Life Safety and Environment of Care Reviews
Providing a safe, functional, and effective environment for patients, staff members, and other individuals is imperative for any behavioral healthcare organization. And when it comes to ensuring a safe and compliant environment, Life Safety and Environment of Care (EOC) reviews play an important role in achieving this objective. These assessments help healthcare organizations meet regulatory standards and mitigate risks that could impact patient safety and compliance outcomes.
Which Organizations Are Impacted by Life Safety and Environment of Care Policies?
Organizations that need to follow Life Safety and EOC policies include facilities regulated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) which mandates compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) to receive federal funding.
Life Safety and Environment of Care reviews are an effective way to ensure you meet these standards.
What are Life Safety and Environment of Care Reviews
Life Safety & EOC Reviews are comprehensive assessments designed to ensure your facility meets the rigorous standards set by accrediting and certifying agencies. These reviews focus on compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code, Joint Commission standards, and CMS Conditions of Participation (CoPs.). With findings related to life safety ranking high among survey deficiencies, preparation is essential for a successful accreditation or certification process.
Barrins & Associates Life Safety & EOC Reviews
Barrins expert consultants conduct mock surveys to evaluate your facility’s readiness. The review is conducted as a mock survey and covers the following areas:
Document Review – experts examine building documentation related to fire safety features and emergency egress paths. This includes:
- Life Safety drawings and Interim Life Safety Measures
- Fire response plans and drills
- Maintenance records for fire protection, medical equipment, and utility systems
- Environment of Care and Emergency Operations Plans
- Building Assessment – evaluates safety features to ensure the occupants can safely evacuate in case of an emergency.
- Inspection of fire and smoke barriers, hazardous areas, and fire exits
- Evaluation of emergency power systems, medical gas systems, and environmental conditions
- Identification of potential risks such as ceiling penetrations or missing fireproofing
Environment of Care Session – a comprehensive assessment of the physical environment, including safety measures, security protocols, hazardous materials management, fire safety, medical equipment functionality, and utility systems.
- Simulation of how surveyors evaluate EOC programs
- Practice sessions for presenting EOC plans and addressing surveyor questions
Emergency Management Session – incorporates individuals involved in emergency response to analyze and discuss the effectiveness of their actions during emergency situations.
- Review of disaster planning, mitigation, and response processes
- Evaluation of disaster drills and compliance with accreditation requirements
Ligature Risk Evaluation – identify and assess potential areas or objects that could be used by a patient to harm themselves and develop a plan to mitigate those risks.
- Identification and prioritization of ligature and self-harm risks
- Tools and strategies to meet ligature-resistant environment standards
Benefits of Life Safety & EOC Reviews
Proactively addressing Life Safety and EOC standards creates a safer, more compliant environment while streamlining survey preparation. These reviews deliver practical tools and actionable insights to enhance your organization’s overall safety and compliance efforts.
- Improved Compliance: Meet NFPA, accreditation, and CMS requirements.
- Enhanced Safety: Identify and address risks that affect patient and staff safety.
- Survey Readiness: Gain confidence knowing your facility is fully prepared for surveys.
- Best Practices: Access tools, resources, and strategies tailored to your organization’s needs.
Why Choose Barrins & Associates for Life Safety & Environment of Care Reviews?
Barrins & Associates specializes in regulatory compliance for behavioral healthcare facilities, including psychiatric hospitals and acute care settings. Our team has expertise in Life Safety and Environment of Care standards, with extensive experience in facility management and survey preparation. By partnering with us, your organization benefits from:
- Comprehensive assessments aligned with multiple accrediting agencies
- Practical guidance to address survey findings and mitigate risks
- Expert-led sessions to enhance staff readiness and confidence
Get started with us today to plan your Life Safety & Environmental Review. Call us at 1-888-742-4621 to discuss your needs or fill out our online contact form.