All Entries in the "Life Safety Code" Category

Check out the updated FAQ about computers-on-wheels

Earlier this week, The Joint Commission updated its FAQ about on computers-on-wheels in corridors.

The last bit in the FAQ about [more]

Digging into The Joint Commission’s FAQ about compressed gas cylinders

On its FAQ Web page, The Joint Commission mentions nonflammable compressed gas cylinders as a function of ensuring that end users can identify whether a cylinder is full, partially full, or empty.

Curious thing, though — the FAQ title is “Labeling oxygen and other compressed gas cylinders,” even though there is no specific labeling requirement.

The Joint Commission is absolutely mum on [more]

Symposium coverage: Talking life safety with your boss

As we get ready to close out the 3rd Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium, Brad Keyes of The Greeley Company took attendees through a whirlwind of life safety compliance tips.

One idea that seemed particularly relevant these days: [more]

Symposium coverage: Using near misses to your advantage

Marge McFarlane, owner of Superior Performance Consulting in Eau Claire, WI, is discussing environment of care education with attendees at the 3rd Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium in Las Vegas this morning.

A great opportunity for eduation is [more]

Hospital Safety Center Symposium now underway with Dean Samet

Hi folks, it’s Scott Wallask logging in from the 3rd Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium, which just opened this morning at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Dean Samet, director of regulatory compliance services for Smith Seckman Reid in Nashville, is at the podium discussing The Joint Commission’s [more]

Life safety sessions at the Hospital Safety Center Symposium are timely considering Joint Commission data

Hey, it’s Scott Wallask, and I almost can’t believe we’re in the single digits on our Hospital Safety Center countdown clock as we close in on next week’s 3rd Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium. I’ve been watching that countdown tick away since last year.

Given that The Joint Commission’s former EC.5.20 (which required compliance with the Life Safety Code and has since splintered into the life safety standards) was the top cited standard in hospitals in the first half of 2008, I have to think Brad Keyes’ two life safety sessions at the symposium will have the full attention of attendees.  I hope to see you at the symposium.

Hand gel use may bump up with attention on swine flu

Hi folks, it’s Scott Wallask again. When you start thinking of potential swine flu outbreaks, it seems natural to consider your inventories of personal protective equipment, ventilators, and medical supplies. However, one substance I didn’t really think too much about in this regard until I read it in an Associated Press story this morning was alcohol-based hand gel.

Hand gel is probably becoming a hot commodity in hospitals during [more]

Five reasons to attend the Hospital Safety Center Symposium

Hello, it’s Scott Wallask logging in. There’s still time to make plans to attend the 3rd Annual Hospital Safety Center Symposium May 14-15 in Las Vegas, and to nudge those of you on the fence, here are five great reasons to join us: [more]

Clean up cardboard boxes frequently to limit fire risks

As to the life safety implications of cardboard boxes, they are indeed made of a combustible material and we should do everything we can to minimize their presence, especially for extended periods of time.

Waste removal processes for cardboard should be effective. While there is no specific time measure, it’s generally demonstrable when the waste removal process is not working properly.

Be ready to defend use of fire blankets in the OR

Fire blanket use in ORs is a topic that crosses my path occasionally. This is yet another one of those instances in which there is just enough information and opinion out there to get you in trouble during surveys if you are using fire blankets in the operating theater.

The ECRI Institute has strongly discouraged the use of fire blankets in the OR. If you check out “A clinician’s guide to surgical fires: how they occur, how to prevent them, how to put them out” at National Guideline Clearinghouse, which cites ECRI in its bibliography, it indicates the following: [more]