We recently went through a JCAHO inspection. Supposedly under new
regulations, the only things that can be stored under sinks are "LIQUID
CLEANING SUPPLIES". Absolutely no powder cleaning products, brushes, etc. We
store only liquid cleaning solutions and bleach under our sinks now. The
inspectors definitely look under the sinks!! We have very limited storage
space as it is and it took some creative rearranging to find a good place to
store our other supplies that did not meet the criteria to store under the
sink. 

Hope this helps.

Have a Great Day,
Diane

Diane C. Gladney, HT (ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Moncrief Army Community Hospital
P.O. BOX 484
4500 Stuart Ave.
FT. Jackson, SC 29207

(803) 751-2530
DSN 734-2530

EMAIL: diane.gladney@se.amedd.army.mil  OR
                 dcgx1@aol.com


-----Original Message-----
From: MEller@stpetes.org [mailto:MEller@stpetes.org]
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2003 11:30 AM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: JCAHO inspection - storage under sinks


Greetings.  Do any of you have recent JCAHO experience and know if
materials in pathology can be stored in cabinets under the sinks?  We were
first  told (by hospital administration)  we could have only cleaning
supplies under the sinks, and now we are told that we can have absolutely
nothing under the sinks.  Has JCAHO sited anyone for this, or do you have
any references to this?  It makes sense to me if the sinks are in patient
areas or public areas, but I don't see the logic of it applying to
non-patient areas.  Any advice greatly appreciated.  Thanks!