ASHE President's Letter

Advocates for the industry
By W. Thomas Schipper, CCE, FASHE

All of us at some time wonder why a certain response to standards and regulations is required of us when logic indicates that the measures don't make sense.

Often, when this occurs, we move forward in compliance with the feeling: "The standard doesn't seem logical, but who am I to question the wisdom that went into making it? After all, such rules are developed by the best minds that regulatory groups can find."

Unfortunately, when the process is more closely examined, we discover the following:

  • During most standards-making processes, the standards are not necessarily developed by the most professionally qualified and experienced people;
  • Many standards are not based on an evaluation of risk but on single events or even innuendo driven by fear or personal interests; and
  • Many standards developed to resolve technical issues are not necessarily based on scientific evidence but on the current perception of the majority.

In this arena, acceptance without reasoning is no longer tolerable and silence is no longer golden. We can no longer accept the premise that an institution or person is irresponsible if they dare suggest that a standard or regulation may be inappropriate, too stringent or, especially, too costly.

As a matter of simple survival, that attitude must now be changed.

Along those lines, I would like to thank three people who are actively involved in ASHE's advocacy efforts--Dale Woodin, CHFM, ASHE's deputy executive director; Douglas Erickson, FASHE, ASHE codes and standards consultant; and John Collins, SASHE, ASHE's technical specialist for engineering and compliance.

Through their vigilant efforts we as an organization are becoming recognized as the premier association for responsive advocacy in the health care engineering field. For instance, during the last few months, Dale issued a call for comments related to the fire damper testing of NFPA 90A and the FDA's bed rail proposals. I want to thank all of you who responded. Your efforts are making a difference. In the near future, expect more opportunities for your involvement.

We are asking that you alert us to compliance problems that you face, especially with standards that you believe are inappropriate or outmoded. The ASHE advocacy program wants to receive your input.

Together, we'll continue to be outstanding advocates for our profession and industry.

W. Thomas Schipper, CCE, FASHE
Senior consultant, environment of care
Kaiser Permanente, Walnut Center/Parsons East
Pasadena, Calif.

UPDATE: Resources you need at special prices

ASHE makes important educational resources available to those in the health care industry. To order any of the following, call the American Hospital Association's order services department at (800) 242-2626 or log on to www.ahaonlinestore.com:

  • Revised--Space Planner Toolkit. This space planning toolkit is ideal for hospital planners, facilities managers, programmers, consultants and other managers who need help analyzing physical space needs, master planning and project initiation in health care environments. Catalog number: 055233, price: $495.
  • Emergency Management Handbook. This book provides information on developing a response to an emergency, after assessing vulnerability. Catalog number: 055231, price: $85 for ASHE members, $125 for nonmembers.
  • Waste Management Issues for Health Care Facilities. This book serves as a guide to the issues related to managing waste in a health care facility. Use this book to prepare a system for your facility's waste management. Catalog number: 055232, price: $85 for ASHE members, $125 for nonmembers.
  • The 2002 edition of the ASHE Fire, Electrical & Life Safety Compendium enables managers to find the requirements that impact the construction and operation of health care facilities and the people who work in them. Catalog number: 055882, price: $65 for ASHE members, $85 for nonmembers.
  • Preparing for the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager Exam ... A Compendium of Resources is used when preparing to take the exam. Order number: 055354, price: $75 for ASHE members, $95 for nonmembers (plus shipping).

ASHE offers career help

Career Flash, a weekly e-newsletter by ASHE, contains important information on job opportunities. For information on placing a job listing, go to www.ashe.org.

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