CMS issues correction to new fire safety requirements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today published a correction to its recently updated fire safety standards for hospitals. The May final rule adopted the National Fire Protection Association’s 2012 Life Safety Code (with minor amendments) and most chapters of its 2012 Health Care Facilities Code for hospitals and certain other facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Today’s clarification states that hospital outpatient surgical departments must meet Life Safety Code provisions applicable to ambulatory health care occupancies, “regardless of the number of patients served.” The standards for ambulatory health care occupancies normally apply to facilities providing services simultaneously to four or more patients. AHA and its American Society for Healthcare Engineering personal membership group are reviewing the impact of today’s clarification for members.