Check your spare circuit breakers for correct labeling or risk an RFI from TJC

by A.J. Plunkett (aplunkett@decisionhealth.com)

Make sure spare circuit breakers in electrical panels are labeled correctly and in the appropriate on or off position, or else you might get hit with a citation from The Joint Commission (TJC).

TJC has said that as of January 1 of this year, it would start scoring incorrectly labeled or positioned circuit breakers under Environment of Care standard EC.02.05.01, on managing utility risks. Under element of performance 9, TJC requires hospitals to label “utility system controls to facilitate partial or complete emergency shutdowns.”

The announcement may surprise some organizations, but some surveyors have been scoring spare circuit breakers in the on position for a while, said Patton Healthcare Consulting, in their January newsletter to clients.

Make sure spare circuit breakers in electrical panels are labeled correctly and in the appropriate on or off position, or else you might get hit with a citation from The Joint Commission (TJC).

TJC has said that as of January 1 of this year, it would start scoring incorrectly labeled or positioned circuit breakers under Environment of Care standard EC.02.05.01, on managing utility risks. Under element of performance 9, TJC requires hospitals to label “utility system controls to facilitate partial or complete emergency shutdowns.”