A short summary of the standard - Healthcare organization work to provide safe, functional and supportive facilities for patients, families, staff and visitors. To reach the goal, the physical facility, medical and other equipment and people must be effectively managed. In particular the focus is that the management must strive to achieve the followings:
- reduce and control hazards and risks;
- prevent accidents and injuries; and,
- maintain safe conditions.
Here are 11 standards under FMS Chapters.
FMS 1) Leadership & Planning - Relevant laws, regulations, and facility inspection requirements.
FMS 2) Leadership & Planning - Written plans to manage risks to patients, family, visitors and staff.
FMS 3) Leadership & Planning - Overseeing the planning and implementation of the program to manage risks in the care environment
FMS 4) Safety & Security - Plans and implements program to provide a safe and secure physical environment.
FMS 5) Hazardous Materials - Plan for the inventory, handling, storage and the use of hazardous materials, control and disposal.
FMS 6) Disaster Preparedness - Develops and maintains an emergency management plan and program to respond to likely community emergencies, epidemics and natural or other disasters.
FMS 7) Fire Safety - Plans and implements a program to ensure that all occupants are safe from fire, smoke, or other emergencies.
FMS 8) Medical Equipment - The hospital establishes and implements a program for inspecting, testing and maintaining medical technology and documenting the results.
FMS 9) Utility System - Potable and electrical power are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through regular or alternative sources, to meet essential patient care needs.
FMS 10) Utility System - Electrical, waste, water, ventilation, medical gas, and other key systems are regularly inspected, maintained, and, when appropriate, improved.
FMS11) Staff Education - Educates and trains all staff members about their roles in providing a safe and effective patient care facility.
I will concentrate the writing on FMS 8 for medical equipment. The intent of the Standard FMS.8 is to ensure that medical technology available for use is functioning properly and the hospital performs inspection, testing and maintaining these medical technology and documents the records.
The measurable elements are as follows:
- The hospital establishes and implements a medical technology program throughout the hospital.
- There is an inventory of all medical technology
- Medical technology is inspected and tested when new and according to age, use and manufacturers' recommendation thereafter
- The medical technology program includes preventive maintenance
- Staff providing these services are qualified and trained for the services being provided.
Intent of FMS 8.1 - The hospital has a system in place for monitoring and acting on medical technology hazard notices, recall, reportable incidents, problems, and failures sent by the manufacturer, supplier, or regulatory agency. Some countries require reporting of any medical technology that has been involved in death, serious injury or illness. Hospital must identify and comply with the laws and regulations pertaining to reporting of medical technology incidents. The medical technology management program addresses the use of any medical technology with a reported problem or failure, or that is the subject of a hazard notice or is under recall.
Measurable elements of FMS.8.1
- The hospital has a system in place for monitoring and acting on medical technology hazard notices, recall, reportable incidents, problems, and failures.
- When laws and regulations require, the hospital reports any deaths, serious injuries or illness that are a result of medical technology.
- The medical technology management program addresses the use of any medical technology with a reported problem or failure, or that is the subject of a hazard notice or is under recall.
