Thursday, July 31, 2008

Petroleum based lubricants on patients using oxygen

Here’s a little piece of information I requested from Greg Day in response to a question I got from my Respiratory Department. The question was,” What reg do I show nursing to get them to stop using ?”. I just thought someone else might be able to use this someday.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Extension-cords and receptacles in surgical suites

As I read the NEC, extension cord sets: "..shall be permitted during the period of construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition..." "...not to exceed 90 days for holiday decorative lighting and similar purpose." " during emergencies and for tests, experiments and for developmental work." and "... shall not be used as a substitiute for the fixed wiring of a structure.." (NEC 70-590.3 & 400.8). There also needs to be a "..written assured equipmpent grounding conductor program continuously enforced...to ensure that equipment grounding conductors for all cord sets....are installed and maintained.." (NEC 70-590.6)

So given all that (and any other requirement I may not have stated), just what is acceptable and SOP for the needs in the surgical suites? These suites are large with receptacles on the walls plus an overhead reel at the head end of the table for anesthesia. Seve

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Alcohol hand gel in OR?

Do you have/allow alcohol hand gel in your operating room?

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Ambulance Transported Equipment - Need bio-med check?

When a piece of patient care equipment is used in an ambulance transport of the patient, does the equipment used on the patient have to be checked out by the bio-med before being put back into service? The equipment left our site, went to a different hospital and then transported back to our hospital. My understanding is once it leaves us we have to have it checked out before returning it to service.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Asbestos Floor Tile Removal

Can anyone enlighten me on the Maine DEP’s minimum abatement requirements for the removal of asbestos floor tile? The Hospital has some small offices in which we’re replacing carpeting, under which there are old asbestos tiles. We typically have had an abatement contractor remove all of the asbestos tile from these types of projects in the past; however, if most of the tiles are sound, and a just a few are loose or damaged, does the state allow removal of those tiles without going through the notification process and using a licensed abatement contractor to conduct the removal?