Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Special Outpatient Surgery Edition - Surgical Construction - March 2017

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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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.

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