Emergency power code revisions impact infrastructure changes

Codes affecting hospital emergency power systems continue to evolve as technology and performance data keep advancing, writes David L. Stymiest, PE, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE, in this month's issue of Infrastructure News.

He would know. As a senior consultant at Smith Seckman Reid Inc. Stymiest specializes in facilities engineering and regulatory compliance, whose expertise is frequently shared with readers of  Health Facilities Management magazine as in the April 2015 issue.

Stymiest advises health facilities professionals to be aware of all current and future code changes so they can stay current on the latest hospital infrastructure requirements. 

His report Preview to emergency power code revisions this month is especially timely. Most health care facilities' observers anticipate that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will adopt the 2012 editions of the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99) within the next year or so.

The accrediting organizations, such as the Joint Commission, also are expected to adopt those same two code editions as soon as CMS adopts them, according to Stymiest. When the adoption of updated codes finally happens, there will be substantial changes affecting emergency power system management in health care facilities, he explains in his report.

One key to understanding the scope of the changes is to remember that the codes reference other codes affecting emergency power systems. Stymiest navigates the maze to make it understandable.

Technology impacting hospital and health care facility operations and patient care continues to evolve at a rapid pace. This issue covers three areas that can improve patient care and facility efficiency, which in turn can help you do your job better.

Medical devices, for example, have become more sophisticated and specialized, and require a new level of requirements for compliance, safety and accuracy. Thankfully, help is available.

By using medical equipment historical data and conducting an equipment audit, health facilities professionals can analyze the techniques they are using in their management programs as well as improve efficiency and compliance while decreasing costs.

Read the report "How to optimize medical equipment maintenance" to learn how data and an equipment audit can help you improve your  management programs, improve efficiency and cut costs.

As the trend grows for health care systems to build or open small, off-site facilities so grows the demand for smaller HVAC equipment. For a rundown of some of the latest offerings in the market, read the report "HVAC systems for off-site care".

Keeping with the tech theme, the story "Keeping an eye on hospital operations" covers how context-aware systems based on real-time locating  technology can increase operational efficiency and reduce costs through improved asset management as well as patient tracking and throughput.

That's not all. There's more useful information you will find in our Commentary, Codes and Standards, and In the Field sections of this issue. Enjoy!