It is simple physics: no two objects can occupy the same space at the same time. Anything that occupies space in an egress route can impede evacuation during an emergency. Corridors are intended for the movement of people and equipment from one location to another and therefore, are not suitable for storage. Let’s choose to not be one of the hospitals cited during our upcoming triennial survey. Keep the following tips in mind to make sure your area is not cited.

• Nothing can be stored in a corridor for more than 30 minutes without being used or it is considered storage. That includes computers on wheels (COWs) and medical equipment that may be charging in the corridor. Only crash carts and isolation carts in use for the patient in the adjoining room are allowed in corridors. This means no stretchers, wheelchairs, COWs, Dynamaps, chairs for charting, trash carts, EVS carts, linen carts, and food service carts. Nothing can be stored in the corridor.

• Wall-a-roos must be closed when not in use. If left open, they can impede travel in an emergency.

• Also remember that there can be nothing ever stored in a stairwell. Should you find anything in a stairwell, please call EH&S at 6-0749.