Safe Environments
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Robert Loseman, Jr.
Vice President of Safety and Preparedness
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- 573-893-3700| ext. 1305
Hospitals are at the center of efforts to build strong, healthy and resilient communities.
To support these activities, MHA provides resources to assist hospitals through community health needs assessments, emergency preparedness, patient and worker safety, and community and population health activities.
Our regulatory, quality improvement, legal and emergency preparedness staff are coordinating to find, build and deliver information, guidance and resources to support hospitals’ efforts on and off campus. Through these efforts, we’re working to develop safer care environments and resilient communities.
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Facility and Infrastructure
The 2022 Hospital Guidelines includes several notable new sections as well as revisions aimed at providing flexibility, reducing cost, and clarifying intent. New sections were written for a behavioral and mental health crisis unit, low-acuity patient treatment station (intended for “walking well” patients), and a burn trauma intensive care unit. New flexible design options include a provision allowing subdivision of trauma/resuscitation rooms as well as design guidance for a flexible secure holding room (i.e., a single-patient treatment room that can easily be converted to a secure holding room). Major updates appear in requirements for mobile units, imaging facilities, behavioral and mental health facilities, and neonatal intensive care units.
Life Safety / Fire Safety
Regulatory Requirements
Guidance and standards for maintaining the expected levels of safety in the care environment:
Security / Public Safety
The IAHSS Security Design Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities, 4th Edition, offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date best practices for designing appropriate security measures into each new construction and renovation project. Developed by leading healthcare security experts and design professionals, this new edition reflects significant updates and new guidelines for outpatient facilities (medical office buildings and outpatient clinics), and design principles that can help mitigate violence in healthcare such as weapons screening.
Cybersecurity
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers best practices, tools, and guidance to help healthcare organizations strengthen their cyber defenses and protect patient data.
Professional Membership Group
The Missouri Society for Healthcare Engineering is involved in the diverse practice of managing the physical, technological and environmental services of health care facilities. MOSHE’s mission is to enhance the professional and personal development of its members through quarterly meetings, MOSHE newsletters and the MOSHE website.