Physical Environment Solutions
Keep your physical environment safe
More than half of all survey findings typically address physical environment risks. And hospital engineers, safety officers, and emergency management coordinators know the emphasis on Life Safety, Environment of Care, and Emergency Management only continues to increase. Our Physical Environment Solutions team has unmatched expertise in fire and life safety, utilities management, hazardous materials and waste, safety, security, equipment management, and emergency management. We work within our clients’ unique situations and apply common-sense approaches that will survive scrutiny and ensure compliance.
Our Physical Environment Solutions Capabilities
Life Safety Code Compliance
We work with organizations to ensure buildings are compliant with the applicable version of the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101). Depending on the circumstances, we review and correct existing Life Safety Code drawings, perform on-site reviews to create accurate and comprehensive architectural CAD drawings when nonexistent, and conduct comprehensive, on-site Life Safety assessments, including:
- Completing above-ceiling inspections
- Conducting Life Safety mock surveys
- Preparing Life Safety Code equivalencies
- Performing pre-construction Life Safety plan reviews
Environment of Care
We evaluate the safety and functionality of physical environments ensuring that the environment of care is safe and compliant with all applicable requirements (CMS, TJC, HFAP, DNV, CARF, etc.). Our collaborative, customized consultations typically include:
- Ligature risks
- General environmental safety
- Security
- Workplace violence
- Building and equipment inspection, testing, and maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Utilities management
- Equipment management
- Water management
- Pre-construction risk assessments
- Hazardous materials and waste
- Fire and Life Safety requirements, including interim life safety measures
Emergency Preparedness
We evaluate emergency preparedness activities against the latest CMS, accreditation, and local requirements, including:
- Leadership and oversight
- Hazards vulnerability analysis
- Incident command
- Succession planning
- Communication and integration with local, state, and federal emergency preparedness activities
- Surge planning
- Alternate care sites
- Continuity of operations
- Training and rehearsals
- Improvement plans
Our unique, strategic approach delivers results.
Implement practical, commonsense solutions
Eliminate high-priority vulnerabilities
Avoid regulatory myth
Survive the scrutiny of the survey microscope
Keep your physical environment safe for patients and your workforce
Related Insights
Featured Leaders
Lori Dinney, MS, CHSP, PE
Lori Dinney is a Senior Consultant for Chartis Clinical Quality Solutions with more than 35 years of consulting and healthcare experience. Because of her expertise in life safety, she helps her clients successfully navigate the constantly changing requirements of life safety compliance.
Steve MacArthur, CSHA
Steve MacArthur is a Senior Consultant with the Chartis Clinical Quality Solutions. He brings more than 40 years of consulting and healthcare experience to the firm.
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