Hospice Facilities Rules

Pursuant to GS 150B-21.3A, Periodic Review and Expiration of Existing Rules, all rules are reviewed at least every 10 years, or they shall expire. As a result of the periodic review of Subchapter 10A NCAC 13K, Hospice Licensing Rules, these 13 rules were part of the 18 rules that were determined as “Necessary With Substantive Public Interest," requiring readoption, in addition, three rules are proposed for amendment.  

Substantive changes have been made to the physical plant requirements for the proposed hospice facilities rules for hospice residential care.  The revisions include resident care area requirement reorganization and clarification; clarification of the submission process of plans and specifications for construction or remodeling; reference removal to the N.C. State Building Code for plumbing and specification of the water heater capacity; clarification of the requirements for sewage and refuse disposal, and protection from vermin; clarification of physical plant application requirements; organization and clarification of the requirements for granting an equivalency, and for code or rule application when conflicts in code or rule occur. In addition, technical changes were made in the rules.

Substantive changes have been made to the physical plant requirements for the proposed hospice facilities rules for hospice inpatient care.  The revisions include addition and removal of rule referral by reference exceptions; reorganization of rule requirements to be similar with the Licensing of Nursing Home Rules in 10A NCAC 13D for the patient care area, heating and air conditioning, emergency electrical service, and application of physical plant requirements; reorganization and clarification of the requirements for furnishings; requirement removal enforced by the N.C. State Building Code; requirement addition for environmental and patient safety, emergency disaster plans, policies and procedures, including emergency drills; requirement addition for life safety and protection for the life safety branch of the essential electrical system; update and clarification of the electrical requirements for circuitry and call bells; reorganization, reformat, and clarification of plumbing requirements and revision of the patient area hot water temperature range; and organization and clarification of the requirements for granting an equivalency, and for code or rule application when conflicts in code or rule occur. In addition, technical changes were made in the rules.

Notification of proposed readoption and amendment of rules