Applies To: All HSC Hospitals, UNMCC, & UNMH

Component(s):
Responsible Department: Facilities and Plant Operations

Procedure

Title: Elevator Utilization and Emergency Procedures

Patient Age Group:

(x) N/A

( ) All Ages

( ) Newborns

( ) Pediatric

( ) Adult

DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
Facilities & Plant Operations will assign responsibility and delineate the roles involved in
providing back-up medical vacuum to effected areas.
1. The Security Officer In Charge has the authority to direct the PBX operator to call
Albuquerque Fire Department for emergency rescue assistance in the event an elevator
malfunctions or fails and the health or safety of passengers inside is compromised.
2. University Hospital has elevators located throughout the hospital and Ambulatory Care
Center Building and west parking structure. All elevators are numbered inside and out for
easy identification.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
All Staff
PROCEDURE
1. Elevator Courtesy
1.1. Stretcher or bedridden patients being transported and emergency personnel
should be given first priority for all elevators. Patient privacy during
elevator transport will be respected.
1.2. As a courtesy to patients being transported on beds, stretchers, or
wheelchairs, employees transporting trash, food, supplies, etc. will use other
elevators or wait for the next available elevator.
1.3. All employees physically able should use the stairs, especially if transit is
only 1-2 floors.
1.4. Attention to customer service and confidentiality is important. Remarks and
conversations should be limited to that which is appropriate and helpful.
1.5. When attempting to enter an elevator, please allow the people on the elevator
to exit first.
2. Elevator Utilization
2.1. Utility elevators will be used to transport trash, linen and construction
materials whenever possible.
3. Elevator Emergencies
3.1. Each elevator is equipped with a phone or communication speaker box that is
linked directly to PBX operators.
3.2. Each elevator is numbered inside and out for identification of each.
3.3. Any employee identifying a possible or known elevator problem is obligated
to immediately report the event to Facilities Engineering at 2-2500 or to
Facilities Engineering staff on duty after hours via PBX operator.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Title: Elevator Utilization & Emergency Procedures
Owner: Director, Facilities & Plant Operations
Effective Date: 1/5/2009
Doc. #2424

Page 1 of 3

3.4. Elevator repairs, inspections, and preventative maintenance are completed by

outside elevator contractors.
3.5. PBX operators will dispatch Security Officers to an elevator when
communication via the emergency phone has been attempted by elevator
passengers but has not been clearly received by PBX operators. The
Security Officers will verify if there is an emergency and will take
appropriate actions according to this policy.
4. Elevator Malfunction/Failure With Passengers Inside:
4.1. In the event the elevator malfunctions or fails with passengers inside, the
following actions will be implemented:
4.2. PBX operator will dispatch the Emergency Response Team including
Security, Facilities Engineering & Operations and the Administrative
Supervisor. PBX will notify Patient Transport for assistance, if needed.
4.3. If the passengers require medical attention, PBX operator will dispatch the
Dr. Heart Team to the location. PBX operator will use the PBX Information
Action Sheet for Elevator Shut-Down to help determine the medical
condition and needs of the passengers and to document the event.
4.4. Upon direction by Facilities Engineering, PBX will call the elevator
contractor to respond for service and passenger extrication. During the day
shift (Mon-Fri), notification to the elevator contractor will be made by the
Facilities Engineering Office.
4.5. As the Emergency Response Team, Security and Facilities Engineering staffs
will respond to the elevator in trouble and assess the problem by:
4.5.1. Determining the location of the car in the shaft
4.5.2. Establishing communication with the passengers
4.5.3. Assessing passenger safety
4.5.4. Determining whether the lights are on in the elevator car
4.6. Prior to extricating any passengers, Facilities Engineering will secure the car
in place by shutting off the main disconnect switch.
4.7. Facilities Engineering will determine if the elevator meets the unsafe criteria
condition. If the elevator meets the unsafe criteria as determined by the
elevator manufacturer, the passengers will remain inside until the Elevator
Service Contractor On Call can respond. The Elevator Contractor On Call
has a response time of 30 minutes.
4.8. The Security Officer In Charge may request PBX operator to call
Albuquerque Fire Department for emergency rescue assistance.
4.9. Passengers requiring medical attention following elevator extrication will be
transported to the Emergency Department. The Emergency Response Team
and Patient Transport will assist, as appropriate. The Dr. Heart Team may
be dispatched via PBX.
All members of the Emergency Response Team will attend annual elevator emergency training
conducted by Facilities Engineering & Operations and Security Management. The Elevator
Service Contractor will assist in training, as needed.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
This document replaces the document with the same name, last revised, 9/2000.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Title: Elevator Utilization & Emergency Procedures
Owner: Director, Facilities & Plant Operations
Effective Date: 1/5/2009
Doc. #2424

Page 2 of 3

DOCUMENT APPROVAL & TRACKING

Item
Owner
Official Approver

Contact
Date
Director, Facilities and Plant Operations
Erin Doles, Administrator, Professional & Support Services

Official Signature

1/5/2009

Effective Date
Origination Date
Issue Date

1/5/2009
3/1998
1/9/2009

Clinical Operations Policy Coordinator

Approval
Y

ATTACHMENTS

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Title: Elevator Utilization & Emergency Procedures
Owner: Director, Facilities & Plant Operations
Effective Date: 1/5/2009
Doc. #2424

Page 3 of 3