26 Tex. Admin. Code § 509.122 - General Safety
(a) The governing
body shall appoint a safety officer who is knowledgeable in safety practices in
health care facilities. The safety officer shall carry out the functions of the
safety program.
(b) Safety
activities.
(1) The safety officer shall
establish an incident reporting system which includes a mechanism to ensure
that all incidents recorded are evaluated, and documentation is provided to
show follow-up and corrective actions.
(2) Safety policies and procedures for the
facility shall be developed, implemented, and enforced.
(3) Safety training shall be established as
part of new employee orientation and in the continuing education of all
employees.
(c) The
authority of the safety officer to take action, when conditions exist that are
a possible threat to life, health, or building damage, shall be defined in
writing and approved by the governing body.
(d) Each department or service shall have a
safety manual describing safety policies and procedures within their own areas
and become part of the overall facility safety manual.
(e) An emergency communication system, such
as radio-frequency communication devices, battery operated emergency phone, or
cellular telephones, shall be provided in each facility. The system shall be
self-sufficient and capable of operating without reliance on the building's
service or emergency power supply. Such system shall have the capability of
communicating with the available community or state emergency networks,
including police and fire departments.
(f) No portable or ceiling fans shall be
utilized in any patient treatment areas, exam areas, holding areas, imaging
areas, diagnostic areas, clean and sterile environments.
(g) Electrical extension cords and cables
shall not be used for permanent wiring. When temporary electrical cords or
cables are used, they shall be secured and protected to prevent
tripping.
(h) A nurse's emergency
calling system shall be installed in the all treatment room/area station(s),
exam rooms/area station(s), isolation room(s), patient holding stations,
imaging, diagnostic and patient toilet room(s) to summon nursing staff in an
emergency. Activation of the system shall sound a distinct audible signal which
repeats every five seconds or less at the nurse station, indicate type and
location of call on the system monitor, and activate a distinct visible signal
in all areas. The activation of the system shall also activate distinct visible
signals in the clean workroom, soiled workroom, and if provided, in the
nourishment station. The visible and audible signals shall be cancelable only
at the patient calling station. A nurse's emergency call system shall be
accessible to a collapsed patient lying on the floor. Inclusion of a pull cord
extending to within 6 inches of the floor will satisfy this
requirement.
(i) A staff emergency
assistance calling system station shall be located in each treatment room/area,
examination room/area, trauma room/area, and holding room/area to be used by
staff to summon additional help in an emergency. Activation of the system shall
sound an audible signal at a staffed location, indicate type and location of
call on the system monitor, and activate a distinct visible signal in the
corridor at the door. Additional visible signals shall be installed at corridor
intersections in multi-corridor facilities. Distinct visible and audible
signals shall be activated in the clean workroom, in soiled workroom, equipment
storage, and if provided, in the nourishment station.
(j) Doors to any treatment, exam, or
isolation rooms shall not be lockable from inside the room.
(k) When construction takes place during any
treatments, exams, and diagnostics, adequate provision shall be made for the
safety and comfort of patients. Temporary sound barriers shall be provided
where intense prolonged construction noises will disturb patients or staff in
the occupied portions of the building during patient treatment times.
(l) When construction occurs after hours or
on weekends, the facility shall thoroughly clean all areas of construction and
provide a clean safe environment before treating patients.
(m) A facility shall provide a physical
environment that protects the health, safety, and welfare of patients,
personnel, and the public. The physical premises and the environment of the
facility and those areas of the facility's surrounding physical structure that
are used by the patients (including all stairwells, corridors, and passageways)
shall meet the local building and fire safety codes as they relate to safe
access and patient privacy.
Notes
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No prior version found.