CHFM - Certified Healthcare Facility Manager Maintenance and Operations Flashcards

In a healthcare facility, what is the purpose of a lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedure?

Answer: To de-energize and isolate equipment before maintenance so workers cannot be injured by unexpected startup or energy release

LOTO procedures, required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, ensure that machinery and equipment is completely de-energized and isolated from all energy sources before maintenance personnel work on it.

What does a building automation system (BAS) allow healthcare facility managers to do?

Answer: Monitor and control building systems (HVAC, lighting, security) from a central interface, enabling remote operation and automated responses

A BAS integrates control of HVAC, electrical, lighting, and other building systems into a central software platform, enabling monitoring, remote control, alarm management, and energy optimization.

What is the primary purpose of a planned maintenance (PM) compliance rate metric in a healthcare facilities department?

Answer: To measure what percentage of scheduled PM tasks are completed on time, indicating program effectiveness

PM compliance rate measures the percentage of scheduled preventive maintenance tasks completed within their scheduled time window, serving as a key performance indicator for the quality and discipline of the maintenance program.

In healthcare facility management, what is the purpose of a utility system risk assessment?

Answer: To identify which utility systems, if they fail, would have the greatest impact on patient care and safety, informing maintenance priorities

A utility system risk assessment (required by TJC EC.02.05.01) evaluates utility systems based on the risk they pose to patient care if they fail, enabling the facility to prioritize maintenance resources and develop appropriate PM strategies for highest-risk systems.

What maintenance technique uses infrared thermography to inspect electrical systems in a healthcare facility?

Answer: Predictive maintenance — detecting thermal anomalies that indicate loose connections, overloaded circuits, or failing components

Infrared thermography is a predictive maintenance tool that detects abnormal heat signatures in electrical panels, switchgear, and connections, indicating resistance increases from loose connections or failing equipment before they cause fires or failures.

What is the significance of maintaining an equipment inventory in a healthcare facility CMMS?

Answer: It provides the asset database that drives PM scheduling, parts management, warranty tracking, and maintenance cost reporting

The equipment inventory (asset register) in a CMMS is the foundation of the entire maintenance management program — every PM schedule, work order, cost history, warranty, and compliance record ties back to a specific asset in the inventory.