AHA CHFM - Certified Health Care Facility Manager (CHFM)

The simple payback period is calculated by dividing the initial investment cost by the annual operating savings (reduction in operating cost). It does not consider time value of money, inflation, or full life-cycle costs.

A (Correct): Annual operating cost directly determines the annual savings, which is essential for payback calculation.

B: Inflation is considered in more advanced financial models (e.g., NPV, IRR), not simple payback.

C: Replacement cost is relevant for life-cycle cost analysis, not simple payback.

D: Life of the equipment may determine feasibility but is not part of the basic payback formula.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanners do not use ionizing radiation; instead, they use powerful magnetic fields and radiofrequency energy. The primary safety hazard is the projectile effect (missile effect), where ferromagnetic objects are pulled violently into the scanner bore. This is one of the most well-documented risks in MRI safety and is a leading cause of MRI accidents.

Correct Answer (D. missile projection): Strong magnetic fields can accelerate ferromagnetic objects, causing serious patient/staff injury or equipment damage.

Incorrect Options:

A. visual impairment: Not a recognized risk from MRI scanning itself.

B. radiation overexposure: MRI does not use ionizing radiation, unlike CT or X-ray.

C. permanent hearing loss: While MRI noise can be damaging without ear protection, the most likely injury of those listed is projectile accidents.

Relevance to CHFM: This falls under Compliance and Safety domains. Facility managers must ensure MRI safety zones, access control, ferromagnetic detection systems, and staff training to prevent accidents.

Calculation:

234,480 ÷ 15,000 = 15.63 days → ≈ 15 days supply available.

The correct sequence aligns with the Plan–Do–Check–Act (PDCA) cycle of continuous improvement:

Identify and prioritize opportunities (3).

Take action on those priorities (4).

Evaluate to confirm results (1).

Take further action if goals are not sustained (2).

This matches performance improvement processes emphasized in the CHFM Administration domain.

Cost reduction without reducing service scope can be achieved by:

Implementing an in-house first response program (1): Staff address minor issues before calling the vendor, reducing service calls.

Extending the contract length (4): Vendors often offer reduced rates for long-term contracts.

Increasing house calls (2): Increases cost, not savings.

Financing the contract (3): Impacts payment terms, not cost reduction.

Building automation system (BAS) costs are based largely on the number of control points (sensors, outputs, and monitored parameters) that must be integrated. The cost is driven by how many signals must be tracked, rather than just the square footage or vendor.

A: Gross square footage can influence scope, but cost scales with monitored points.

B: Vendor may affect pricing, but primary cost driver is point count.

C: Technology choice matters, but the quantity of control points is more significant.

EPA and OSHA define regulated medical waste (RMW) as waste that is saturated or dripping with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).

B. Blood-saturated gauze (Correct): Meets the definition of RMW.

A. Fluorescent bulbs: Considered hazardous universal waste (mercury), not RMW.

C. Urine-soaked pads: Not classified as RMW unless visibly contaminated with blood.

D. Home-use sharps: Not regulated by EPA as medical waste from households.

The outsourcing scenario matches the current in-house budget exactly; therefore, no savings are achieved. This type of financial analysis is common in the CHFM Financial Management domain.

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In healthcare facility maintenance, institutional standards are established to improve consistency, reliability, and efficiency in operations. Ball valves are often chosen over gate valves because they are available in standardized sizes, have fewer variations, and simplify inventory management. This allows facility departments to reduce the number of spare parts stocked and streamline repairs. The CHFM exam reference materials, including ASHE/AHA guidelines, highlight that “ease of inventory control and standardization” is a common justification for selecting one type of valve as a facility standard.

For electrical systems, real power (kW) is obtained by multiplying apparent power (kVA) by the power factor (PF):

kW = kVA × PF

This formula gives the average power consumed by a single-phase motor.

C. KVA × PF (Correct): Standard power equation for real power.

A. KVA / PF: Incorrect; dividing by PF would increase kVA, not convert to kW.

B. kW × PF / 1,000: Incorrect; kW already accounts for PF, and the division by 1,000 is irrelevant here.

D. amps / PF: Incomplete and not dimensionally correct.