Check Medicare’s latest fire safety requirements to see whether your hospice inpatient facility may be affected.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule on the requirements in the May 4 Federal Register. The rule, effective July 5, adopts the 2012 Life Safety Code requirements issued by the National Fire Protection Association for a number of facilities including hospices.
Revision: The requirement for window sills to be no higher than 36 inches above the floor is for new constructions only, CMS clarifies in the final rule at https://federalregister.gov/a/2016-10043.
Do this: “Providers should monitor how state surveyors interpret and apply the Final Rule,” advises law firm Hall Render in analysis.
