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Tip of the week: Get wheeled computers out of the way in emergencies

Healthcare Security Weekly, May 21, 2007

Battery-powered, portable computers-some hospitals are now in the habit of calling them workstations on wheels (WOW)-help facilitate electronic patient charting.

 

However, the new technology raises safety issues. The key is to train everybody on how to relocate WOWs during an emergency, says Michael Crowley, PE, senior vice president and engineering manager for Houston hospital consultant Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc.

 

The Joint Commission's life safety specialists will look for obstructions in corridors, so even when WOWs are in the hall and legitimately in use, it's important to have a plan to move the equipment in case a fire alarm goes off. To learn more, go to www.hcpro.com/ppv-70214.html. The cost is $10. Briefings on Hospital Safety subscribers received this story with their subscriptions.

 

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