Life Safety (LS) (Critical Access Hospitals / Critical Access Hospitals)
Free-Standing Emergency Department - Occupancy
Publish | January 01, 0001
What type of occupancy is a free-standing emergency department?
The Joint Commission defines the occupancy based on the definitions found in the NFPA 101 (2000) Life Safety Code. If the free standing Emergency Department is not capable of rendering four or more patients incapable of self-preservation in an emergency or is not capable providing general anesthesia to four or more patients, then it may be classified as a business occupancy in accordance with the LSC. If the render/anesthetize rule is applicable, the ED is classified as an ambulatory health care occupancy. If the facility provides housing on a 24-hour basis, it is classified as a health care occupancy (hospital). An ED that is open on a 24/7 basis does not dictate that it is a health care occupancy. [LS.01.01.01]
Was this response helpful?
Thank you for your feedback!