SECTION 133.142. General Safety

(a) Safety committee. Each hospital shall have a multidisciplinary safety committee. The hospital chief executive officer (CEO) shall appoint the chairman and members of the safety committee.

(1) Safety officer. The CEO shall appoint a safety officer who is knowledgeable in safety practices in health care facilities. The safety officer shall be a member of the safety committee, and shall carry out the functions of the safety program.

(2) Safety committee meetings. The safety committee shall meet as required by the chairman, but not less than quarterly. Written minutes of each meeting shall be retained for at least one year.

(3) Safety activities.

(A) Incident reports. The safety committee shall establish an incident reporting system which includes a mechanism to ensure that all incidents recorded in safety committee minutes are evaluated, and documentation is provided to show follow-up and corrective actions.

(B) Safety policies and procedures. Safety policies and procedures for each department or service shall be developed, implemented and enforced.

(C) Safety training and continuing education. Safety training shall be established as part of new employee orientation and in the continuing education of all employees.

(4) Written authority. The authority of the safety committee to take action when conditions exist that are a possible threat to life, health, or building damage, shall be defined in writing and approved by the governing body.

(b) Safety manual. Each department or service shall have a safety policy and procedure manual within their own area that becomes a part of the overall facility safety manual.

(c) Emergency communication system. An emergency communication system shall be provided in each facility. The system shall be self-sufficient and capable of operating without reliance on the building's service or emergency power supply. Such system shall have the capability of communicating with the available community or state emergency networks, including police and fire departments.

Source Note: The provisions of this §133.142 adopted to be effective June 21, 2007, 32 TexReg 3587