that there are no new members for consideration at this time.

 

 

EAB

 

 Jim Corueil indicated that the Advisory Board is still grappling with the Fire Code change requirements.

 

Jim also indicated that Governor Corzine is forming a Commission on Rationalizing Healthcare Resources. The members of the commission have not yet been chosen.

 

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

 

Frank Keller announced that the next Bridges run will be December 1^st to NYC. The society will participate in the Toys for Tots program, so bring unwrapped toys to the Holiday Party.             

 

  

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAW CHANGES

 

Joseph Berlesky presented changes to the Constitution & Bylaws of the organization. Please refer to the web sight for these changes.

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTION NOMINATIONS

 

The nominations for a two year term are as follows:

 

President: John DiGirolomo; CHFM, SASHE

 

President Elect: Ben DiFranco; CHFM

 

Secretary: Ed Fay

 

Treasurer: Bill Anderson; CHFM, SASHE

 

 

There was a call for nominations from the floor. The nominations from the floor were:

 

President: Frank J DelGaudio

 

President Elect: Joseph A. Berlesky; CHFM

 

No other nominations were made.

 

At this point, Bill Anderson moved to close the open nominations. Bill Anderson also suggested that the balloting during next months elections should be in a closed format.

 

 

DOH UPDATES

 

Ed Orvoritch of Valley Hospital indicated that the Inspector from the DOH was fair in his assessment of the facility. Ed indicated that the inspector focused on stairwells.

 

Ed Fay of Bergen Regional Medical Center indicated that the DOH inspector focused on sanitation in patient rooms and patient belongings. The inspector also went into recodes that were in open offices. Ed also indicated that the inspector did not examine the kitchen.

It was also brought forth that inspectors are closely monitoring hand washing techniques of staff members and are issuing citation if the process is not performed for 15 seconds or more.

 

Mike DePadova asked if there is a time specified for alcohol sanitation of hands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVENTS

 

The annual Holiday Party will be held on December 8^th 2006 and will feature The Liverpool Beat. Please look for the flyers or visit the web site @www.hfmsnj.org

 

           

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

John DiGirolomo; CHFM; SASHE indicated that the Electronic SOC requirements will be extended to July 1, 2007. (Part 4 DFI deficiencies)

 

 

JCAHO UPDATES

 

Joe Berlesky; CHFM, asked if anyone has new information pertaining to preventing adverse effects due emergency power, if so to provide him with the information.

                                                                                                                                    

John DiGirolomo; CHFM, SASHE suggested that any such information should be posted on the HFMSNJ web site. John also suggested that Engineering Managers should educate the hospital management staff on Emergency Power supplies in their respective facilities. Such information that should be communicated includes the location of the emergency power supply generator and what areas of the hospital are covered by the emergency power supply.

 

Tony Sturla – asked if there is a supplier of temporary generators that can be contracted with in the case of a failed emergency power supply generator.

 

Bill Anderson; CHFM, FASHE suggested that you call the state police to locate a generator in such an emergency.        

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

ASHE

 

Joe Rawson; Region II Representative – ASHE wants you to share operational data with the national data base to help other Engineering Managers through-out the organization. Joe indicated neither your name nor your facility need to be posted with the information.

 

Joe Rawson congratulated John DiGirolomo for his election to the position of Region II Representative as of January 2007.

 

 

 

 

GOOD OF THE ORDER

 

Joe Rawson; Region II Representative said that Joe Collins has resigned from his position due to health reasons.

 

John DiGirolomo indicated that a Medical Center in lower Westchester County, NY is looking for a Director.

 

John Schliewenz indicated that the SCHRINERS will be having a dinner dance for $20 / person. Please contact John Schliewenz at Holy Name Hospital by November 11^th.

 

Frank DelGuadio indicated that on December 15, 2006, Essex County will open its new Mental Health Facility. It is the first mental health facility to open in NJ in over 100 years.

 

           

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:54 P.M.