Starting a Nursing Home
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Regulations and Guidelines
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The U.S. Health and Human Services Department's Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the leading agency for regulations and guidelines for operating a nursing home. An individual must possess strong knowledge of these regulations, which include nursing qualifications, patient assessments, facilities, treatment, nutritional and pharmaceutical requirements, and maintaining the dignity of the patient.
Qualifications and Licensing
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An individual starting a nursing home must have certain qualifications and licensing, such as a nursing home administrator license from his state's Health Licensing Board. States also require staff, such as nurses and doctors, to be licensed at all times when dealing with patients. A state's Health Licensing Board and Division of Nursing Home Monitoring is responsible for licensing staff personnel. Nursing homes must have full-time registered nurses, certified nurse assistants and medical doctors on staff at all times. Personnel hired need to have valid licenses and be in good standing with the licensing board.
Zoning and Permits
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Nursing home buildings may be subject to a community's local zoning ordinances, such as providing shaded and outdoor areas for patients to enjoy outdoor activities. The Health Facilities Engineering Section in the applicable state will review architectural plans for a new building construction or for the remodeling of an existing building. A construction permit must be issued by the same agency before any work begins, and a permit can be obtained from Health Facilities Engineering Section of the Division of Health Facilities and Services.
Safety Regulations
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Safety regulations, such as handicapped parking and wheelchair accessibility, are required in addition to smoke alarm installation and the use of nonreflective and nonslip floors. The nursing home will also need to have proper security, restricted access areas and spaces for hazardous waste. Entry and exit needs to be restricted to avoid residents from leaving or being outside of the building unsupervised.
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