Membership continues to increase as business relationships are developed and fostered through the KCAHE organization. In 2011, membership hit a record 285 members with 28% of the membership consisting of healthcare members and 25% of members being ASHE members as well. Registering for meetings was made much easier by conversion to 123 Signup, adding the feature of automated addition to Outlook calendars.

Organizational business documents will be posted on the website and a survey sent to the membership for voting. The final vote will be announced at the February membership meeting. The following documents with the noted changes from last year will be posted for voting:

1. 2012 Business Plan
1. Addition of an Executive Director
2. Added additional training opportunities (CHFM & CHC prep classes
3. Goal for one consistent meeting location
4. Sponsorship opportunities for meetings and CHFM & CHC Prep Classes
5. Goal of Platinum Chapter Affiliation for 2012
2. Constitution – No changes from last year
3. By Laws
1. Duties of the Past President include preparing the ASHE Annual Report and serving as ASHE’s Liaison
2. Duties of the Vendor Liaison
3. Treasurer’s term changed from two to four years
4. Change from three to two members on the program task force
4. 2012 Budget

Presenter Guidelines have been posted on the website and will be implemented for all future programs.

John DeWitt is in the process of preparing the ASHE Annual Report and application for Gold Chapter Affiliation status for 2011. It is exciting to be so close to achieving a Platinum Chapter Affiliation and to have the goals and plan to achieve this for 2012.

The KCAHE Annual Conference CEU certificates will continue to be available at the monthly meetings for those individuals that did not receive theirs at the conference.

Watch for an invitation to the KCAHE Linked In Group. This will be new this year and communications will be sent through Linked In as well as by email to members.

The KCAHE Board has voted and budgeted for an Executive Director position to assist in many facets of the administrative tasks for KCAHE. A position description will be posted on the website. It is anticipated that this position will take eight to ten hours per week and be a paid position. Interested individuals should email info@kcahe.org for more information.

The ASHE PDC is being held March 4 – 7 in Phoenix, Arizona. Early registration ends at 5 PM CST, February 3^rd. Your registration must be received by the early registration deadline in order for your name to be included in the attendee list.

Congratulations to the Liberty Hospital Cardiovascular OR and Boiler Plant project team for winning the ASHE Vista Award for this year! Having served in the past on the Vista Award selection committee, I have first-hand knowledge of the stringent criteria and fierce competition for this award. It is truly a tremendous accomplishment for these amazing team members that will be receiving this prestigious award at the ASHE PDC:

• Pulse Design Group
• Henderson Engineers
• JE Dunn Construction
• US Engineering
• Broadway Electric

Congratulations for receiving this difficult and very prestigious award!

Darren Harvey has worked tirelessly to deliver the new name badges for our meetings. Badges are arranged by badge number, in lieu of alphabetically, for ease of replacing badges and accommodating new members’ badges. Your badge number is on the back of your badge for those who forget your number.

Membership lapel pins are new this year to match the new KCAHE logo. Members will receive the new lapel pins attached to your name badge. Thanks to Jason Piper for his work on all of the new logo wear for the golf tournament as well as the new lapel pins.

The next meeting on February 14th at 11:00 AM at JE Dunn’s Headquarters at 1001 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri. Registration will be through the website on the Events tab on the Calendar. Eric Hall and Christine Massoud with Innovations 10.01 will present the program. Following is a synopsis of the program:

“How Technology is Helping to Improve Facility Management”
Today’s healthcare operators know the value of digital information. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has allowed Architects and Contractors to communicate a greater level of information. Throughout construction this sharing of information results in greater project transparency and collaboration, better cost forecasting, accelerated construction schedules, reduced construction contingencies as well as a higher quality buildings.

This discussion will cover how the information generated during the design and construction process can be used to allow healthcare facility operators to increase staff efficiency, increase equipment efficiency, and facilitate document management for the Joint Commission.  OEM data can now be accessed through desktops or mobile devices to allow maintenance staff to more efficiently perform on demand maintenance as well as build a robust preventative maintenance and inspection program.

We appreciate your support and attendance and look forward to seeing you there!

On behalf of KCAHE, thank you!                

Renée R. Jacobs

2011 – 2012 President

The plaques recognizing each participating chapter for their accomplishments will be presented during the Chapter Leadership Award Luncheon to be held Sunday, July 17, 2011, the day prior to the opening session of the 48th ASHE Annual Conference & Technical Exhibition in Seattle. As well, each chapter will be recognized on Monday, July 18 at 1:45 p.m. in front of all conference attendees.

Required Criteria for Gold Level:

1. Maintain between 25% dual membership (individuals must hold both active chapter and ASHE national membership).
2. Chapter President AND President-elect must maintain active ASHE membership. 
3.  Attendance at the annual Chapter Leadership Forum by at least one chapter officer.
4. Offer between 16-23 hours of annual educational programming. IMPORTANT: Calculate education hours only. Remember, exhibits, social events, board mtgs., lunch, etc., does not count toward total hours. (i.e., a two hour meeting that includes an hour of chapter business and an hour of education by a presenter will only count as 1 hour)
5. Submit name and contact information of your current chapter Advocacy liaison/committee chairman.
6. Distribute a minimum six (6) or more communications to chapter members/customers.
7. Submit your 2010 Emerging Regional Leader Award Application.
8. Maintain an active chapter website that links from the ASHE website to your chapter URL.
9. Include a Chapter Annual Report that includes the following:
   1. Annual Planning Objectives for 2010-2011
   2. Bylaws
   3. Operating Budget for 2010-2011
   4. Current Chapter Officers for 2010-2011

Recent news stories about the potential for a higher occurrence of Legionella spp. in electronic-eye faucets may be raising some concern among the infection preventionists and other clinical staff in your health care organization… (Click here to read the entire advisory)

JOIN ASHE
Some advisories are only viewable if you are a member of ASHE. Want to enjoy all the benefits of ASHE? Click here to join.

The first meeting is January 11, where the Board will discuss the upcoming year’s goals. Other special events include the annual golf outing in August, the Fall Extravaganza in October and the Holiday Social in December.

To view the full calendar and event sponsors, click here.

The new web site offers six main areas for healthcare professionals and vendors. These main areas are: About Us, Membership, Events, Resources, News and Contact.

The launch precedes the organization’s switch to a new event and membership registration tool. These changes are part of the KCAHE’s effort to streamline administrative activities as well as provide better service for its members.

• Plant Service Manager at St. Mary’s Medical Center
  Blue Springs, MO
• Stacey was recognized by the American Society of Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association for his efforts in acheiving a 10% reduction in energy usage. Stacey and the hospital were presented with a Certificate of Achievement. The recognition was presented as part of the ASHE Energy Efficiency Commitment initiative.

If you have news to share, let us know: info@kcahe.org