Physical Environment, Environment of Care and Life Safety Code Survey

Overview:

The number of deficiencies in the physical environment condition of participation and the environment-of-care standards has continued to increase over the last several years. This session will review commonly cited life safety code deficiencies in hospitals. We will review commonly cited physical environment deficiencies and most frequently cited Life Safety Code deficiencies. CMS updates on these areas including expectations on ligature resistant environment, CMS categorical waivers, air pressure and humidity concerns in surgical suites.

Objectives: 

• Describe and identify common physical environment and Life Safety Code deficiencies.
• Describe how and when relative humidity may be lowered in anesthetizing locations.
• Explain how to avoid these common deficiencies.
• Explain how to use a categorical waiver

Presenter: Nancy Ruzicka, BS, RPh, MBA, MJ, CHC, Ruzicka Consulting

Nancy Ruzicka has experience teaching and assisting hospitals and other healthcare facilities in understanding applicable Federal and State laws, rules, regulations and interpretative guidelines. Her experience also encompasses teaching all levels of healthcare staff in understanding compliance and HIPAA requirements. Nancy has been a frequent speaker for the Iowa Hospital Association on EMTALA and Conditions of Participation for hospitals and critical access hospitals.

Nancy’s previous experiences include Director of Integrity & Compliance and Privacy Official at Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines; Director of Regulatory Compliance at UnityPoint Health and over twenty years of experience with Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Nancy received her MJ in Health Law, MBA and BS in Pharmacy from Drake University, Des Moines. She is certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) and maintains her Iowa pharmacy license.