October 2007 Updates:

Updates are availible on the JACHO and NFPA Website!

New Jersey Engineering Advisory Board
Minutes of August 16, 2006

Attended:       

James Corueil, St. Joseph’s Regional Med Ctr                  George Thomas, NBIMC

Henry Schuurman, Christian Healthcare                                Christine Bottiglieri, Kennedy Health

Patrick Giordano, Virtua Healthcare System             Bill Cuthill, St.Barnabus Hospital                       

John DiGirolomo, Englewood Hospital                                    Sean McGovern, Cooper Health

Sally Roslow & Bill Kennedy, NJHA

Excused:                                                                    

John Schliewenz, Holy Name Hospital

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James Corueil brought the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. The members signed in on the attendance sheet.  Assembled, we arose from our chairs, faced the flag of our nation, and pledged allegiance to the United States of America.

Approval of the May minutes shall be done in September; no minutes of May, 2006 were available for distribution and review. 

Old Business:

There was no old business to report. 

Standing Committees and their Reports:

DOH:

George Thomas had a report that he will share with us later.  It was four pages long and George did not have copies for handouts.  He informed us that there were no standout items. 

James Corueil reported on an inspection at the Kindred Hospital of Wayne for CMS.  Frank Smadja was the inspector.  The report is attached hereto and made a part hereof. 

ASHE:  John DiGirolomo reported that the Boston ASHE Convention went well.  There is no big issue, like fire dampers, brought before the ASHE membership.  NFPA99 is being rewritten; it will be quite a while before that book appears in print.  E-SOC input from members of ASHE is being solicited.  George Mills of the JCAHO is looking for comments from the field users of this program.  George, and many others, feels it is not user friendly.  He needs comments from the field to make a case for delaying implementation.   

APIC:

Christine Bottiglieri reports that both the North and the South groups of APIC are working on a website video presentation on hand hygiene.  Tony Monaco of the DOG is heavily involved in this project.  The video will be placed on the official New Jersey website (www.nj.gov).  The target date for the first viewing is September 18, 2006. 

DCA:  There was no report at this meeting.

ADA:

It’s here!  Sally Roslow presented the EAB Committee with a handsome report “Interpreter Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing”.  It is quite an achievement.  Thank you for this “handout”. 

There is currently no pending legislation for our group to review. 

Safety: 

There was a Patient Safety Initiative alert of May 2006 published by NJDH and SS.  It describes and incident with “metal shot” inside a sandbag in the MRI suite.  The memorandum is attached hereto and made a part hereof.    

Emergency Preparedness:

Ron Darrow reported that the state released new grant money yesterday.  The grant for each hospital was $55,000.  From this grant money, $5,000 must be spent on drills and planning.    

Fire Codes:

James Corueil attended a Fire Codes meeting this morning, Wednesday, August 16, 2006.  The International Fire Code, 2006 Ed. was recommended for adoption with a great deal of New Jersey Amendments.  Since the work on this board is “Advisory”, we shall see if it is adopted by the Division of Fire and safety.  It will be months before it happens. 

NFPA 25, Installation, Testing and Maintenance of Water Based Fire Suppression Systems have an Appendix B, Forms for Recording the Testing.  New Jersey Fire Officials have adopted those forms as the Official Forms to use for your records. 

NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code allows the fire alarm system panel to “share components, equipment, circuitry, and installation wiring with non-fire alarm systems.  However, it has been reported at least one local AHJ in Paterson, N.J. will not allow this.  Before you hook up, check with your local AHJ. 

Bio-Medical:

Sean McGovern reports that there is a new, tougher electrical standard for bio-medical equipment.  There are enhanced risk management issues that come with the new standard.  You can obtain this information if you need it from AMMI by visiting their website at www.aami.org.  The price of the document is $185 for AAMI members and $225 for non-members.

New Jersey Register Review:

There was no NJ Register report.

Environmental/DEP: 

James Corueil reported that the State DEP visited two times since last June.  The first visit was to see the inspection records of the PCB filled transformers.  They requested to see the past five years of records.   

The second visit was to check out the underground fuel oil storage tanks.  A short synopsis of their issues is attached hereto and made a part hereof.

Group Purchasing: 

Bill Kennedy of NJHA was in attendance today.  He discussed with us the best way to bring to our attention issues and vendors that would be of value to the EAB and all N.J. Healthcare Facilities

New Business: 

The issue of the Standard of 797, Pharmacy Regulations, was discussed.  Some hospitals are fully compliant and some are not.  Most hospitals have made some progress.  There seems to be no infection control issues with the compounding area. 

Next Meeting:  Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Adjournment:

There being no other business to come before this committee, Chairman James Corueil called for a motion for adjournment at 2:35 p.m. which was seconded by the members.    

Respectfully submitted by EAB Chairman, James Corueil