Code Change Summary: A new definition was added to Article 517.

Critical care areas in a health care facility are part of the essential electrical system and have specific wiring requirements. The NEC^® gives a few examples of critical care areas which can also include “similar areas” where patients are intended to be subjected to “invasive procedures”.

When determining if an area is in fact a critical care area, it is really helpful to know what an invasive procedure is, especially if the area in question falls into the category of a “similar area”.

In the 2017 NEC^®, the term “invasive procedure” is now defined and it includes any procedure that penetrates the protective surfaces of a patient’s body (i.e., skin, mucous membrane, cornea) and that is performed with an aseptic field (procedural site).

Sometimes, a full set of plans may not available when remodeling or adding circuits in a health care facility. Questions will arise as to which areas are considered critical care areas and require special wiring or additional protection in order to maintain continuity of power. The Governing Body has the ultimate responsibility to designate specific areas in a health care facility but it is always good to be one step ahead and have a basic understanding of how specific areas are classified.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.