LS and EC requirements found to be most challenging
Life Safety (LS) and Environment of Care (EC) requirements were among the most challenging Joint Commission standards for hospitals and critical access hospitals in 2012, according to a report in the March 13 issue of Joint Commission Online. Among the top requirements that were identified as "not compliant" for hospitals were: maintaining the integrity of the means of egress; building and fire protection features designed and maintained to minimize the effects of fire, smoke and heat; and maintaining fire safety equipment and fire safety building features. Though not part of LS or EC, another frequent issue of interest to health facilities professionals was hospitals' not reducing the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices and supplies. Critical access hospital problems included: maintaining fire safety equipment and fire safety building features; building and fire protection features designed and maintained to minimize the effects of fire, smoke and heat; managing risks associated with utility systems; maintaining the integrity of the means of egress; and inspecting, testing and maintaining emergency power systems.
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