White Paper Details Infection Control Challenges Hospitals Must Address During Construction Projects

Needham, Massachusetts – November 18, 2008 - Hospitals and healthcare institutions are challenged to devise policies and procedures that allow construction projects to take place while maintaining Environment of Care (EC) standards. A free white paper that addresses these challenges is available for download at: www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.

The white paper, titled “Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction,” details the process required to establish hospital compliance with The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) while maintaining a high level of patient care services and critical institution functions.

The white paper will discuss the steps involved in ensuring infection control during hospital construction projects, including how to:

• Create a construction oversight panel
• Select which departments and personnel should be on the panel
• Incorporate Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) elements into construction documents
• Establish clear-cut project phases.

Authored by Dennis Tremblay, CFPS, a Senior Scientist at EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/), a Needham, Mass.-based environmental, health, safety, and engineering consulting firm, the white paper is based on the experiences of EH&E personnel while working with leading hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide.

This white paper reviews the applicable Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) standards and American Institute of Architects (AIA) guidelines, and describes a field-tested, successful solution for maintaining Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) documentation. The paper will be interesting and informative to all those responsible for maintaining environmental health and safety compliance in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

To download the free white paper, “Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction,” visit http://www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.

EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. The EH&E team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. EH&E’s new series of eH&E web compliance solutions (http://www.eheinc.com/ehe_web_solutions.htm) is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/services/public-relations/index.html

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EH&E Launches Interactive Discussion Forum for Healthcare Environment of Care Professionals

Needham, Mass. – June 20, 2008 – EH&E, an environmental and engineering consulting firm for the healthcare industry, has launched “EHEConnect” – an interactive discussion forum dedicated to Environment of Care (EC) professionals – at www.eheconnect.com.

“The forum will act as a central resource for the exchange of ideas and issues central to the mounting, and increasingly complex, responsibilities of those accountable for a healthcare organization’s Environment of Care,” said Kevin Coghlan, M.S., C.I.H, Director of EH&S Compliance & Strategic Support at EH&E. “Our goal is to create a virtual community where EC professionals and others involved in EC issues can login and network with their peers around the country.”

“EHEConnect offers an informal way for EC professionals to exchange ideas, experiences and their solutions to challenges in the EC as well as keep up with The Joint Commission accreditation requirements,” said Coghlan.

EH&E’s team of EC consultants monitor and participate in forum discussions, adding their own professional insights and expertise to the dialogue.

Current topics being discussed include: life safety code documentation; new hospital EtO sterilizer regulations take effect December 2008; OSHA recommendations regarding protection of hospital security personnel in emergences; personal protective equipment for pandemic influenza; extreme temperature policies, interpretation of governing standards for showers and eyewashes.

To learn more and to join EHEConnect, go to: http://www.eheinc.com/forum.htm

EH&E offers a host of customizable services to assist hospitals with a variety of needs including: working to help create a healthy and safe work environment, reducing occupational illness and injury, minimizing workers’ compensation claims, increasing worker morale and productivity, reducing liability, costly litigation and unfavorable publicity, and helping to avoid OSHA fines and other expensive penalties.

About EH&E
EH&E (www.eheinc.com) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients.

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White Paper Helps Hospitals Prepare Staff for Joint Commission Environment of Care Interview Sessions

NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS – June 10, 2008 – Preparing for The Joint Commission survey process within the Environment of Care (EC) is challenging because virtually all internal services used to support patient care, including all areas of the EC, may be audited. As a result, a healthcare institution must be prepared for the survey interview session to proceed in almost any direction and to involve any staff member. EH&E has found that practice interview sessions, if done properly, can dramatically improve the performance of hospital staff in actual Joint Commission surveys.

The white paper titled, “Using Practice Interview Sessions to Strengthen Your Survey Preparedness Within the Environment of Care,” provides an overview of the practice interview technique and discusses “best practices” for conducting practice interview sessions, including how to:

• Select survey topics that are most relevant to your institution.
• Determine the right composition of staff members.
• Create the proper ground rules.
• Design questions that get to the important issues quickly.

Authored by Nanette E. Moss, M.S., C.I.H., Associate Director of EH&S Compliance and Strategic Support at EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/), a Needham, Mass.-based environmental, health, safety, and engineering consulting firm, the white paper is based on the experiences of EH&E personnel working with leading healthcare institutions nationwide.

This white paper will be applicable to EH&S managers, facilities managers, Infection Control managers, pharmacy directors, and anyone responsible for maintaining Environment of Care compliance at a hospital or other type of Joint Commission accredited healthcare institution.

To download the free white paper, “Using Practice Interview Sessions to Strengthen Your Survey Preparedness Within the Environment of Care,” visit: http://www.eheinc.com/practicetracer.htm or call 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients.

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Needham, Mass. – March 25, 2008 - A free white paper is helping building owners avoid the complaints, business disruptions, and out-of-pocket costs that can result when they’re forced by the construction schedule to occupy new or renovated facilities prior to “system final completion.”

“There’s a disturbing trend in the construction industry towards final completion of building systems after occupancy,” says Mike Della Barba, Director of Commissioning Services at EH&E, a leading environmental engineering and consulting firm, and author of the white paper “Getting the Building You Paid For.” (On the Web at: www.eheinc.com/inchstonewhitepaper.htm).

“Tight construction schedules often result in owners occupying newly constructed buildings that don’t fully meet occupant needs in terms of heating, cooling, lighting, power or other systems. This often proves very costly to the owner in higher maintenance and energy costs and shortened equipment life,” added Della Barba.

The solution, however, is surprisingly simple, he said. By tracking key construction project deliverables – termed Inchstones, as opposed to milestones – building owners can often predict, and therefore prevent, possible schedule delays and the resulting performance shortfalls. Developed by EH&E after a detailed analysis of numerous construction projects, the Inchstones process is detailed in Della Barba’s white paper.

The 16-page white paper also details:

• The expectations and reality of project completion;
• The evolving definition of “completion;”
• The three stages of completion;
• The roles of the general contractor, commissioning engineer, and building owner;
• The impact of incompletion on building occupancy and performance; and
• Maximizing building value using the Inchstones process.

Download the white paper at: www.eheinc.com/inchstonewhitepaper.htm.

About EH&E
EH&E (www.eheinc.com) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. The EH&E team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry. The firm’s wealth of readily-accessible information is a powerful resource for its clients.

EH&E’s new Inchstone Project Monitoring solution (www.eheinc.com/inchstone.htm) is the latest example of the firm’s continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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White Paper Details Environmental Health & Safety Compliance Strategies for Laboratories

NEEDHAM, MASS. – February 28, 2008 – A free white paper that details three specific strategies to improve laboratory environmental health and safety (EH&S) compliance programs is now available for download at http://www.eheinc.com/labprogram.htm.

“Small and midsized companies and institutions with laboratories must manage complex environmental health and safety compliance programs, involving federal, state, and local regulations with limited resources,” said Jack McCarthy, President and co-founder of EH&E, a Needham, Mass.-based environmental services consulting firm.

In the white paper, titled “Three Proven Strategies for Upgrading Your Laboratory Environmental Health & Safety Program,” EH&E experts outline the strategies they have developed to maximize the effectiveness and the efficiency of these programs.

“Due to the complexity and ever-changing nature of research activities, laboratory EH&S programs can be extremely challenging to develop and maintain, yet are critical to the success of the company or institution they serve,” McCarthy said.

The white paper will demonstrate how laboratory managers, laboratory technicians, and EH&S directors can:

• Improve EH&S program organization and accessibility


• Expand the laboratory inspection program


• Take a blended approach to laboratory safety training

Download the free white paper, “Three Proven Strategies for Upgrading Your Laboratory Environmental Heath and Safety Program,” at http://www.eheinc.com/labprogram.htm.

Or, for more information contact EH&E directly on the web at: http://www.eheinc.com/ or by phone at: 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new series of eH&E web compliance solutions is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of clients.

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Technorati tags: Compliance, environmental, health, lab, laboratories, safety, white paper, whitepaper, EHS, EHS manager, Ennvironmental Health Safety

White Paper Details Infection Control Challenges Hospitals Must Address During Construction

Needham, Massachusetts – January 23, 2008 - Hospitals and healthcare institutions are challenged to devise policies and procedures that allow construction projects to take place while maintaining Environment of Care (EC) standards. A free white paper that addresses these challenges is available for download at: www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.

The white paper, titled “Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction,” details the process required to establish hospital compliance with The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) while maintaining a high level of patient care services and critical institution functions.

The white paper will discuss the steps involved in ensuring infection control during construction, including how to:

• Create a construction oversight panel
• Select which departments and personnel should be on the panel
• Incorporate Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) elements into construction documents
• Establish clear-cut project phases.

Authored by Dennis Tremblay, CFPS, a Senior Scientist at EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/), a Needham, Mass.-based environmental, health, safety, and engineering consulting firm, the white paper is based on the experiences of EH&E personnel while working with leading healthcare institutions nationwide.

This white paper reviews the applicable Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) standards and American Institute of Architects (AIA) guidelines, and describes a field-tested, successful solution for maintaining Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) documentation. The paper will be interesting and informative to all those responsible for maintaining environmental health and safety compliance in healthcare facilities.

To download the free white paper, “Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction,” visit http://www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.

EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new series of eH&E web compliance solutions (http://www.eheinc.com/ehe_web_solutions.htm) is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Free White Paper Helps Biotech Laboratories Maintain a High Level of Infection Control

Needham, Massachusetts – December 19, 2007 –A free white paper to help biotechnology technicians and environmental health and safety (EH&S) personnel minimize the risk of infection in the laboratory is available for download at: http://www.eheinc.com/biosafety.htm.

Exposure to infectious biological agents presents serious potential health hazards to staff during many routine cell and tissue culture techniques used in biotechnology and pharmaceutical laboratories. This along with the development of new products from cells and tissues can present health risks to laboratory technicians that handle bacteria, viruses, biological organisms, and the like.

“Remaining in compliance with National Institutes of Health (NIH) recombinant DNA guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s ‘Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories’ (BMBL) guidelines, and the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is very demanding given the changing R&D efforts seen in many companies,” said Jack McCarthy, President and co-founder of EH&E. “We’ve found the best approach to maintaining compliance and reducing risk is a periodic biosafety review.”

The white paper, titled “Biosafety Review Key to Infection Control” and authored by EH&E, a Needham, Mass.-based environmental engineering and consulting firm, outlines a crucial biosafety review process that has been proven to maintain safety for biotechnology, pharmaceutical and research laboratory professionals.

The paper discusses and provides implementation strategies for the laboratory guidelines from leading government organizations, including:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institutes of Health
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

To download the free whitepaper, “Biosafety Review Key to Infection Control,” visit http://www.eheinc.com/biosafety.htm or call 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new series of eH&E web compliance solutions is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Technorati tags: biotech, biosafety, biotechnology, compliance, safety, safety officer, infection control, laboratories, white paper, whitepaper, eh&e, Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, BMBL, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, recombinant DNA guidelines

EPA Focus on Hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste: White Paper Helps Hospitals Avoid Fines

NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS – December 5, 2007 – A new, free white paper, titled “Managing Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste in the Hospital,” is now available for download at: www.eheinc.com/hazpharmawaste.htm.

In recent months, federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) have begun inspecting and citing hospitals for improper disposal of pharmaceutical hazardous waste. Pharmaceuticals are sometimes overlooked as a source of hazardous waste in hospital pharmacies and patient care areas and may be improperly combined with biohazardous medical waste.

“The misclassification and improper disposal of pharmaceuticals can lead to the hospital being issued a significant citation or fine,” said Jack McCarthy, President and co-founder of EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com), a Newton, Mass.-based environmental engineering and consulting firm. “To avoid this, a comprehensive program must be in place and procedures adhered to by hospital personnel.”

The white paper outlines six essential components for developing an effective and compliant Hazardous Waste Drug Program, and provides insight into practical implementation strategies. The steps include:

1. Develop Working Group
2. Classify Formulary
3. Prepare Written Plan
4. Coordinate Implementation Logistics
5. Conduct Training
6. Monitor Process

This white paper will be applicable to those that work with and dispose of hazardous pharmaceuticals in hospitals, to environmental health & safety managers, and to compliance directors, medical staff, and pharmacy technicians.

To download the free white paper, “Managing Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste in the Hospital,” visit: www.eheinc.com/hazpharmawaste.htm or call 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new series of eH&E web compliance solutions is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Free White Paper Addresses Challenges of New FDA Regulations Awaiting Combo Product Manufacturers

AGAWAM, MASS. – December 3, 2007 – A new, free white paper, addressing the challenges of new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations awaiting combination products manufacturers, is now available for download at www.microtestlabs.com/combinationpaper.

While combination products are experiencing dramatic growth, the convergence of drug/biologics and devices brings a host of regulatory challenges. Manufacturers must ensure their products meet cGMP practices as well as pass muster with the FDA, ISO, and USP.

Steven Richter, Ph.D., Microtest President & Chief Scientific Officer, addresses the critical issues associated with this complex process, including defining the FDA’s regulatory framework, reviewing developments in FDA thinking, and identifying future considerations in developing effective quality assurance systems.

“The combination products market – medical devices embedded with pharmaceutical or biologics components –is rapidly moving forward with a new direction and emphasis regarding product safety and FDA requirements,” said Richter, who is author of the announced white paper, “Combination Products: Navigating Two FDA Quality Systems.”

Navigant consulting, estimating the combination products market at $5.9 billion in 2004, predicts a nearly $9.5 billion market in 2009. In 2005, the FDA received 275 combo product submissions, and an estimated 30% of new products under development today are combo products.

“For manufacturers, the convergence of devices and drugs or biologics also brings a host of new FDA testing guidelines, practices, and regulations unique to the development and production of combination products,” he said.

The paper’s contents include: Defining the Convergence, FDA Responsibility, QC Drug Release Criteria, Biologics, New Developments in FDA Thinking, and Future Considerations.

Download the free white paper at: www.microtestlabs.com/combinationpaper. For more information visit Microtest on the Web at www.microtestlabs.com, or call toll-free: 1-800-631-1680.

About Microtest
Microtest is a leader in testing services and contract manufacturing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology industries. Based in Agawam, Massachusetts, USA, the company's expertise and flexible processes enhance product safety and security, accelerate time to market, and minimize supply chain disruption. For more information, visit www.microtestlabs.com or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free 1-800-631-1680.

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Hidden Costs Plague Owners Occupying Newly Constructed Buildings; New Program Can Help Avoid Major Issues

Newton, Mass. – November 28, 2007 – Despite the certificate of occupancy, substantial hidden costs from unfinished systems often plague building owners after moving into newly constructed buildings. A new program introduced by EH&E draws on the firm’s experience as a leading commissioning firm to help.

Even though a newly constructed building may be certified for occupancy, a variety of hidden issues and costs can occur when mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are not completed prior to the move-in date. As a solution, EH&E's new "Inchstone™ Construction Monitoring Program” tracks key project deliverables (the inchstones) to maintain the project schedule and ensure systems completion at the time of occupancy.

“Tracking these deliverables during the project provides a finer degree of scheduling oversight for the building owner and gives the project team notification of potential delays early in the project when corrections can be more easily – and inexpensively – implemented,” said Mike Della Barba, Director of Commissioning Services at EH&E (www.eheinc.com/inchstone), a Newton, Mass. based environmental engineering and consulting firm.

Building owners and facility managers utilize the program to track and organize critical project deliverables that, if let slip, could result in a maintenance or budgeting crisis after occupancy. The program combines a customized service along with a web-based interface management application that provides building owners with instant access to real time information on selected critical project deliverables.

The associated service consists of an initial review of the contract document language to ensure all critical project deliverables are included. Then a dedicated account manager provides all record-keeping services required to maintain site currency during the project, including the creation of electronic documents from printed material as required.

Owners and managers can utilize the password protected, web-based site for information on the construction project schedule and status at all times. The customized application enables instant access to all aspects of the project, including status reports, progress graphs and charts, as well as upcoming deadlines for all identified contractual deliverables.

“Through this system we provide owners with information they can use to more accurately predict project delays early in the project and take action - avoiding the additional maintenance costs, higher energy costs, and shortened equipment life that incomplete systems can cause,” said Della Barba.

Inchstone Heads Off Unexpected Downtime
According to EH&E’s engineers, the most common problems experienced by owners and facility managers upon occupancy are equipment start-up deficiencies and balancing delays, either of which can result in many thousands of dollars in unexpected maintenance costs and hundreds of hours of downtime or employee inconvenience.

”The root cause of almost all of these problems is incomplete systems testing prior to occupancy, because while all systems need to be functional to get the certificate of occupancy, verified design performance (full value purchased!) is not a requirement. Our system tracks key indicators that we’ve shown can accurately predict when this situation is likely to occur, giving the construction team time to react,” added Della Barba.

For more information on how building owners can obtain maximum value from their new building, download the new white paper, “Getting the Building You Paid For,” at: www.eheinc.com/inchstonewhitepaper.htm.

To learn more about the Inchstone Construction Monitoring Program, visit http://www.eheinc.com/inchstonewhitepaper.htm or call toll free 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients.

Our new Inchstone Project Monitoring solution (www.eheinc.com/inchstone.htm) is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com

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White Paper Details How to Choose the Right EMS Provider for Medical Products Outsourcing

CRANSTON, R.I. – November 20, 2007 – A new, free white paper advises medical device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) on choosing the right electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider for medical products outsourcing. It’s available free to download at www.federalelec.com/medicalpaper .

Medical device OEMs must balance the need for consistent quality and conformance to product and regulatory requirements with the equally essential need to get new products to market quickly and efficiently. Partnering with a competent EMS provider can serve an OEM as a source for business, manufacturing and operational innovation and efficiency that can be leveraged for competitive advantage.

However, choosing the wrong supplier can result in significant cost, product quality, and customer retention issues, warned Ed Evangelista, vice president, Federal Electronics, and author of the new white paper, “Choosing the Right EMS Provider for Medical Products Outsourcing.”

“The key in the process of selecting the right EMS provider is determining who can provide a seamless and efficient extension of your operation while conforming to the critical requirements imposed by the FDA and other regulatory bodies,” Evangelista said.

In the white paper, Evangelista draws on more than 20 years of experience to advise medical product OEMs to successfully execute the supplier evaluation and selection process, and details such issues as:

• The three key process capabilities on which to evaluate suppliers
• Defining your outsourcing strategy
• Matching your business profile to the prospective vendor
• Requiring flexibility as a must-have for high-mix, low-volume products
• Finding a personality “fit”
• Understanding your new product introduction strategy
• Recognizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) as a key capability
• Buying according to total acquisition cost rather than price

“Selecting an EMS partner for medical devices is a strategic process. A successful long-term relationship will pay lasting dividends in lower costs, higher productivity, greater creativity, and increased velocity to market. But the stakes are high. Virtually every decision is a minefield. Don’t take anything for granted,” Evangelista said.

Download the free white paper, “Choosing the Right EMS Provider for Medical Products Outsourcing” at: www.federalelec.com/medicalpaper.

About Federal Electronics
Founded in 1948, Federal Electronics, Inc. is a leading electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider. Based in Cranston, Rhode Island, the company serves the needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and military contractors by providing comprehensive production solutions that lower cycle times, control and reduce costs, and create flexible supply chains that are responsive to volume variability. For more information, visit http://www.federalelec.com/.

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Free White Paper Details Hospital Strategies for Meeting Joint Commission Compliance Requirements in the Environment of Care

NEWTON, MASS. – November 14, 2007 – A free white paper is now available to help hospitals prepare for new Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) accreditation requirements and unannounced surveys at: http://www.eheinc.com/jcaho.htm.

Titled “Continuous Joint Commission Compliance: Responding to the 2006 Unannounced Survey Policy within the Environment of Care” and authored by EH&E, a Newton, Mass. based environmental engineering and consulting firm, the white paper reviews the common barriers to continuous compliance that EH&E staff encountered at several hospitals and the innovative solutions implemented to address them.

“Hospitals are well aware of the high level of activity on all fronts that precedes a scheduled Joint Commission audit. With the advent of unannounced surveys, activities such as facility inspections, document reviews, and educational programs now have to be repeated often,” said Jack McCarthy, President and co-founder of EH&E. “Healthcare organizations nationwide are trying to cope with implementing these resource-intensive preparations on an ongoing basis without potentially compromising patient care.”

Drawing on the direct experience of EH&E personnel managing the Environment of Care program at several large healthcare institutions, this white paper offers insight into common areas of vulnerability and offers practical ideas for cost-effective solutions. The paper will be interesting and informative to all those faced with meeting the latest challenge of unannounced surveys, including hospital administrators, safety officers, and laboratory personnel.

For more information on how to address continuous compliance requirements, download the free white paper at: http://www.eheinc.com/jcaho.htm or contact EH&E directly at 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for over 18 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new series of eH&E web compliance solutions is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Free White Paper: “Virus Testing for Biological Products: Partnering With a Contract Lab”

AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS – October 10, 2007 – Microtest has announced the availability of a free white paper titled: “Virus Testing for Biological Products: Partnering With a Contract Lab.”

In manufacturing biological products, there is risk of virus contamination at many levels, from raw materials to processing. This contamination risk means virus testing is required. A proper testing program is essential to ensure the biological product achieves the fastest time to market. By working with a qualified contract laboratory, the best testing strategy can be executed to assure product safety.

In this white paper, Merribeth Morin, Ph.D, Director of Virology at Microtest, reviews the potential sources of contamination, cell bank characterization (virus safety), virus concerns during manufacturing, and ways to effectively partner with a contract testing laboratory.

Download the free white paper, “Virus Testing for Biological Products: Partnering With a Contract Lab,” at: www.microtestlabs.com/biopaper.

Microtest offers a complete range of pharmaceutical and virology test services. These services can support full in-process and product release testing as well as product stability testing, raw material qualification and assay development/validation.

As a growing provider of fill/finish operations, Microtest has all the systems and procedures in place to fully support all the requirements of the FDA, EMEA and any drug-regulating body in the world. With a problem-solving approach, customer service focus, and technical expertise, Microtest has the ability to help pharmaceutical companies reduce costs and risk, support rapid regulatory approvals, and enjoy reliable, fast, turn-arounds.

For more information, contact Microtest on the Web at www.microtestlabs.com, or toll-free at: 1-800-631-1680. Download the free white paper, “Virus Testing for Biological Products: Partnering With a Contract Lab,” at: www.microtestlabs.com/biopaper.

About Microtest
Microtest is a leader in testing services and contract manufacturing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology industries. Based in Agawam, Massachusetts, USA, the company's expertise and flexible processes enhance product safety and security, accelerate time to market, and minimize supply chain disruption. For more information, visit http://www.microtestlabs.com/ or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free 1-800-631-1680.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc. (http://www.tizinc.com)

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Technorati tags: biological, contamination, contract laboratories, contract labs, Contract Manufacturer, pharmaceutical, test services, virology, virus testing, white paper, whitepaper

New White Paper Details Six Steps to Investigate and Prevent Laboratory Accidents

NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS – October 9, 2007 – A new, free white paper, titled “A ‘Six Step’ Process to Investigate and Prevent Laboratory Accidents,” is now available for download at: www.eheinc.com/labaccidents.htm.

Laboratories are potentially dangerous work environments, and often contain a wide variety of toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive compounds. Accident prevention is imperative for any proactive health and safety program and accidents themselves, while unfortunate, present an opportunity to improve the performance of the laboratory safety program.

This white paper details the six key components of an accident investigation and mitigation program that are necessary to provide improvements in the overall safety program and prevent future accidents. The steps the white paper discusses include:

• Notification and Response
• Site Investigation and Interviews
• Root Cause Analysis
• Report of Findings and Review
• Implement Corrective Measures
• Monitoring

The author, Kevin Coghlan, M.S., C.I.H., Director of EH&S, Compliance & Strategic Support at EH&E, a Newton, Mass. based environmental engineering and consulting firm, has over 18 years of experience in assessing, evaluating, characterizing, and solving environmental problems in laboratories.

This white paper will be applicable to all those that work in laboratories, including managers, technicians, laboratory safety directors, and environmental health and safety officers.

For more information, or to download the white paper, “A ‘Six Step’ Process to Investigate and Prevent Laboratory Accidents,” visit: www.eheinc.com/labaccidents.htm or call 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for over 18 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new series of eH&E web compliance solutions is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Technorati tags: safety officer, laboratories, white paper, whitepaper, eh&e, environmental health & safety, EH&S, labs, compliance support, EH&S manager, lab manager, environmental manager

New White Paper Details Strategy for Minimizing Performance Deficiencies in New Buildings

Newton, Mass. – September 19, 2007 - A free white paper detailing a new construction monitoring strategy to help building owners obtain maximum value from their new building is available for download at: www.eheinc.com/inchstonewhitepaper.htm.

The white paper, titled “Getting the Building You Paid For,” is based on an analysis of numerous construction projects, and offers the building owner an inexpensive way to track key construction project deliverables which if not completely implemented have been shown to directly or indirectly lead to schedule delays and performance shortfalls.

“We see a disturbing trend in the construction industry towards final completion of building systems after building occupancy, says Mike Della Barba, Director of Commissioning Services at EH&E (www.eheinc.com), a Newton, Mass. based environmental engineering and consulting firm.

“Tight construction schedules often result in the owner occupying a building that does not fully meet the needs of the occupants. This often proves very costly to the owner in higher maintenance costs, higher energy costs and shortened equipment life.”

The solution can be surprisingly simple. The white paper details a process developed by EH&E that tracks key contractual sub-tasks with corresponding deliverables (termed “Inchstones”).

Experience has shown that the absence of these deliverables can provide an early indication of project scheduling difficulties that will lead to incomplete building systems.

Download the free white paper at: www.eheinc.com/inchstonewhitepaper.htm.

About EH&E
EH&E (www.eheinc.com) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for over 19 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new Inchstone Project Monitoring solution (www.eheinc.com/inchstone.htm) is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., www.tizinc.com

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Technorati tags: EH&E, construction project, building owner,