Checklist

ASHE offers guidance on relocatable power taps

www.ashe.org/resources/asheinsider/2014/advocacy_140617.html#.U6B79KgqDr0

The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) reported in the June 17 edition of the ASHE Insider e-newsletter that it was working with accrediting organizations, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Fire Protection Association to develop clarity on the use of relocatable power taps in hospitals. Currently, adopted standards technically do not allow the use of relocatable power taps (often called RPTs or multistrip plugs) while more recent editions allow some flexibility. The issue grabbed attention earlier in the month when George Mills, director of engineering at the Joint Commission, told a gathering of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) that CMS is requiring that "RPTs are not to be used with medical equipment in patient care areas," according to a report on the AAMI's website.

Hospital Incident Command System updated

www.emsa.ca.gov/disaster_medical_services_division_hospital_incident_command_system_resources

The California Emergency Medical Services Authority has released an updated version of the Hospital Incident Command System guidebook to help hospitals manage threats, planned events or emergency incidents. Developed by a panel of experts with support from the American Hospital Association and American Society for Healthcare Engineering, the fifth edition of the guidebook includes planning and response guides and other tools.

AHA guide explores environmental sustainability options

www.hpoe.org/resources/hpoehretaha-guides/1621

A new guide from the American Hospital Association's (AHA's) Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence initiative helps hospital leaders to explore options and understand the process for harnessing the strategic power of environmental sustainability. Produced in collaboration with the AHA's American Society for Healthcare Engineering, "Environmental Sustainability in Hospitals: The Value of Efficiency" includes case studies and examples from hospitals and care systems that are benefiting from sustainability efforts.

ASHE calls on WMTS users to register their equipment

www.ashe.org/resources/asheinsider/2014/spotlight_140520.html#.U6CjKagqDr0

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is issuing an order that will subject unregistered Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) devices operating on TV Channel 37 (608-614 MHz) to harmful interference because FCC considers them to be unlicensed and not entitled to protection, according to the American Society for Healthcare Engineering's May 20 ASHE Insider e-newsletter. All hospitals using WMTS devices on TV Channel 37 must register with ASHE, the designated WMTS coordinator, or risk being affected.

SHEA issues updated guidance for preventing MRSA

www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/676534

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America recently released updated guidance for preventing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Developed in collaboration with the American Hospital Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and the Joint Commission, the guidance highlights practical recommendations to help hospitals implement and prioritize their MRSA prevention efforts. It was published in the July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.