Pre-Op Area

[anbm]

Does anyone know anywhere in electrical code to classify
if pre-op is a critical or general care area? The reason I asked
because NEC-517 requires different outlet quantity at patient bed
based on area classification. Thank you!

TX Man

 

[roger]

The definitions in 517 (they are the same as NFPA 99) are usually followed by the Facility people and Architect/Designer in classifying the areas.

Patient Care Area. Any portion of a health care facility wherein patients are intended to be examined or treated. Areas of a health care facility in which patient care is administered are classified as general care areas or critical care areas. The governing body of the facility designates these areas in accordance with the type of patient care anticipated and with the following definitions of the area classification.

Critical Care Areas. Those special care units, intensive care units, coronary care units, angiography laboratories, cardiac catheterization laboratories, delivery rooms, operating rooms, and similar areas in which patients are intended to be subjected to invasive procedures and connected to line-operated, electromedical devices.

Roger

 

[DanZ]

It really comes down to what equipment you have in the area. Either the Architect / Engineer or Hospital staff should know.

Like Roger posted, if they have life support equipment, or have monitoring equipment, it's critical care, if it's just beds than it's patient care area.

If it is critical care, don't forget about your back up systems!

-Dan

 

[charlie b]

My expectation would be that pre-op would count as critical care. But as has already been pointed out, it is up to the facility management. My reasoning is that the things that happen in pre-op, in preparing a patient for an operation, would be sufficiently "invasive" to meet the definition. More to the point, however, is that if a patient will be connected to any electromedical devices that will be used during the operation, the connection will be made in the pre-op room.

 

[steve66]

From the definition of patient care area:

"Areas of a health care facility in which patient care is administered are classified as either general care areas or critical care areas, either of which may be classified as a wet location. The governing body of the facility designates these areas in accordance with the type of patient care anticipated..."

But on the other hand, you could just treat it as critical care and call it a day.

Edit: Opps, Roger already had the quote.

Steve