Every once in a while…
…I make good on the promise of brevity. Let’s see if this is one of those weeks.
As we continue to wind down from the various and sundry modifications that were made to the physical environment to provide appropriate care for patients (and appropriate levels of safety for staff) during the pandemic, it might be a good point to ascertain whether any of the persisting conditions/practices are representative of Life Safety Code® (LSC) or other compliance issues. I am very hopeful that folks are going to be able to “take some time off” this summer (working on the thought that last year, not so much), so my thought is to add (at least) one last go-round before the solstice is upon us—that way, if any regulatory f(r)iends show up over the next few months, you will have a defensible position for any lingering programmatic elements that could raise questions.
To aid in that endeavor, you might consider this article from Healthcare Facilities Management that provides some guidance on just that. There remains the whole notion that we have 60 days after the suspension of the Public Health Emergency (which was renewed in April) to “return to normal,” but it also can tie into whether your organization is still responding to the emergency. If your incident command structure has been discontinued, you may want to really start preparing for bridging any compliance gaps that may still be in place. As you know (by now), I tend to be a proponent for the risk assessment process and any time the future of compliance is uncertain, risk assessments are our best strategy for demonstrating compliance.
One other item for this week. I would encourage you to check out the capabilities of Smart911; while this may not be entirely work-related as a suggestion, from a peace of mind standpoint, ensuring that emergency responders have access to as much pertinent information (and you can decide what is, and what is not, pertinent—hmmm, could be another risk assessment). The more information responders have at their disposal (including your whereabouts if you’re notifying them on a mobile phone), there more quickly and effectively they can respond to the emergency. With all the issues of privacy, etc., there are certain entities that would be more effective in their response, and I think Smart911 makes a lot of sense to be included in trusted sources (hopefully that is not a fleeting thought). Check ’em out and see for yourself. If you’re not comfortable with the process, I get it, but reach out to your local emergency folks to see how they feel about it before you elect not to participate.
Just about a week left of spring 2021. I hope this finds you well and perhaps just a wee bit less anxious about your existence. Until next time…
About the Author: Steve MacArthur is a safety consultant with The Greeley Company in Danvers, Mass. He brings more than 30 years of healthcare management and consulting experience to his work with hospitals, physician offices, and ambulatory care facilities across the country. He is the author of HCPro's Hospital Safety Director's Handbook and is contributing editor for Healthcare Safety Leader. Contact Steve at stevemacsafetyspace@gmail.com.