7) Violation: Using Isolated Ground Receptacles in patient areas. I have found isolated ground receptacles in patient care areas. Some say the system is on isolated power, so they used isolated ground receptacles. However, the primary protection for a patient is the ground going back to the reference ground bus whether on grounded power or isolated power. On isolated power the Line Isolation Monitor is monitoring any path going to ground. If equipment is plugged into a receptacle that is not reference to earth ground the LIM will not be able to monitor any fault that may potentially be going to ground.  

Code: NFPA 99 6.3.2.2.7.1 (B) An isolated ground receptacle shall not be installed within a patient care vicinity.  

Solution: Do a quick inspection of all patient care areas looking for isolated ground receptacles, they are orange in color or have an orange triangle symbol on its face. Make note of location and change ASAP. Notify all maintenance that they are not to be installed in patient care areas.