CMS Grants Waivers for ASC’S and Hospitals in 2012 Update

If you manage ASC’s or hospitals in the Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley areas, then get ready for some changes in CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) provisions. Recently, the CMS has allowed an update to the Life Safety Code, reverting from 2000 guidelines to the newer 2012 update.

CMS eases up on medical construction standards

Though the CMS is yet to confirm a complete switch to the 2012 Life Safety Code for hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other medical facilities, they have recently provided new waivers which will help hospitals slowly ease into the new changes in CMS standards while also maintaining a healthy safe environment for patients, medical staff, and visitors. ASHE Director of Codes and Standards Chad Beebe affirms that there are “signs that CMS is still making progress toward adoption of a newer addition,” but that the move will be a long complicated process that may take years. In the meantime, the CMS is allowing waivers for hospitals having difficulty adjusting to the 2012 edition of NFPA 101: Life Safety Code and other safety requirements, including rulings on sprinkler and power systems in all buildings that provide medical care.

What changes can hospitals expect?

Before beginning construction or renovation of your medical facility, take note of the following changes that will affect your plans for designing operating rooms, patient areas, and other hospital areas. Following is a list of some changes to take effect with the 2012 Life Safety Code waivers, as summarized by the ASHE (American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association):

• Changes in medical construction requirements for suites in hospitals
• Emergency medical equipment and hospital fixtures permitted in exit corridors without “in use” constraints
• Relative humidity for operating rooms switches to at least 20%
• Medical gas master alarm, centralized computer system allowance
• Openings in exit areas for medical equipment, depending on fire safety compliance
• Emergency generator requirement reduced to one hour and thirty minutes
• Permits renovation including doors with single or multiple locks for safety, security and patient requirements in certain situations
• Semi-annual testing for sprinkler system waterflow alarm devices
• Recycling containers dedicated to clean waste and patient records, increase to ninety-six gallon size maximum
• Permits construction of direct-vent gas fireplaces in certain medical spaces

Conclusion

If you’re using a certified medical contractor for your Beverly Hills or Thousand Oaks medical office, then you’re in good hands. He should be up to date on all the most recent changes to hospital and ASC safety codes, and can help you in the transition. In order to take advantage of the new relaxed 2012 CMS codes, hospitals must complete a report documenting their decision to employ the 2012 safety standards, including proof of compliance to the new waivers, and present it to the Life Safety Code committee.   Please tell us… If you’re in the middle of construction or remodeling of a medical building, is your contractor aware of these new CMS changes to the Life Safety Code? Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below. Share with your friends! If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook. Like this? Read more: Medicare Compliance Auditing in the Los Angeles Area Los Angeles Hospital Construction Costs Delay Completion The 4 Best Southern California Hospitals to Work In Image credit