Safety

Tip of the week: Verify your fume hoods direct air outside

Hospital Safety Connection, April 14, 2010

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Under EC.02.05.01, The Joint Commission requires facilities to have a method of checking, specifying, installing, and maintaining fume hoods systems.

Your facility may have fume hoods in the laboratory, pharmacy, or any location where chemotherapy drugs are mixed; where technicians conduct open biological testing; and in areas such as radiation labs that use lead or gluteraldehyde.
 
A certified, licensed firm must certify the fume hoods upon installation to ensure that they vent directly to the exterior of the building, away from any air intakes. In addition, a cer­tified licensed firm must inspect and certify the hoods every six months.
 
If you use an outside contractor, it is up to you to make sure that they have the proper license and training to work on your hoods. Keep maintenance records on-site.
 
Editor’s note: This tip comes from HCPro’s newest compliance guide, Physical Environment Online: A Guide To The Joint Commission’s Safety Standards. This state-of-the-art resource is completed updated for 2010.



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