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Reopening your hospital: Flush water pipes, double-check maintenance

Healthcare Life Safety Compliance, August 27, 2020

This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to Healthcare Life Safety Compliance.

by A.J. Plunkett (aplunkett@decisionhealth.com)

As you reopen patient care areas for non-emergent care, be sure to flush water lines, check expiration dates on drugs and supplies, and ensure all equipment and spaces have been cleaned and disinfected according to manufacturers’ instructions and CDC guidelines.

The Trump administration began urging healthcare facilities in early June to resume elective surgeries, diagnostic tests, and other non-emergency care while encouraging patients to tend to healthcare needs they may have postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the White House also cautioned hospitals and other facilities to check with state and local authorities to ensure your area meets the “gating criteria” of fewer reported symptoms, fewer confirmed cases, and hospital capacity to handle potential new patients with COVID-19 along with non-emergent care.

“Non-emergent, non-COVID care (NCC) should be offered to patients, as clinically appropriate, in localities or facilities that have the resources to provide such care, as well as the ability to quickly respond to a surge in COVID-19 cases, if necessary,” according to the statement. “Decisions should be consistent with federal, state, and local orders, and CDC guidance and made in collaboration with state and local public health authorities.”

This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to Healthcare Life Safety Compliance.

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