Safety + security = safe-curity
Let’s talk for a moment about what I like to call “safe-curity”--in other words, the combining of safety and security functions into EC.02.01.01 in the 2009 Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) standards.
The safety and security risk assessment processes (which includes appropriately managing the risk in the EC) have been folded into EP 3. This will continue to be the general duty clause section of the EC standards; anything surveyors see that they don’t like becomes fodder.
Folks are going to have to be very diligent in documenting the decision-making process when identifying risk strategies. For instance, there is a nonbinding ANSI standard that requires the testing of eyewash stations on a weekly basis; however, if any organization chooses to test at a lesser frequency, it must have a documented risk assessment supporting that decision, otherwise a citation can occur.
I can see similar risk exposures relative to under-sink storage, management of crash carts, handling IV solutions, and all that.
By the way, are you coming to our September 5 seminar in Boston, Environment of Care for 2009? We’d love to see you there.
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