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State and local building codes regulate the construction of all buildings, including hospitals. Most states and localities follow International Building Code standards and regulations. Hospitals must also follow federal guidelines because they receive Medicare reimbursements. The federal government complies with the National Fire Protection Association's codes. Standards for Health Care Facilities (NFPA 99) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) apply to hospitals. Walls are rated on fire resistance in time increments. Depending on the wall location, hospital walls must be rated fire resistant from two hours to thirty minutes. Drywall thickness determines fire resistance.
In 1998, the federal Office of the Inspector General issued a strong suggestion and guidelines for hospitals to create regulatory compliance programs. To assist hospitals in creating these programs, the OIG gave a framework for an action plan hospitals can use to get their compliance programs underway. There are several key elements hospital compliance planners should address when creating an action plan that meets federal standards.
Critical access hospitals are hospitals that receive reimbursement from Medicare. Medicare is a government program that gives tax-funded money to those who are 65 or older. Reimbursement helps the critical access hospitals remain in business by allowing them to cover costs. Critical access hospitals are differentiated from acute care hospitals by the different sets of requirements that they have to comply with to continue to receive Medicare reimbursement.
Healthcare organizations strive to provide safe and professional care. Hospitals receive regular visits from regulating agencies to determine compliance with state and federal rules. "Substantial compliance" refers to meeting the standards set forth by the regulating entities.
Hospital compliance training is required of all hospital workers. Compliance training encompasses all areas of hospital operations, including temporary agency workers, contractors and consulting physicians. Every hospital has a compliance plan, implemented by their compliance officer for training guidelines and information on complying with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and policies and procedures. Training coordinators on each unit assign and check for completion of compliance training, which employee access via the hospital's intranet website. Hospital staff only completes compliance training in direct relation to their area of service. For example, nurses would not need training in…
