This just goes to show how half brained and stupid our management is. So last week when the State Health Dept came for yet another unexpected visit, all the nursing staff on all the units had to move all the COWS (Computers On Wheels), BP machines, and other equipment out of the hallways and into patient rooms. The reason - Fire Code = Needs to be an 8 foot clearance at all times. In theroy I agree, but our unit is a circular layout and in some parts of the unit the hallway BY ITSELF is LESS and the required 8 foot minimum.
Let me go out on a limb here and play the devil's advocate....God forbid there is a fire and all our COWS and other equipment are stuffed in the patient rooms....didn't we just entrap the patient by doing this? We have tiny semi-private and triple bed rooms. Can we move the COWS out of the way? Nope cause its a SAFETY ISSUE.
Now let me be realistic and blunt. If there is a fire, those patients who can run are going to; those patients who cant will be made to, and those patients on life support with least expectancy to survive in general are saved last (sad but true as per hospital policy). The COWS and BP machines should be in the hallways NOT TRAPPING PPEOPLE IN THEIR ROOMS!