Utility Room Doors

A nearby hospital recently told us that they were advised to lock their clean and dirty utility rooms. We hadn’t heard this expectation before and can’t find it in the standards. Is it indeed a requirement to lock clean and dirty utility rooms?

Joint Commission standards do not specify nor mandate that these doors be locked. This could be considered a risk assessment issue per EC.1.10, EP 4, if there is a concern that the patient population served or visitors in these areas might accidentally harm themselves if they go into these rooms. The risk assessment is to be conducted by your organization, perhaps by the safety committee; it is then your organization’s responsibility to take whatever actions are deemed necessary, if any. Areas to consider might include pediatrics, geriatrics, and behavioral health care.