Compliance News: CMS Corridor Obstructions Stance Revised

By Dean Samet, CHSP


In a May 14, 2010 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services memorandum, Ref: S&C-10-18-LSC, CMS announced changes to previous policies regarding the use of corridor wall-mounted computer touch screens in healthcare facilities.

CMS is now allowing certain wall-mounted technologies and other items to be wall-mounted in corridors as long as they don’t project out more than six inches from the corridor wall or conflict with other sections of the National Fire Protection Association’s Life Safety Code®.

The projections shall:

1) Not project out more than 6 inches

2) Not exceed a length of 36 inches

3) Be separated by at least 48 inches from other projections

4) Be installed at least 40 inches or greater above the floor

5) Be installed in corridors that are at least 6 feet in width

Note: The above dimensions are consistent with the 2009 edition of the NFPA 101® Life Safety Code®, sections 18/19.2.3.4.

Other items of similar dimensions may be mounted to corridor walls such as [non-combustible] artwork and wreaths, sharps disposal units, infection control supply cabinets, and lighting devices. Policies and procedures should be developed and enforced before allowing placement of any such items. CMS goes on to explain that the placement of items associated with the use of these wall-mounted pieces of equipment in corridors such as chairs, tables, carts, cabinets, etc., which would reduce the corridor width below the allowable limits, would not be permitted when not in use. This includes keyboard trays and equipment doors that project more than six inches into the corridor when in use. Such items shall be closed or retracted when the equipment is not in use or is unattended for any period of time. An item is considered “not in use” if it is left unattended or is not moved for more than 30 minutes. Items such as linen carts, medication carts, and janitorial equipment would not be included in these exclusions.

However, infection control supply carts/cabinets outside of a specific room are allowed in the corridor while precautions are in effect or in force for that specific room. Crash carts are also allowed in the corridors for quick access in an emergency.

The above information is current CMS policy as of May 14, 2010.