The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated its respiratory care critical element pathway, highlighting new requirements for “No Smoking” signage in healthcare facilities where oxygen is stored or used. Proper signage is a simple but critical safety measure that helps reduce fire risks and protect residents, staff, and visitors.
CMS now requires facilities that allow smoking to post “No Smoking” signs on all doors to oxygen storage or usage areas. Non-smoking facilities are required to post signs at all major entrances and on doors to all oxygen storage locations. These requirements make the facility’s smoking policies visible and help prevent accidents related to oxygen and fire hazards.
CMS also added F689 – Free of Accident Hazards/Supervision/Devices and F926 – Smoking Policies under “Other Tags, Care Areas, and Tasks to Consider.”
Compliance Perspective
Issue
CMS recently updated its respiratory care critical element pathway to clarify requirements for “No Smoking” signage in healthcare facilities where oxygen is stored or used. Proper signage is essential to help reduce fire risks and maintain a safe environment for residents, staff, and visitors. Facilities should ensure that their policies, procedures, and oversight practices align with the updated requirements to support ongoing compliance.
Discussion Points
- Review and update policies and procedures related to smoking signage and respiratory care safety. Policies should clearly outline where “No Smoking” signs must be posted for both smoking and non-smoking facilities and address monitoring and maintenance of signage. Facilities may consider working with an external consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies and validate alignment with CMS requirements to support consistent compliance and overall resident safety.
- Provide education and training to staff responsible for resident safety, respiratory care, and facility compliance. Training should focus on the importance of clearly posted signage, understanding the potential hazards related to oxygen storage and use, and reinforcing adherence to facility smoking policies. Med-Net Academy offers the course Fire Safety, which helps staff understand key elements of fire protection, practice kitchen safety, learn safe smoking practices, and recognize the importance of ongoing training and drills.
- Conduct periodic audits to verify that signage is properly placed, maintained, and compliant with CMS expectations. Facilities may find it beneficial to engage a consultant for focused mock surveys or reviews to identify gaps, validate practices, and address deficiencies proactively before they result in regulatory concerns.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, Inc. for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*