Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey, Inc.
Serving Healthcare Since 1949
*** General Membership Meeting***
Minutes to the Meeting of
January 18, 2007
President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, SASHE called the meeting to order on Thursday, January 18, 2007, at the Galloping Hill Inn, Union, New Jersey, commencing at 6:05 p.m. and lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Self-introductions were made by all in attendance.
SPONSOR
The sponsor for this evening’s meeting was Valcourt Building Services
EDUCATIONAL SESSION TOPIC
The educational session was presented by Mr. Thomas Battles the Senior Risk Engineer for Chubb Loss Control Services. The topic of discussion was “Steam Explosions in Health Care Facilities”. There was a Power Point Presentation with a question and answer session following.
President John DiGirolomo thanked Tom Battles and representatives of Valcourt Building Services.
DINNER BREAK .
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
John DiGirolomo announced that the 2007 ad journal has been published and that everyone should have received a copy.
John also covered the details of the 2006 wrap up / 2007 planning meeting and listed the committee members.
á Ad Journal - Oscar Gonzalez
á Advocacy - Robert Roop
á Audit - Joseph Berlesky
á EAB - James Corueil
á Golf - Roger Ennis
á News Letter - John Schliewenz
á Registrar - Oscar Gonzalez
á Social Justice - Frank Keller
á Website - Oscar Gonzalez
John also announced a new committee appointment; NFPA which will be chaired by Brian Akers
PRESIDENT-ELECT’S REPORT
Ben DiFranco announced that the new educational season will consist primarily of regulatory topics including FBI, OSHA and New Jersey Department of Health representatives.
Ben also announced that although speakers have been lined up for 2008 sponsorship was still needed for meetings
TREASURER’S REPORT
Bill Anderson, CHFM, FASHE presented the following synapses of the 2006 budget:
Beginning Balance: $66,588.48
Disbursements: $11,645.00
Deposits: $11,071.00
Ending Balance: $67,162.59
The organization is solvent.
ADVOCACY
Robert Roop, PE reported on the Fire Alarm System Testing advocacy letters to consider revising New Jersey’s regulations on system testing to equal those of NFPA 72, National Alarm Code. To date we have not had a response from the NJ DOHSS Commissioner.
Robert urged the group to provide him with suggestions for additional advocacy topics.
NEWSLETTER
John DiGirolomo asked the group to please reach out to John Schliewenz with any pertinent information that could be included in HFMSNJ news letter
MEMBERSHIP
Peter Appelmann, reported on eight new members for consideration. They are
á James Clark, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ
á John Nesbitt, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ
á Robert Payton, Bergen Regional Medical Center, Paramus, NJ
á Chris Hariegel, Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth, NJ
á Patrick Naused, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy, NJ
á Manuel O. Mederos, Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ
á Louis Linn, Bergen Regional Medical Center, Paramus, NJ
á Anthony Steene, Hawk Solutions Group, Poughkeepsie, NY
Peter also explained how the "fast track" system operates in regards to new membership
WEBSITE
Oscar Gonzalez reminded the group that when considering the 2007 ad journal to contact him about an ad on the HFMSNJ website as well.
Oscar also informed the group that they would be receiving a poll about potentially creating both a "paper" version of the ad journal as well as an electronic version.
EAB
Jim Corueil gave the group a hand out covering the regulations of the air quality permitting program from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and informed everyone that some facilities have been fined for not meeting those requirements.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Frank Keller announced that the next Bridges run will be February 16th to NYC. Frank also requested ideas for several "small - scale" projects for which the membership can participate.
DOH UPDATES
Jim Corueil announced that the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services inspected Saint Joseph’s Wayne Hospital due to the installation of a new dialyses unit.
Joe Glaski reminded the group that all Long Term Care facilities in New Jersey have been given 3 years to become fully sprinkled.
NFPA UPDATES
Brian Akers informed the group that the 2007 LSC includes changes to the mounting techniques during installation of smoke and duct detectors, although this version of the code has not been adopted.
JOINT COMMISSION UPDATES
John DiGirolomo announced that during a recent surveyor conference the JCAHO has officially changed its name to The Joint Commission, and there have been major changes to the credentialing part of the survey.
John also informed the group about a proposed change to the Emergency Management section of the survey that would include a 3 hour tracer to the emergency operations plan under EC 4.20 and the revision of all Emergency Management Standards and Elements of Performance.
Other changes include a Life Safety Surveyor to "ALL" hospitals regardless of size starting in 2008 and a two day Life Safety Survey for all facilities greater than 750k sq.ft.
OLD BUSINESS
No “Old Business” was discussed.
NEW BUSINESS
John DiGirolomo, President explained the criteria used to select facility manager of the year and announced to the group that following a unanimous decision vote, James Corueil was the 2006 recipient. John presented Jim with a plaque and watch.
ASHE
President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, SASHE indicated that he and Bill Anderson will be attending Emergency Preparedness Committee Meetings in New Mexico.
Ben DiFranco reminded the members that there are applications to ASHE at every meeting and urged all members to enroll in ASHE.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
John DiGirolomo thanked the group for their support in his bid and election for ASHE Region 2 representative, but due to a change that has John working in a New York facility he is ineligible to hold that office.
ASHE has appointed Joe Rosin to this position on a one year interim basis and an election would be held after that.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:26 P.M.