Utilities Management Plan

Introduction

Date of Last Review 4/15/08
SME: Director of Facilities & Support Services

This topic provides information about the Utilities Management plan.

Functions

The Utilities Management plan has the following functions:

Monitor systems and the environment Reason: To provide a milieu conducive to quality patient care

Provide the following:

Operational reliability

Special risk assessment

Response to failures of systems that support the patient care environment

Emergency power system

The emergency power system provides electricity to at least the following as required by occupancy classification:

Alarm system

Egress illumination

Elevators

Emergency care areas

Emergency communication system

Exit sign illumination

Plan characteristics

The Utility Management Plan includes:

Characteristic	Description
Written criteria	Identifying utilities for the following to include in the plan: Life support Infection control Environmental support Equipment support
Emergency power system	Reliable, adequate system to provide electricity to designated areas during interruption of the normal electrical source.
Written utility systems operational plans	To help: Ensure reliability Control risks Reduce failures Train system users and operators
Complete set of current documents	Indicating: Distribution of and controls for partial or complete shutdown of each utility system Labeling of emergency shutoff controls where provided

Responsibilities

The Facilities Management department has the following responsibilities in addition to their overall equipment management responsibilities:

Action	Description
Inventory	All utility systems' equipment included in the plan Note: The inventory should be current and accurate
Establish procedures and intervals	To test and maintain utility systems equipment in the plan
Document	Tests and inspections supporting operational reliability and risk management Orientation Continuing education for individuals who use and/or maintain utility systems Frequency: At least annually
Identify	Problems, actions taken to resolve them, and evaluation of resolution effectiveness Including: Documentation of actions taken
Evaluate	Need for continued monitoring of a problem once action has proven effective

Safety Committee responsibilities

The Safety Committee and other appropriate staff evaluate utility system performance by reviewing the following:

Equipment failures

User errors

Relevant published information on utility system hazards

Related standards

The Joint Commission: Management of the Environment of Care

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