When it comes to safety and security during emergency responses under EC.4.15 (which will become EM.02.02.05 in 2009), a Joint Commission official brought up an interesting point this week.

 

Element of performance 2 under EC.4.15 requires hospitals to coordinate activities with community security agencies (e.g., local police department, National Guard, etc.).

 

That provision should include discussions about police or soldier weapon possession and use in a facility during a disaster, said Jerry Gervais, associate director at The Joint Commission’s standards interpretation group. Gervais spoke during an audio conference this week presented by American Hospital Association Solutions and Live Process Disaster Readiness & Incident Command Solutions.

 

Surveyors may also ask what the hospital’s policy is for allowing security authorities access to the facility during an emergency response, Gervais said.