As of September 26, 2014, the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have authorized categorical waivers for power strip use in patient care areas effective immediately. See Memorandum S&C: 14-46-LSC. CMS is waiving specific provisions of the 2000 edition of the LSC as it may, if rigidly applied, result in undue hardship of the Facility. The Memorandum cited specific requirements, when using this waiver, so as not to adversely affect the health and safety of the patient. These requirements include: • Patient bed locations in new health care facilities, or in existing facilities that undergo renovation or a change in occupancy, shall be provided with the minimum number of receptacles as required by section 6.3.2.2.6.2. • Power strips may be used in a patient care vicinity to power rack-, table-, pedestal-, or cart-mounted patient care-related electrical equipment assemblies, provided all of the following conditions are met, as required by section 10.2.3.6: o The receptacles are permanently attached to the equipment assembly. o The sum of the ampacity of all appliances connected to the receptacles shall not exceed 75 percent of the ampacity of the flexible cord supplying the receptacles. o The ampacity of the flexible cord is suitable in accordance with the current edition of NFPA 70, National Electric Code. The electrical and mechanical integrity of the assembly is regularly verified and documented through an ongoing maintenance program. o Means are employed to ensure that additional devices or nonmedical equipment cannot be connected to the multiple outlet extension cord after leakage currents have been verified as safe. • Power strips may not be used in a patient care vicinity to power non-patient care-related electrical equipment (e.g., personal electronics). • Power strips may be used outside of the patient care vicinity for both patient care-related electrical equipment & non-patient-care-related electrical equipment. • Power strips providing power to rack-, table-, pedestal-, or cart-mounted patient care-related electrical equipment assemblies are not required to be an integral component of manufacturer tested equipment. Power strips may be permanently attached to mounted equipment assemblies by personnel who are qualified to ensure compliance with section 10.2.3.6. • Resident rooms in long-term care or other residential care facilities that do not use line-operated patient-care-related electrical equipment are not subject to the more restrictive NFPA 99 requirements regarding the use of power strips in patient care areas/rooms. • Resident rooms using line-operated patient-care-related electrical equipment in the patient care vicinity must comply with the NFPA 99 power strip requirement and may elect to utilize this categorical waiver. • If power strips are used in any manner, precautions as required by the LSC and reference documents are required, including but not limited to: installing internal ground fault and over-current protection devices; preventing cords from becoming tripping hazards; connecting devices so that tension is not transmitted to joints or terminals; no “daisy chaining” power strips; using power strips that are adequate for the number and types of devices, and no overloading power strips with high load devices. In addition, the use of ground fault circuit interruption (GFCIs) may be required in locations near water sources to prevent electrocution. • Power strips providing power to patient care-related electrical equipment must be Special-purpose Relocatable Power Taps (SPRPT) listed as UL 1363A or UL 60601-1. • Power strips providing power to non- patient-care-related electrical equipment must be Relocatable Power Taps (RPT) listed as UL 1363. If your Facility is wishing to take advantage of this waiver you must conform to the requirements identified for this categorical waiver, and then formally elect to do so by documenting this decision. It is not necessary to apply specifically to CMS for the waiver or wait until cited by an AHJ; however, use of this waiver must be identified at the entrance conference for any survey assessing LSC compliance. Look for TJC to address this CMS categorical waiver in the next few months. As in the past, this should be in their official newsletter, The Joint Commission Perspectives. The article will most likely require the creation of a policy stipulating the requirements of use, as well as noting such use in the eSOC’s eBBI. For more specific information see CMS Memorandum S&C: 14-46-LSC or go to our website at PetersRice
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 19:28:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015