Generator Risk Assessments

An ASHE member recently posted on the ASHE Listserv asking if anyone knew of a generator risk assessment.

We responded to the Listerv:   

1. "Log into ASHE's website and go to  
 http://www.ashe.org/resources/management_monographs/mg2009stymiest.html  

2. "Managing Hospital Emergency Power Systems - Testing, Operation, Maintenance and Power Failure Planning".  

3.  A PDF of this document is available for free to all ASHE members.  It can be downloaded from that URL.  

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

RISK + REWARD 

Assessing the need for electrical system shutdowns

By David L. Stymiest, P.E., CHFM, FASHE

Citing concerns for worker safety, tighter insurance requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforcement actions, most electrical contractors and electrical service companies now do their work in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

They are no longer willing to maintain or to modify "hot," or energized, electrical equipment. Consequently, increasing numbers of hospitals have been undertaking the field investigations and electrical system studies necessary for applying those ubiquitous arc flash labels on electrical equipment. What's more, new maintenance requirements have increased the urgency of this process.

Read the entire article at HFM Magazine

Limiting Access to Clinical Lab

What standard requires organizations to limit access to the clinical lab area to authorized personnel only?

Risk Assessment for Approved Appliances

I would like to put together a policy for “approved” appliances to allow in employee lounges / break rooms that is reasonable. We prohibit any open element device.  What is allowable?

Compliance News: Risk Assessments: Proactive Process for Managing EOC Safety Risks

By Dean Samet, CHSP

Performing a risk assessment is an accepted approach to identifying and minimizing safety hazards associated with the health care physical environment and services. 

Per The Joint Commission’s 2011 Hospital Accreditation Standards manual, standard EC.01.01.01: The hospital plans activities to minimize risks in the environment of care.                                                                                                                            

The Rationale for EC.01.01.01 provides the background and further explanatory information: “Risks are inherent in the environment because of the types of care provided and the equipment and materials that are necessary to provide that care. The best way to manage these risks is through a systematic approach that involves the proactive evaluation of the harm that could occur. By identifying one or more individuals to coordinate and manage risk assessment and reduction activities—and to intervene when conditions immediately threaten life and health—organizations can be more confident that they have minimized the potential for harm.

Planning for Power Failures

By David L. Stymiest, P.E., CHFM, FASHE (at ASHE 44th Annual Conference, July 2007)
  

Introduction
Without power healthcare facilities are extremely vulnerable, especially if it is for an extended period of  time. Every healthcare facility needs to have a plan in place and be prepared since there is rarely a warning before loss of power except in cases where a slow-moving hurricane or similar natural disaster is approaching.

The purpose of this paper is to offer recommendations and examples of effective power failure planning concepts, including gap analyses, emergency power risk assessments, commentary and recommendations on power failure vulnerability analyses, and other tools to improve readiness for power failures.

This paper also offers several dozen emergency management tracer-type questions on power failures to enable a healthcare organization to test its own readiness. These sample tracer-type questions address the issues discussed in this paper and in the following statement.
  
Read entire article here: Planning for Power Failures

Opening Day - Transitioning from construction to survey-ready operation

Opening Day

Transitioning from construction to survey-ready operation

This article first appeared in the May 2010 issue of HFM Magazine.

By David l. Stymiest, P.E., FASHE, CHFM

Construction project turnover time is hectic. Facility activation and move-in are usually foremost and it is often difficult to get all of the compliance work done on time. Lacking a solid process for transitioning from construction to operations and survey-ready compliance at occupancy can put a hospital at risk during an early survey.

Click here to go to article at the HFM Magazine website.