Suites — groups of rooms that function as one large room for sleeping (as in intensive care units) or non-sleeping (as in emergency departments, surgical departments, radiology departments and laboratories) — can present challenging compliance issues, according to a report in the Oct. 10 issue of the Joint Commission Online e-newsletter. In 2011, 52 percent of all Joint Commission-accredited hospitals did not comply with Life Safety standard LS.01.01.01, element of performance 2, because of inaccurate Life Safety Code drawings, including the boundaries and sizes of suites. To help rectify these problems, the report offers advice on drawings, exit access and sprinkler requirements for these areas.

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