Standards › Standard 9 › Policies
Policy · FLD-POL-001 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: 9.1
At a glance
- No patient is admitted until the minimum set-up checklist (FLD-FRM-001) is signed.
- The unit has separate areas for triage, treatment and isolation.
- Water, sanitation and waste disposal meet the minimum before admission.
- Any item that fails is recorded and fixed before admission, or admission is limited.
- Stop and get help straight away if: a patient is admitted before the set-up checklist is signed, or with no isolation area.
1. Purpose
To make sure a field unit is safe before the first patient arrives (9.1).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the hospital |
| Locations | All wards, clinics and departments of the facility |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 15 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clinical lead | The doctor or nurse in charge of the area at the time |
4. Background
A field hospital opened in a hurry can be unsafe before the first patient arrives. A defined minimum set-up, checked before admission, means the basics are in place from the start.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Field unit lead | Owns the set-up and signs the checklist | Clinician |
| Water and sanitation lead | Confirms water, sanitation and waste | Engineer |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a patient is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Check the set-up.
- Complete FLD-FRM-001 before admission, covering structure, areas, water, sanitation, waste and power.
Key point: Checked before the first patient.
Step 2. Separate the areas.
- Keep triage, treatment and isolation areas separate, with a floor plan on file.
Key point: Three areas, kept apart.
Step 3. Test the water and waste.
- Test water (WAT-FRM-001) and record waste disposal (WST-FRM-001) before admission.
Key point: Tested, not assumed.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. Use the on-call contact on the wall of the area. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units admitted with a signed set-up checklist | 100% | Each opening | Field unit lead | Escalate to the coordinating authority |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Patient record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy years |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| FLD-FRM-001 | Minimum set-up checklist | Checklist |
| WAT-PLN-001 | Water interruption contingency plan (existing, reused) | Plan |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-009 | Based on the Sphere Handbook, Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response (2018). |
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | the date of approval | First version | set Expert Committee approval |
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References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 1. (E-009)