ICORP GROUP · INSIGHTS
Facility Management and Safety in JCI 8: Connecting Environment, Building Systems and Emergency Readiness
Facility Management and Safety is the area where JCI 8th Edition indicates that there is an increased concentration and also connects with the Global Health Impact in infrastructure and service resilience. For hospitals, Facility does not use “repair when damaged” but a system that supports safety and continuity of patient care.
Start with Facility Risk Assessment
Hospitals should assess the risk according to the context of real buildings and services such as electric water systems, air conditioning systems, emergency medical gas systems, engineering equipment and specific risk areas. The evaluation should help arrange what is Critical System and what needs more intensive monitoring or backup.
Utilities to be connected with Continuity of Care
Electricity-level water-free air conditioning system is interrupted or utility key stops can affect Clinical Service immediately. So Downtime Plan needs to specify both response, communication and options for the affected service. Not only the steps of the department are included.
Preventive Maintenance Should Be From Risk
Good PM is not doing everything in the same cycle, but it should be considered the importance of equipment, history, damage, patient impact and manufacturer requirements. To provide resources in accordance with Criticality.
Fire Safety Need to Look both Prevention and Response
In addition to fire detection systems, firewalls and fireway routes, hospitals need to take into account staff that need to help the patient who may not move by themselves, including the risks between renovation or construction that may change the condition of the route and temporary fire barrier.
Construction Risk should be controlled while the hospital is also open service.
Construction and improvement work creates dust-risk, sound infection control, access, fire safety and utility interruption. Therefore, the impact should be assessed before the work begins. It is necessary to set temporary measures and track until the floor returns to normal condition.
Emergency Preparedness is to be tested in conjunction with Facility
The hospital’s emergency plan should be connected to the capacities of the building, such as the integration point, the communication system, backup power, water, access control and patient movement. Good scratch should show real limitations. Not just review the plan on the table.
What Dashboard for Managers Should See
- Critical Utility downtime and recurring failures
- PM completion of critical equipment
- Fire and life safety issues are open
- Construction/Renaissance Risk and Interim Controls
- Facility incidents impact patient care
- List of risks to be used or administrative decision.
ICORP includes both Healthcare Accreditation Consulting and Facility Maintenance & Support, which can help link standard views to Facility workshops, from Gap Assessment, Risk Review, PM Planning, Renovation Coordination to Improvement Roadmap.
Note: This article is an explanation of systemic concepts. It does not replace the engineering requirements, legal or JCI methodological guidelines.