How to Create a Clinic or Medical Office Fire Plan in 2025 [HIPAA + Safety]

Unique Challenges of Medical Facility Evacuation

Medical offices face evacuation challenges other businesses don't:

• Patients with limited mobility or medical conditions
• Medical equipment that may need to stay with patients
• Oxygen and other medical gas hazards
• HIPAA-protected information to secure
• Patients may be sedated or in procedures
• Clinical waste and biohazard considerations

Patient Evacuation Procedures

Safe patient evacuation requires special planning:

• Identify ambulatory vs. non-ambulatory patients
• Assign staff to assist mobility-impaired patients
• Have evacuation chairs/equipment available
• Plan for patients with medical devices
• Consider "defend in place" for certain patients
• Coordinate with local emergency services

Medical-Specific Map Elements

Medical office evacuation maps need additional elements:

• Medical gas shut-off locations
• Oxygen storage areas marked as hazards
• AED locations throughout facility
• Evacuation equipment storage locations
• Pharmacy/medication storage areas
• Exam rooms and procedure rooms identified
• Handicap-accessible routes clearly marked

Regulatory Compliance

Medical facilities face multiple regulatory requirements:

• OSHA Emergency Action Plan (29 CFR 1910.38)
• State health department regulations
• CMS Conditions of Participation (if Medicare/Medicaid)
• Joint Commission standards (if accredited)
• Local fire codes
• ADA accessibility requirements

Generate Your Medical Office Map

Our AI generator creates healthcare-specific evacuation maps that address patient safety, medical equipment, and regulatory requirements.