FaciliNet system to enhance Facilities and Maintenance functions

When nurses want to review patients’ test results, they check the computer. When it’s warm in an operating room, the staff adjusts a thermostat and additional chilled water cools the room. To sterilize surgical instruments, Central Sterile Processing staff press a few buttons on machines that release steam into the sterilizer.

“The staff involved in patient care don’t have to think about where the electricity, chilled water or steam comes from – or any of the other basic utilities they need to do their jobs – and that’s the way it should be,” said Stephen Carbery, vice president, Facilities Design, Construction and Real Estate. “We are working to improve our maintenance and work-order systems so they have that same feeling and reliability.”

This fall, Corporate Facilities is scheduled to launch its new online portal, called FaciliNet. The portal will organize many of the behind-the-scenes processes that make patient care possible at all five Yale New Haven hospitals and hundreds of other locations.

“Currently, each delivery network uses a different system to receive, respond to and track Facilities’ projects and maintenance requests,” Carbery explained. “FaciliNet will bring all of that information into one specific database and enhance the efficiency of staff and employees throughout the system. Our staff will have more information at their fingertips, out in the field, allowing them to work smarter.”

FaciliNet will be designed to:

• Make it easier for clinical and other staff to request repairs, projects and space
• Provide real-time information on current requests, as well as email updates on repair status
• Be user-friendly and accessible to all staff members via the intranet
• Improve regulatory readiness with an updated “clean and safe rounds” feature

Planning for FaciliNet began over a year and a half ago with input from Nursing, Corporate Supply Chain, ITS, Internal Consulting Group, Finance and other departments throughout the health system.

FaciliNet is one component of a large, digital transformation initiative that will integrate Facilities functions – from maintenance requests and project cost information to space management and real estate. Watch for more information on this exciting project.