The hospital has a plan for managing essential or critical utilities during an emergency or d...

(1)

The hospital’s plan for managing utilities describes in writing the utility systems that it considers as essential or critical to provide care, treatment, and services. Note: Essential or critical utilities to consider may include systems for electrical distribution; emergency power; vertical and horizontal transport; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; plumbing and steam boilers; medical gas; medical/surgical vacuum; and network or communication systems.

(2)

The hospital’s plan for managing utilities describes in writing how it will continue to maintain essential or critical utility systems if one or more are impacted during an emergency or disaster incident.

(3)

The hospital’s plan for managing utilities describes in writing alternative means for providing essential or critical utilities, such as water supply, emergency power supply systems, fuel storage tanks, and emergency generators.

(4)

The hospital’s plan for managing utilities includes alternate sources for maintaining energy to the following: - Temperatures to protect patient health and safety and for the safe and sanitary storage of provisions - Emergency lighting - Fire detection, extinguishing, and alarm systems - Sewage and waste disposal Note: It is important for hospitals to consider alternative means for maintaining temperatures at a level that protects the health and safety of all persons within the facility. For example, when safe temperature levels cannot be maintained, the hospital considers partial or full evacuation or closure.