M A R C H 2 0 1 7 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 5 7
M
edicare surveyors are cracking down on building safety.
They've been enforcing the 2012 editions of the National Fire
Protection Association's (NFPA) Health Care Facilities Code
and Life Safety Code since last November. The codes are
intended to ensure facilities have the systems and equipment
in place to protect patients and staff in the event of a fire, power failure or other
unforeseen emergency. CMS could withhold payments from out-of-code facili-
ties and, in the most severe of cases, even threaten to shut down noncompliant
centers. Financial penalties are concerning, but your main motivation should be
the safety of your staff and patients. Here are 10 ways to ensure CMS surveyors
see nothing worth noting during their visit to your facility.
Navigate the
New Life Safety Codes
Tips to ensure your construction
project complies with CMS's detailed requirements.
Sandy Berreth, RN, BS, MS, CASC | Santa Barbara, Calif.
• CLOSE INSPECTION CMS surveyors will be inspecting facili-
ties to ensure emergency preparedness protocols are current.
