/ en Thu, 08 May 2025 03:07:16 -0500 Tue, 05 Nov 24 14:40:59 -0600 /sustainability/pro-bono-energy-star Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:40:59 -0600 Advocacy /data-request-concealed-fire-sprinklers <p>The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) is actively gathering data on concealed fire sprinklers to enhance safety protocols. Concealed sprinklers, defined in NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and referenced in NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, are designed with a cover plate to aesthetically blend into the ceiling, making them less obtrusive. However, this design necessitates periodic inspection to ensure functionality and prevent premature activation. In 2022, the NFPA 25 committee proposed a five-year inspection interval to align with other maintenance activities requiring similar equipment, optimizing resource utilization. </p><p>This initiative underscores the commitment to continuous improvement in safety measures, acknowledging the balance between thorough inspection processes and practical considerations of cost and effort for facility owners and inspectors. The technical committee's decision, despite some opposition, indicates a consensus on the importance of these inspections while also recognizing the need for a pragmatic approach to their implementation.</p><p>陳栠勛圖requests that you submit your data by <span><strong>April 15, 2025,</strong></span> so that we can help develop a practical method for ensuring concealed fire sprinklers remain functional. Please <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/Concealed_Sprinkler_Inspection_Form_July_2024.xlsx">download the Excel document</a> linked below, follow the steps on the Instructions tab and record your data in the Form tab. Once you have completed your inspection and recorded relevant data, please upload your form to this <a href="https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d200746cc1ce401ab3eb8150e54909eb">Data Portal</a>.</p><p>If you have any questions about the project, please contact <a href="mailto:jim.peterkin@tlc-eng.com">Jim Peterkin</a>.</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary btn-small" href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/Concealed_Sprinkler_Inspection_Form_July_2024.xlsx" target="_blank" title="Data Portal" roll="button">Excel Document</a> <a class="btn btn-primary btn-small" href="https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d200746cc1ce401ab3eb8150e54909eb" target="_blank" title="Data Portal" roll="button">Data Portal</a></p> Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:22:06 -0500 Advocacy /ashrae-ashe-guideline-43 Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:04:06 -0600 Advocacy /ashrae-and-ashe-seeking-comments-new-hvac-operations-guideline <p>ASHRAE and the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) have issued a 45-day public review period from Oct. 6 to Nov. 20, 2023, on the new Guideline 43, Operations Guideline for Ventilation of Health Care Facilities.</p> <p>The guideline, developed by ASHRAE in collaboration with ASHE, gives recommendations for the operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that provide environmental control in health care facilities for the safety and comfort of facility occupants. Guideline 43 addresses health care HVAC systems as a comprehensive whole while also establishing a consistent standard for the maintenance and operation of these systems.</p> <p>The scope of the new guideline is intended to apply to patient care areas, resident care areas and related support areas within health care facilities, and provides recommendations on acceptable temperature and humidity ranges, ventilation rates, operational parameters and preventive maintenance.</p> <p>By introducing Guideline 43, ASHRAE and 陳栠勛圖seek to render obsolete the long-standing practice of using HVAC design standards as operational practice standards and resolve discrepancies between what is allowable by design standards and what constitutes nominal HVAC performance. It encourages the optimization of HVAC systems and the resources they use through the application of a maintenance program in conjunction with the appropriate application of alternative equipment maintenance and reliability-centered maintenance practices.</p> <p>Because this guideline will establish recommendations on operational parameters, tasks and rates, 陳栠勛圖members are strongly encouraged to review and provide vital input to ensure that these recommendations are valid. </p> <p>To review and make comments on the new guideline, access the <a href="https://osr.ashrae.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">ASHRAE Public Review webpage</a>. The comment period will be open from Oct. 6 to Nov. 20, 2023.</p> Wed, 04 Oct 2023 09:08:04 -0500 Advocacy /fgi-seeking-comments-proposed-changes-guidelines-design-and-construction <h1>FGI Seeking Opinions on Proposals to Update the <em>Guidelines for Design and Construction</em></h1> <p>The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) has issued a call for public opinions on proposals that have been submitted to update the 2022 edition of the FGI <em>Guidelines</em> documents.</p> <p>These opinions will be visible to members of the Health Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC) when they vote on the proposals beginning in October. Because the FGI <em>Guidelines</em> has been adopted in 43 of the 50 states in some form, it is essential that members of the health care facility management field weigh in on the changes being considered before the Sept. 30 deadline. </p> <p>FGI publishes three documents relevant to health care facilities: </p> <ul> <li><em>Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals</em></li> <li><em>Guidelines for Design and Construction of Outpatient Facilities</em></li> <li><em>Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities </em></li> </ul> <p>If adopted at the state or local jurisdictional level, the <em>Guidelines</em> must be followed during new construction and major renovation projects.  </p> <p>FGI revises the <em>Guidelines</em> documents every four years. The most recent edition was published in 2022. The 2026 edition revision cycle began with a public proposal period that was open from February to June 2023 and resulted in a total of 1,538 proposed updates to the documents.</p> <p>There were 632 proposals for the Hospital <em>Guidelines</em>, 429 proposals for the Outpatient <em>Guidelines</em>, and 477 proposals for the Residential <em>Guidelines.</em> A full list of the proposals is available for review by the public at <a href="https://www.fgiguidelines.net/" target="_blank">www.fgiguidelines.net</a>. After creating a login and password, website visitors can filter the proposals by document, chapter, section or search term to find the proposed changes most relevant to their work and expertise and submit their opinions on the proposals.</p> <p>A first draft of the 2026 <em>Guidelines</em> documents will be published in late spring 2024. From July to August 2024, the public will have an opportunity to make comments on the updates proposed for the 2026 edition. Once the comment period closes, the public will have more time to submit opinions before the HGRC votes on the public comments. The 2026 edition of the FGI <em>Guidelines</em> is scheduled to be published in April 2026.</p> <p><strong>Major 2026 Hospital Proposals</strong></p> <p>Due to the vast number of total proposals, 陳栠勛圖Advocacy staff reviewed those for the <em>Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals</em> and have highlighted below the proposals (listed by topic and ID number) most likely to impact 陳栠勛圖members: </p> <ul> <li>Phasing during renovations: ID-85, ID-149, ID-201</li> <li>Disaster planning: ID-699, ID-700</li> <li>Service spaces in restricted and semi-restricted areas: ID-1267</li> <li>Nitrous oxide systems: ID-1053</li> <li>Airborne infection isolation room anterooms: ID-1114</li> <li>Specialty infection control exam rooms: ID-1596</li> <li>Multiple-diagnosis patient care units: ID-1699</li> <li>Redefining procedure, operating, and imaging room definitions:  <ul> <li>Procedure rooms: ID-1233, ID-1265</li> <li>Operating rooms: ID-754, ID-1266, ID-752, ID-1157</li> <li>Imaging rooms: ID-1156, ID-1160, ID-1723, ID-1724</li> <li>Exam/treatment, procedure, and operating room classification: ID-1150, ID-90, ID-1154, ID-1441, ID-1682 </li> </ul> </li> <li>Rural emergency hospitals: ID-1177, ID-1444, ID-1525</li> </ul> <p>Please review these proposals and submit your opinions to FGI to ensure your views are heard.</p> Tue, 05 Sep 2023 10:01:48 -0500 Advocacy <p>With changes spurred from the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues and safety concerns, 陳栠勛圖and 陳栠勛圖 (AHA) are collecting data on the use of various sterilization methods for medical devices and equipment. </p> <p>This information will inform our answers to policy questions about disposable and reusable devices and equipment. Individual information will not be shared, but we may share the aggregate results of this survey.</p> <p>陳栠勛圖encourages our members to take this brief survey and distribute it to their colleagues within your organization. <br /> <br /> <a class="btn btn-primary btn-small" href="https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/c76e860a29d44d33a8d728a1a718a252" roll="button" target="_blank" title="Take Survey">Take Survey</a></p> Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:19:45 -0600 Advocacy /cms-revises-sc-letters-regarding-staff-covid-19-vaccinations <p>In a series of revised S&C Letters ���<a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/revised-guidance-interim-final-rule-medicare-and-medicaid-programs-omnibus-covid-19-health-care" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">S&C: QSO-22-07-ALL Revised 4/05/22</a>, <a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/revised-guidance-interim-final-rule-medicare-and-medicaid-programs-omnibus-covid-19-health-care-0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">S&C: QSO-22-09-ALL Revised 4/05/22</a> and <a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/revised-guidance-interim-final-rule-medicare-and-medicaid-programs-omnibus-covid-19-health-care-1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">S&C: QSO-22-11-ALL Revised 4/05/22 </a>��� the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that surveying for staff vaccination requirements will not be required on Life Safety Code 簧 (LSC)-only complaints, or LSC-only follow-up surveys. In the revised memorandum, CMS also determined that surveyors may modify the staff vaccination compliance review if a provider/supplier was determined to be in substantial compliance with the staff vaccination requirements within the previous six weeks. </p> Fri, 15 Apr 2022 14:26:03 -0500 Advocacy /cms-announces-end-dates-termination-specified-waivers-established-covid-19-public-health-emergency <p paraeid="{34bbb653-5499-4cb9-a4a0-e98ab6bf4191}{197}" paraid="1501722786">In <a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/update-covid-19-emergency-declaration-blanket-waivers-specific-providers" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">S&C Letter QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC,</a> the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the termination date of specific Public Health Emergency (PHE) waivers for skilled nursing facilities/nursing facilities, inpatient hospices, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and end-stage renal disease facilities. Waiver terminations are categorized into two groups based on the date of publication of the memorandum, with the first group being 30 days and the second group 60 days from the date of issuance. </p> <p paraeid="{34bbb653-5499-4cb9-a4a0-e98ab6bf4191}{208}" paraid="1549655666">Within the second group, several physical environment waivers are being terminated such as inspection, testing and maintenance of equipment and systems based on NFPA 101簧, Life Safety Code 簧 and NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code. For the specific waiver terminations and which facility types the terminations apply to, please see the linked S&C letter above. </p> <p paraeid="{34bbb653-5499-4cb9-a4a0-e98ab6bf4191}{234}" paraid="889011286">The termination of these blanket waivers will have no effect on other blanket waivers that remain in place, such as those for hospitals and critical access hospitals; and CMS has yet to issue information regarding these waivers. </p> Fri, 15 Apr 2022 13:32:20 -0500 Advocacy /national-phaseout-3g-has-begun <p>陳栠勛圖has become aware that, effective on February 22, 2022, AT&T shut down its 3G services. T-Mobile (Sprint 3G backbone) will be deactivated on June 20, 2022 and T-Mobile (remaining 3G backbone) will be deactivated by July 1, 2022. Verizon began the retirement of its 3G network late last year and plans to completely retire the system by the end of 2022. </p> <p><strong>For facilities that use these service provider cellular communicators within their fire alarm system, this phaseout may result in the fire alarm system no longer communicating properly, causing a trouble indication within the fire alarm panel.</strong> </p> <p>All facilities should verify if their fire alarm systems use a cellular communicator. If their fire alarm systems do use a cellular communicator, facilities should take the following steps:  </p> <ol> <li>Check if there is a ���comm loss,��� ���communication failure,��� or other similar language on the fire alarm panel.  </li> <li>If there is, then three steps you should take are:   <ul> <li>Establish a fire watch to assure that communication of any alarms from the fire alarm system to the first responders is performed appropriately.  </li> <li>Work with your local authorities to approve and make them aware of your fire watch plan. </li> <li>Establish a plan to replace the current communicator. </li> </ul> </li> <li>If there isn���t a comm loss, verify that the current communicator will continue to work after the other services are deactivated. </li> </ol> <p>Please note:  </p> <ul> <li>Coordination with the fire alarm service provider and communication service provider will be necessary throughout this process.  </li> <li> Facilities should verify other cellular communication devices on other systems such as building automation systems and verify that these will not be impacted by the deactivation of 3G services. </li> </ul> Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:54:32 -0600 Advocacy /fda-seeks-comments-draft-guidance-remanufacturing-medical-devices-september-22-2021 <p> </p> <p>Per the FDA, the draft guidance is intended to help clarify whether activities performed on devices are likely "remanufacturing." Such clarification is intended to help provide consistency and better understanding of applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. The draft guidance also provides recommendations for information that should be included in labeling to help assure the continued quality, safety and effectiveness of devices that are intended to be serviced over their useful life.</p> <p>陳栠勛圖strongly recommends organizations review the draft guidance and submit comments as this guidance does touch on the "right to repair" through its definitions and guidance. The guidance and online submission can be accessed on the <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fda.gov%2Fregulatory-information%2Fsearch-fda-guidance-documents%2Fremanufacturing-medical-devices%3Futm_source%3DFDALinkedin&data=04%7C01%7Crschulman%40aha.org%7Cf0d353d2ad62468094e808d952cdc0a5%7Cb9119340beb74e5e84b23cc18f7b36a6%7C0%7C0%7C637631865933577978%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=lfVRHxyqhNVsYxXtgs6mizjKU4YOT%2B5UXUNJ30FhL8o%3D&reserved=0">FDA website</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> Thu, 26 Aug 2021 09:48:50 -0500 Advocacy