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Monday, February 5, 2018
Question:
Is a physical therapy room with many exercise machines that is part of a doctor's office consider a "patient care area"? The exam rooms comply with Art 517. This an ortho. practice.
Andrew Young
A
Answer:
Hey Andrew thanks for your question. The phrase "patient care area" was changed to "patient care space" in the 2014 NEC to be consistent with NFPA 99, the Health Care Facilities Code. If patients are examined or treated in that space as described in the definition of Patient Care Space in 517.2 then yes as required by 517.10. The governing body designates Patient Care Spaces as stated in the informational note to that definition. The definitions of Medical Office and Governing Body are also defined in 517.2.