* EC: Plugging In to the New CMS Power Strip Waiver[®]  [REF: CMS, EOC, SFT] EC News, January 2015, Vol 18, #7, Pg 1 JCe1501_B09

This past September, CMS issued a new Categorical Waiver for Power Strips Use in Patient Care Areas (S&C:14-46-LSC). It allows hospitals to use power strips (aka relocatable power taps/RPTs) in patient-care related equipment mounted on a rack, table pedestal or cart that is not plugged in and connected to a patient (e.g., electric beds). However, this requires:

• “full compliance with the appropriate codes and authorities (NFPA, state/local authorities having jurisdiction”
• Advance (before survey) documentation in EOC Committee minutes of the formal decision to use the waiver
• compliance with at least 5 additional conditions elaborated in the S&C letter/summarized in this article ) pg 6 

The article also indicates the specific UL listings required for patient care–related
and non–patient care–related devices.
Tip: Safety officer and EOC committee should review this article (and preferably the S&C:14-46-LSC) as use of this waiver will require detailed understanding of the new conditions as well as the old precautions (e.g., never daisy chaining RPTs) that are still in place.