Our everyday lives are surrounded by technology and equipment. The personal equipment we use daily include devices that we regularly have to check before using; and have to replace when they are not working (razors, hair dryers, coffee makers, refrigerators, microwaves, etc). If we have equipment failures in our daily lives it might be an inconvenience, but it is something that can be dealt with easily. If we have technology failures in our daily lives (cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc) most o…

Accidents happen, but mistakes become frequent when workers get used to routine tasks. The problem is not the mistakes themselves, but instances when staff oversight results in serious error. Marge McFarlane, PhD., MT (ASCP), CHSP, CHFM, HEM, MEP, CHEP and principal of Superior Perforation in Wisconsin attributes these errors to a “conscious acceptance of obvious and familiar risk”. According to her, people tend to forget about the hazards associated with routine tasks because they have…

Question 1

What type of fire-stopping is used in the facility?

The joint commission is interested knowing specific brands of firestopping being used in a facility. This gives them a better understating of what to expect on the tour, and also establishes the type of conversations regarding training. All healthcare personnel should have training on firestopping and barrier management. The Joint Commission will now preempt their tour plans by inquiring about the type of fire-stopping before…

Power outages happen for many reasons including inclement weather, power surges, human error, and most terrifyingly during natural disasters. Every year, flooding, hurricanes, and severe traumatic events require healthcare facilities to operate under emergency situations and often with limited resources or operating on backup power sources. Unfortunately, not ever…

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has just announced new requirements for national emergency preparedness, effective November 15th, 2016. After review, the DHHS determined that most healthcare facilities are not adequately prepared for the complexities that emerge with real life emergencies. This final rule will require all Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) providers to plan for a variety of disasters and modify their current emergency preparedness…

Floors are probably not something that you spend a lot of time pondering. They serve a purpose, provide solid ground and support, and are often overlooked as a functioning component of a facility. However, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is poised to finalize their Slip, Trips, & Falls Rules this August. We’ve been preparing for these changes, since the announcement of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on May 18th, 2016 and here’s where we stand.

Not all fl…