Joint Commission updates emergency management resources

Joint Commission updates emergency management resources
The Joint Commission has updated its emergency management resources for vulnerable populations. The topic library now features the Health & Human Services emPowerMap, which was designed to help health care organizations and systems reach patients who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment and devices and are at heightened risk during weather-related events impacting electrical service. It also features decontamination guidance of patients with special needs created by the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council.

Other general emergency management resources added to the Joint Commission’s topic library include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Disaster Preparedness Budget Model. The Excel-based tool is designed to help health care executives estimate resources needed across key departments (facilities, emergency department, information technology, etc.) and to calculate reserves required for disaster response and recovery.

Also this week:

FDA releases draft guidance for Unique Device Identification convenience kits
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance to define the purpose of “convenience kits” within the unique device identification system established in 2013. The FDA proposes defining “convenience kits” as two or more different medical devices packaged together for the convenience of the user where they are intended to remain packaged together and not processed or modified before the devices are used by an end user.

Study finds 50 percent of hospital mattresses contain resistant-bacteria
The American Journal of Infection Control published a cross-section study that evaluated presence of resistant-bacteria on 51 mattresses. A total of 26 mattresses had resistant-bacteria on the surfaces. The predominant bacterium was Acinetobacter baumannii (69.2 percent).

Fujifilm validates revised duodenoscope reprocessing instructions
Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A. Inc. has issued revised, validated manual processing instructions for the ED-530XT duodenoscope to replace those provided in the original device labeling. The FDA issued a safety communication last February notifying users that the duodenoscope’s complex design may imped effective reprocessing. The FDA has reviewed the revised instructions and advises users to train staff on the new instructions and implement them immediately.

CMS finalizes prior authorization process for certain medical equipment, supplies
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has established a final rule for prior authorization process for certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies. The rule defines unnecessary utilization and establishes other items.  

Perseus A500 Anesthesia Workstation recalled due to faulty power switch
Dräger is recalling the Perseus A500 anesthesia workstation because of a faulty power switch that may fail, causing the workstation to sound an alarm and shut down unexpectedly. If this occurs, ventilation may fail and the patient may not receive either anesthesia or enough oxygen.

CMS begins three-year infection control pilot project
With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has begun a pilot project to meet identified joint priorities related to assessing the continuum of infection prevention efforts between hospitals and nursing homes to prevent infection transmission in both settings.

PS500 battery power supply may cause ventilators to shut down unexpectedly
Dräger is recalling the PS500 battery power supply used in the Evita V500 and Babylog VN500 ventilators because of a software issue that causes shorter-than-expected battery run times. The Food and Drug Administration reports that the software issue with the power supply also prevents the appropriate alarm from sounding five minutes before the battery runs out of power and the device shuts down. If the ventilator shuts down, a patient may not receive necessary oxygen.