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Conn. Agencies Regs. 19-13-D (SOTS bundle)

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Public Health Code 19-13-D incl. D8t Nursing Homes

Jurisdiction: CT Agency: CT Department of Public Health
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Plain-English summary

This Connecticut Public Health Code chapter establishes licensing classifications and operating standards for a broad range of health care institutions, including short-term and long-term hospitals, chronic and convalescent nursing homes, rest homes with nursing supervision, residential care homes, home health agencies, homemaker-home health aide agencies, assisted living services agencies, and private freestanding mental health and substance use facilities. Facility operators must meet detailed requirements covering physical plant, administration, medical staff, medical records, nursing services, pharmacy, dietary services, and infection control. The chapter also defines specific institution types—including mental health day treatment, intermediate treatment, outpatient clinics, residential living centers, community residences, and substance use treatment facilities—that are subject to licensure under Connecticut General Statutes §§ 19a-490 to 19a-503. Operators may apply for deemed status if they hold current federal certification and meet specified compliance conditions.

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Regulation text
Sec. 19-13-D page 1 (1-13)
Department of Public Health
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut
CHAPTER IV
Hospitals, Child Day Care Centers and Other Institutions
and Children's General Hospitals
Institutions, classifications and definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 1
Deemed Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 1a
Operation and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 2
Short-term hospitals, general and special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 3
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 4
Short-term hospitals, children's general. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 4a
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 4b
Long-term hospitals: Chronic disease hospital . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 5
Homes for the aged and rest homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 6
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D7Ð19-13-D 7s
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D8Ð19-13-D 8s
Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nurs-
ing supervision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 8t
Intravenous therapy programs in chronic and convalescent nursing
homes and rest homes with nursing supervision . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 8u
Pharmaceutical services in chronic and convalescent nursing homes
and rest homes with nursing supervision. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 8v
Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nurs-
ing supervision with authorization to care for persons with man-
ageable psychiatric conditions as determined by a board qualified
or certified psychiatrist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D 9
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D10Ð19-13-D11
Multi-care institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D12
Long-term hospitals: Chronic and convalescent with authorization
to care for persons suffering from harmless chronic mental
unsoundness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D13
Minimum requirements for licensing maternity hospitals . . . . . 19-13-D14
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D14a
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D15Ð19-13-D39
Donation of eyes for scientific, educational or therapeutic use . . 19-13-D40
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D41Ð19-13-D43
Licensure of infirmaries operated by educational institutions . . . 19-13-D43a
Industrial health facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D44
Licensing Outpatient Clinics Operated by
Corporations or Municipalities
Definition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D45
Buildings and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D46
Sec. 19-13-D page 2 (1-13)
Department of Public Health
Governing board, administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D47
Professional staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D48
Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D49
Nursing personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D50
Pharmaceuticals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D51
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D52
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D53
Abortions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D54
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D55
Licensure of an out-patient dialysis unit and standards for in-hospital
dialysis units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D55a
Licensing of Out-Patient Surgical Facilities
Operated by Corporations
Licensing of out-patient surgical facilities operated by corporations 19-13-D56
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D57
Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D58Ð19-13-D59
Public Health Nursing Grants to Towns Having
Population of Less Than Five Thousand
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D60Ð19-13-D64
Home Health Care Agency
Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D65
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D66
Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D67
General requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D68
Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D69
Contracted services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D70
Personnel policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D71
Patient care policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D72
Patient care plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D73
Administration of medicines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D74
Quality assurance program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D76
Administrative organization and records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D77
Patients bill of rights and responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D78
Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D79
Homemaker-Home Health Aide Agency
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D80
Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D81
General requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D82
Homemaker-home health aide services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D83
Contracted services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D84
Sec. 19-13-D page 3 (3-07)
Department of Public Health
Personnel policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D85
Service policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D86
Plan of care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D87
Patient records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D88
Quality assurance program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D89
Administrative organization and records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D90
Patient's bill of rights and responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D91
Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D92
Coordination, Assessment and Monitoring Agency
Repealed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D93Ð19-13-D104
Assisted living services agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-13-D105

Sec. 19-13-D page 5 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D1
CHAPTER IV
Hospitals, Child Day Care Centers, Other Institutions
and Children's General Hospitals
Sec. 19-13-D1. Institutions, classifications and definitions
Institutions licensed under sections 19a-490 to 19a-503 inclusive and 19a-507a(3)
of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, are classified and defined as
follows:
(a) Classifications.
(1) *Short-term hospitals:
(A) General; Children's general hospitals;
(B) special;
(2) *long-term hospitals:
(A) Chronic disease;
(3) other institutions:
(A) Residential care homes;
(B) rest homes with nursing supervision;
(C) chronic and convalescent nursing homes;
(D) multi-care institutions;
(E) infirmaries operated by educational institutions for the care by a licensed
physician or licensed osteopath of students enrolled in, and faculty and employees,
of such institutions;
(F) industrial health facilities;
(G) private freestanding mental health day treatment facilities for adults;
(H) private freestanding mental health intermediate treatment facilities for adults;
(I) private freestanding mental health psychiatric outpatient clinics for adults;
(J) private freestanding mental health residential living centers;
(K) private freestanding community residences;
(L) private freestanding facilities for the care or treatment of substance abusive
or dependent persons.
(b) Definitions:
(1) short-term hospitals:
(A) General Hospita l - a short-term hospital having facilities, medical staff and
all necessary personnel to provide diagnosis, care and treatment of a wide range of
acute conditions, including injuries; Children's general hospital - a short-term hospi-
tal having facilities, medical staff and all necessary personnel to provide diagnosis,
care and treatment of a wide range of acute conditions among children, including
injuries;
(B) Special hospital - a short-term hospital having facilities, medical staff and
all necessary personnel to provide diagnosis, care and treatment of a limited special
group of acute conditions;
(C) Hospice - A short-term hospital having facilities, medical staff and necessary
personnel to provide medical, palliative, psychological, spiritual, and supportive
care and treatment for the terminally ill and their families including outpatient care
and services, home based care and services and bereavement services;
(2) Long-term hospitals: chronic disease hospital - a long-term hospital having
facilities, medical staff and all necessary personnel for the diagnosis, care and
treatment of a wide range of chronic diseases;
*Short-term and long-term classified by average length of stay (under or over thirty days).
Sec. 19-13-D page 6 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D1
(3) Other institutions:
(A) Residential care home-an institution having facilities and all necessary person-
nel to furnish food, shelter and laundry for two or more persons unrelated to the
proprietor and in addition, providing services of a personal nature which do not
require the training or skills of a licensed nurse. Additional services of a personal
nature may include assistance with bathing, help with dressing, preparation of special
diets and supervision over medications which are self-administered;
(B) Rest home with nursing supervision - an institution having facilities and all
necessary personnel to provide, in addition to personal care required in a home for
the aged, nursing supervision under medical director twenty-four hours per day;
(C) Chronic and convalescent nursing home - a long-term institution having
facilities and all necessary personnel to provide skilled nursing care under medical
supervision and direction to carry out simple, non-surgical treatment and dietary
procedures for chronic diseases, or convalescent stages of acute diseases or injuries;
(D) Multi-care institutions - an institution owned and operated by the same
licensee having in single or multiple facilities segregated units each of which are
devoted to a complexity of patient care defined in this subsection;
(E) Infirmary - a health care facility operated by an educational institution, which
provides evaluation and treatment services for routine health problems and provides
overnight accommodations of limited duration for students, faculty and employees
of such institution who are receiving short term care and treatment for noncritical
illnesses, are recovering from surgery, or require observation, and who do not require
the skills and equipment of an acute hospital;
(F) Industrial health facility - a facility established, conducted, operated or main-
tained by a commercial or industrial establishment primarily for the ambulatory
care of its employees where health services in addition to first aid are provided.
First aid means emergency treatment given by a non-medical person until medical
aid is obtained;
(G) Private freestanding mental health day treatment facility - a facility providing
evaluation, diagnosis, and ambulatory treatment services for individuals who are
experiencing mental, emotional or behavioral problems, disturbances, dysfunctions
or disorders as defined in the most recent edition of the diagnostic and statistical
manual of the American Psychiatric Association as it may be revised from time to
time and whose unit of service to each client is a minimum of four hours and a
maximum of twelve hours;
(H) Private freestanding mental health intermediate treatment facility for adults -
a facility providing evaluative, diagnostic, and treatment services in a residential
setting for individuals who are experiencing mental, emotional or behavioral prob-
lems, disturbances, dysfunctions or disorders as defined in the most recent edition
of the diagnostic and statistical manual of the American Psychiatric Association,
as it may be revised from time to time, which do not require a hospital level
of treatment;
(I) Private freestanding mental health psychiatric outpatient clinic for adults - a
facility providing evaluation, diagnosis, and ambulatory treatment, to individuals
who have mental, emotional or behavioral problems, disturbances, dysfunctions or
disorders as defined in the most recent edition of the diagnostic and statistical
manual of the American Psychiatric Association, as it may be revised from time
to time;
(J) Private freestanding mental health residential living center - a facility providing
a supervised, structured and supportive group living arrangement which includes
Sec. 19-13-D page 7 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D1a
psychosocial rehabilitation services and may also provide assistance in obtaining
necessary community services to persons in need of mental health services;
(K) Private freestanding community residence - a residence for up to eight mentally
ill adults as defined in section 19a-507a(3) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(L) Private freestanding facility for the care or treatment of substance abusive or
dependent persons - a facility providing either ambulatory chemical detoxification
treatment, or care and rehabilitation, or chemical maintenance treatment, or day or
evening treatment, or intensive treatment, or intermediate and long term treatment,
or medical triage, or outpatient treatment or residential detoxification and evaluation
to substance abusive or dependent persons.
(Effective September 25, 1990; amended September 13, 2001)
Sec. 19-13-D1a. Deemed status
(a) Any institution as defined by sections 19-576 (b) through 19-576 (f) of the
Connecticut General Statutes may apply to the department of health services to be
deemed licensable without additional inspection or investigation if said institution:
(1) Has been certified as a provider of services by the United States Department
of Health and Human Services within the immediately preceding 12 month period,
except that with respect to institutions defined in subsection 19-576 (b) of the
Connecticut General Statutes, the institution need only be currently so certified;
(2) Has not been denied a license or renewal thereof or has not had a condition
of participation found to be out of compliance at any time during the three years
immediately preceding such application;
(3) Has been inspected and investigated pursuant to ordinary license renewal
procedures at least once in the immediately preceding four years and no less than
a total of two times;
(4) Has agreed to allow the department of health services to inspect and review
any reports issued by the reviewing or accrediting agency or by the subject institution
related to the subject institution concerning certification as a provider by the depart-
ment of health and human services; and
(5) With respect to institutions as defined in subsections (c), (d), (e) and (f) of
section 19-576 of the Connecticut General Statutes, has not experienced a change
in the personnel serving as chief administrative officer or licensed administrator,
medical director, or director of nurses since the date of the immediately preceding
department of health and human services provider survey.
(b) Applications for deemed status shall be on forms provided by the department
and shall contain sufficient documentation to establish the satisfaction of the condi-
tions set forth in subsection (a) hereof.
(c) In addition to the review of all material submitted in support of an application
for deemed status, the department of health services may take the following actions
or consider the following facts and circumstances in granting or denying said appli-
cation:
(1) Joint inspections with certifying agencies or direct observation of certifica-
tion procedures;
(2) Verification of compliance with Public Health Code standards not included
in the federal conditions of participation;
(3) Review of departmental records or records of any other state department
relating to accidents, incidents, complaints, and periodic reports;
(4) With respect to institutions as defined in subsection (b) of section 19-576 of
the Connecticut General Statutes, whether such institution has experienced a change
in its chief executive officer.
Sec. 19-13-D page 8 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D1a
(d) If the applicant fully complies with the conditions set forth in section (a) and
department of health services validation does not provide a basis for denial, the
department shall grant the application for deemed status, and the license renewal
for such institution shall be issued without further inspection or verification.
(e) Nothing contained in these regulations shall be interpreted or applied so as
to limit or interfere with the right and duty of the department of health services to
enforce the Public Health Code as provided by law.
(Effective April 24, 1981)
Sec. 19-13-D2. Operation and maintenance
All hospitals licensed under sections 19-32 to 19-42 of the general statutes, as
amended, shall comply with the requirements set forth in sections 19-13-D2 to 19-
13-D12, inclusive, before a license is issued.
Sec. 19-13-D3. Short-term hospitals, general and special
(a) Physical plant.
(1) The hospital buildings shall be of sound construction and shall provide adequate
space and equipment for patient accommodations and for service and other areas,
in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Public Health. Properly
equipped diagnostic and therapeutic facilities shall be provided.
(2) The hospital buildings and equipment shall meet the requirements of the most
current Fire Safety Code pursuant to section 29-292 of the Connecticut General
Statutes. Annually, the licensee shall submit a current certificate of inspection by
the local fire marshal to the Department of Public Health.
(3) Areas in which explosive gases are used, and areas in which radioactive
materials are used, shall meet the requirements of the Department of Public Health
for adequate protection of patients and personnel.
(4) The hospital buildings and equipment shall be maintained in a good state of
repair and shall be kept clean at all times.
(5) Each hospital that provides maternity service shall have appropriate space
available and equipment for labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum care. The
hospital may configure the physical space and composition of maternity service
through:
(A) traditional obstetrical components (various rooms and locations used for each
patient); or,
(B) labor/delivery/delivery units (birthing room with separate post-partum
care); or,
(C) labor/delivery, recovery/post-partum units (single room); or,
(D) a combination of the configurations listed in subparagraphs (A) to (C) inclusive
of this subdivision.
(b) Administration.
(1) The hospital shall be managed by a governing board whose duties shall
include, as a minimum:
(A) Adoption of bylaws, rules and regulations, including medical staff bylaws;
(B) annual or biennial appointment of the medical staff;
(C) appointment of a competent hospital administrator who shall be qualified as
a result of either (i) the completion of a Master's level or doctoral level degree and
at least three years of experience in hospital management or administration, or (ii)
at least five years in hospital management or administration. These requirements
Sec. 19-13-D page 9 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D3
shall not apply to an administrator already in place as of the effective date of
this regulation.
(2) The administrator shall be responsible to the governing board for the manage-
ment and operation of the hospital and for the employment of personnel. The
administrator may attend meetings of the governing board and meetings of the
medical staff.
(3) Personnel shall be employed in sufficient numbers and of adequate qualifica-
tions that the functions of the hospital may be performed efficiently.
(c) Medical staff.
(1) There shall be an organized medical staff of not fewer than five physicians,
one of whom shall serve as a chief or president of the medical staff.
(2) The medical staff shall adopt written rules and regulations governing its own
activities, subject to approval by the governing board of the hospital. As a minimum,
these shall include:
(A) Method of control of privileges granted to members of the medical staff;
(B) method of control of clinical work;
(C) provision for regular staff conferences;
(D) appointment of a medical executive committee, or its equivalent, and other
committees as appropriate;
(E) procedure for recommending appointments to the medical staff and for hearing
complaints regarding the conduct of members and referring the same, with recom-
mendations, to the governing board.
(3) Medical staff conferences shall be held at least once each quarter, either as
general medical staff meetings or through departments. Minutes and a record of
attendance shall be kept for each such meeting.
(4) Each hospital shall have, as a minimum, the following departments: medicine,
pathology and radiology. Hospitals may operate other departments. If surgery or
obstetrics is performed in the hospital, there shall be a department of anesthesia. If
a hospital operates departments in surgery, obstetrics, psychiatry, or anesthesia, each
such department shall have a chief.
(A) Each chief shall be a licensed physician; responsible for supervising the
overall quality of his department; and qualified on the basis of postgraduate educa-
tion, equivalent training, or Board certification in the area for which the licensed
physician is chief.
(B) If there is a maternity service or if there are eight hundred or more children
under age twelve admitted to the hospital annually, there shall be a department of
pediatrics to include on the active staff at least two physicians who have completed
a residency training program approved by either the American Board of Pediatrics
or the American Board of Family Medicine and one such physician shall be desig-
nated chief of that service.
(5) Psychiatric services. There shall be at least one registered nurse or licensed
practical nurse with specialized psychiatric experience and training on duty at all
times on the service. There shall be available a licensed clinical social worker, a
registered nurse and at least one additional staff person who is qualified by education
and professional discipline to assess and develop care plan interventions pertinent
to the individual patient's needs.
(d) Medical records.
Sec. 19-13-D page 10 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D3
(1) There shall be a medical record department with adequate space, equipment
and qualified personnel, including a records manager or director who possesses
sufficient training and experience to oversee the medical records department.
(2) A medical record shall be started for each patient at the time of admission
with complete identification data and a nurse's or other licensed practitioner's
notation of condition on admission. Upon admission, an admission note and orders
of the attending or admitting physician shall be added to the medical record. The
medical record of every patient shall contain a complete history and physical exami-
nation which, except in emergencies, shall have been completed no more than seven
days prior to admission or within forty-eight hours after admission. This requirement
is satisfied if a history and physical examination was performed within thirty days
prior to the admission and updated no more than seven days prior to, or within
forty-eight hours after, the admission. The recording of the history and physical
examination shall be, except in emergencies, placed in the record prior to any surgery
and within the timeframe set forth in the hospital's policies in all other cases.
(3) All medical records shall include proper identification data; the clinical records
shall be prepared accurately and completed promptly and shall include sufficient
information including progress notes to justify the diagnosis and warrant the treat-
ment; doctor's orders, nurse's notes and all entries shall be signed or initialed by
the person making the entry. The medical records created or maintained by a hospital
do not have to comply with the requirements of section 19a-14-40 to 19a-14-44,
inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(4) If obstetrics is performed, a complete record of each case shall be kept which
shall include such items of information as may be required by the Commissioner
of Public Health and shall include all items necessary to fill out a death certificate
for the mother and all items necessary to fill out a birth certificate or a death
certificate for the baby.
(5) With respect to obstetrics, attending physicians shall provide to the hospital
an adequate summary of the patient's office prenatal record or a copy of the prenatal
record by the time of admission or, in the case of a precipitous admission, as soon
as practicable thereafter.
(6) Medical records shall be filed in an accessible manner and shall be kept for
a minimum of ten years after discharge of patients, except that original medical
records may be destroyed sooner if they are preserved by a process consistent with
current hospital industry standards. The hospital shall provide the Department of
Public Health with a list of the process or processes it uses.
(7) Medical records shall be completed within thirty days after discharge of the
patient except in unusual circumstances which shall be specified in the medical
staff rules and regulations. One of these specified circumstances shall be that the
hospital discharge summary shall be completed and shall accompany patients at the
time of discharge to another health care facility. Persistent failure by a physician
to maintain proper records of his patients, promptly prepared and completed, shall
constitute grounds for disciplinary action with respect to medical staff privileges.
(8) Informed consent. It shall be the responsibility of each hospital to assure that
the bylaws or rules and regulations of the medical staff include the requirement
that, except in emergency situations, the responsible physician shall obtain proper
informed consent as a prerequisite to any procedure or treatment for which it is
appropriate and provide evidence of consent by a form signed by the patient or a
Sec. 19-13-D page 11 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D3
written statement signed by the physician on the patient's hospital record. The extent
of information to be supplied by the physician to the patient shall include the specific
procedure or treatment, or both, the reasonably foreseeable risks, and reasonable
alternatives for care or treatment.
(9) In addition to record requirements specified for general hospitals, the medical
records for psychiatric patients shall also include an examination that shall be
recorded not more than sixty hours after admitting the patient.
(e) Nursing service.
(1) There shall be a competent nurse, licensed in Connecticut, as director of nursing
service or an equivalent position, who shall be responsible to the administrator for
nursing service in the hospital.
(2) The ratio of patients to registered nurses on duty throughout the hospital shall
at no time exceed twenty-five patients or fraction thereof to one registered nurse.
(3) The ratio of patients to all nursing staff, registered nurses, licensed practical
nurses and other nursing attendants on duty in the hospital shall not exceed seven
patients, or fraction thereof, to one from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and fifteen patients, or
fraction thereof, to one from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
(4) If there is an in-patient obstetrical department, the following shall apply:
(A) The ratio of all nursing staff to patients for obstetrical services shall be no
less than one nurse to each ten patients, or fraction thereof, on the 7am to 3pm
shift; no less than one nurse to each fifteen patients, or fraction thereof, on the 3pm
to 11pm shift; and no less than one nurse to each twenty patients, or fraction thereof,
on the 11pm to 7 am shift;
(B) there shall be at least one registered nurse on duty at all times. For obstetrical
services with a census of twenty or more patients, there shall also be a registered
nurse on duty for overall supervision of the unit;
(C) these ratios shall be calculated without inclusion of newborns or pediatric
patients.
(f) Diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. The hospital shall maintain or have
available facilities, equipment and qualified personnel, under competent medical
supervision, appropriate to the needs of the hospital in serving its patients. These
shall include, as a minimum, a clinical laboratory, blood bank, pathological services,
a radiology department and an operating room.
(g) Pharmacy.
(1) There shall be a competent pharmacist, licensed in Connecticut, who shall be
responsible to the administrator for all pharmaceutical services in the hospital. In
general and special hospitals of one hundred beds or more, he shall serve on a full-
time basis.
(2) The hospital pharmacy shall be operated in compliance with all applicable
state and federal drug laws and regulations.
(3) The premises shall be kept clean, adequately lighted, and ventilated and the
equipment and facilities appropriate for compounding, dispensing, manufacturing,
producing or processing of drugs shall be maintained in good order.
(4) Drugs used in the hospital shall meet standards established by the United
States Pharmacopoeia, The National Formulary or the Federal Food and Drug
Administration and shall be stored and kept so as to insure their proper purity and
strength. A medical staff pharmacy committee in conference with the pharmacist
shall formulate policies to control the administration of drugs. All drugs, disinfecting
Sec. 19-13-D page 12 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D3
solution and other preparations shall be distinctly and correctly labeled and kept
readily available in a location approved by the Commissioner of Public Health.
(h) Dietary service.
(1) Adequate space, equipment and qualified personnel shall be provided to ensure
proper selection, storage, preparation and serving of regular and special diets to
patients at regularly scheduled hours.
(2) Menus shall be prepared and shall meet basic nutritional needs.
(3) Methods of dishwashing and sanitizing, food handling and garbage disposal
shall comply with the requirements of the Department of Public Health.
(i) General.
(1) The hospital shall have an adequate laundry service.
(2) Adequate housekeeping and maintenance services shall be provided.
(3) Proper heat, hot water, lighting and ventilation shall be maintained at all times.
(4) There shall be a system of communication sufficient to meet the needs of
the hospital.
(5) Periodic licensure inspection shall be for the purpose of verifying that a
hospital is in compliance with state requirements for licensure. The inspection
focuses on, but is not limited to, the performance of the facility since the prior
licensure inspection. Additional inspections shall be performed as necessary to
address specific concerns or complaints relating to hospital performance or patient
care. Any article which presents evidence of any crime being committed therein
may be removed and delivered to the appropriate law enforcement official or the
state agency having jurisdiction according to law.
(6) The management, personnel, equipment, facilities, sanitation and maintenance
of the hospital shall be such as reasonably to ensure the health, comfort and safety
of the patients at all times.
(7) When a patient appears to have ceased all vital bodily functions irreversibly,
the body shall be moved promptly to an otherwise unoccupied room in the same
institution pending pronouncement of death pursuant to section 7-62b of the Connect-
icut General Statutes. The facility shall make available a room which will provide
for the dignified holding of the body of the deceased person, where it will not be
exposed to the view of patients or visitors. The room so designated may be used
for other purposes when not required for this purpose.
(8) Services may be furnished under contract, including but not limited to
shared services.
(j) Emergencies.
(1) Provision shall be made to maintain essential services during disaster and
similar emergency situations.
(2) Each general hospital shall be organized in such a way as to provide adequate
care for persons with acute emergencies at all hours.
(3) In a city or town with two or more hospitals, the operation by one such
hospital, under a mutual agreement, acceptable to the Connecticut Department of
Public Health, of an emergency room twenty-four hours a day shall be considered
satisfactory compliance with this section; in other hospitals arrangements shall be
made to operate an emergency room twenty-four hours a day with a physician to
be available within twenty minutes of the call to the physician.
(k) Maternity service. The following procedures shall be carried out for each
case admitted to a maternity service.
Sec. 19-13-D page 13 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D3
(1) For each maternity patient, her attending physician shall provide to the hospital
a statement of compliance with Section 19a-90 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(2) Before removal from the delivery room, each newborn infant shall be marked
using an appropriate identification method which shall remain with the child at all
times while the child is in the hospital.
(3) Subject to the exceptions provided in Section 19a-219 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, the physician in attendance at the birth of any infant, or the
physician's designated agent, shall instill into the eyes of such infant, immediately
after birth, one or two drops of a prophylactic solution approved by the Department of
Public Health for the purpose of preventing inflammation of the eyes of the newborn.
(4) Any indication of postpartum maternity infection shall be reported immediately
to the physician responsible for the care of the patient, and in addition, to the
physician responsible for the care of the newborn infant of such maternity patient.
Any obstetrical patient with any infection which may be contagious shall be isolated
from other maternity patients. Any infant showing evidence of infection of any kind
or any infant exposed to an infected mother shall be isolated from other infants, in
a manner approved by the Commissioner of Public Health.
(l) Infection control. The hospital shall provide a sanitary environment to avoid
sources and transmission of infections and communicable diseases. There shall be
an active program for the surveillance, prevention, control and investigation of
infections and communicable diseases.
(1) The hospital shall designate a person or persons as infection control officer(s)
who is a physician, or an individual qualified in infection control through education
or experience to develop and implement policies governing control of infections
and communicable diseases:
(A) The infection control officer(s) shall develop a system for identifying,
reporting, investigating and controlling infections and communicable diseases of
patients and personnel;
(B) The infection control officer(s) shall maintain a log of incidents related to
infections and communicable diseases.
(2) The infection control officer(s), in conjunction with the hospital administrator,
medical staff, and director of nursing, shall:
(A) ensure that the hospital-wide quality assurance program and training programs
address problems identified by the infection control officer(s); and
(B) be responsible for the implementation of corrective action plans in identified
problem areas.
(3) The infection control program shall hold monthly meetings, chaired by a
physician qualified in and with a special interest in infection control to:
(A) review information obtained from day-to-day surveillance activities of the
program;
(B) review and revise existing standards; and
(C) report to the medical executive committee and/or other hospital committees
as appropriate about its activities.
(4) The minutes of the meetings shall document the review and evaluation of the
data and the development and revision of measures for control of infection. These
records shall be available to the State Department of Public Health for review.
(Effective March 19, 1987; amended March 30, 2004, August 3, 2007)
Sec. 19-13-D page 14 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D4
Sec. 19-13-D4.
Repealed, July 26, 1973.
Sec. 19-13-D4a. Short-term hospitals, Children's General
(a) Physical plant. (1) The hospital buildings shall be of sound construction and
shall provide adequate space and equipment for patient accommodations and for
service and other areas, in accordance with the requirements of the state department
of health. Properly equipped diagnostic and therapeutic facilities shall he provided.
(2) The hospital buildings and equipment shall meet the requirements of the state
fire safety code. (Reg. 29-40-1 et seq.) Annual application for a license shall be
accompanied by a certificate of inspection by the local fire marshal. (3) Areas in
which explosive gases are used, and areas in which radioactive materials are used,
shall meet the requirements of the state department of health for adequate protection
Sec. 19-13-D page 15 (11-04)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D4a
of patients and personnel. (4) The hospital buildings and equipment shall be main-
tained in a good state of repair and shall be kept clean at all times.
(b) Administration. (1) The hospital shall be managed by a governing board
whose duties shall include, as a minimum: (A) Adoption of bylaws, rules and
regulations, including medical staff bylaws; (B) annual appointment of the medical
staff; (C) appointment of an administrator who shall he qualified as a result of the
completion of postgraduate training approved by the Association of University
Programs in Hospital Administration or three years experience as an assistant admin-
istrator under an administrator whose qualifications for such training are approved
by the public health council; (D) establishment of a joint conference committee
composed of an equal number of representatives of the governing board and of the
medical staff, and the administrator of the hospital. (2) The administrator shall be
responsible to the governing board for the management and operation of the hospital
and for the employment of personnel. He shall attend meetings of the governing
board and meetings of the medical staff and shall be a member of the joint conference
committee. (3) Personnel shall be employed in sufficient numbers and of adequate
qualifications that the functions of the hospital may be performed efficiently.
(c) Medical staff. (1) There shall be an organized medical staff of not fewer than
five physicians, one of whom shall serve as a chief or president of the medical staff.
(2) The medical staff shall adopt written rules and regulations governing its own
activities, subject to approval by the governing board of the hospital. As a minimum,
these shall include: (A) Method of control of privileges granted to members of the
medical staff; (B) method of control of clinical work; (C) provision for regular staff
conferences; (D) regulations for preparation of medical records; (E) appointment
of committees to include medical record committee (or medical audit committee),
representatives to joint conference committee and others as necessary; (F) procedures
for recommending appointments to the medical staff and for hearing complaints
regarding the conduct of members and referring the same, with recommendations,
to the governing board. (3) Medical staff conferences shall be held once each month
or more frequently. If all clinical groups hold departmental conferences at least
monthly, general staff conferences may be less frequent but there shall be a minimum
of four each year, and each physician on the active staff shall be required to attend
a minimum of ten departmental or general staff meetings or a combination thereof
each year. Conferences shall be planned to implement improved service to patients
and shall be devoted primarily to thorough review and analysis of clinical work
and discussion of interesting cases. All meetings shall be attended by at least fifty
percent of the active staff members. Minutes and a record of attendance shall be
kept. (4) Qualifications of certain department heads: (A) If surgery is performed in
the hospital, there shall be a department of surgery under the overall direction of a
chief who shall be responsible for supervising the quality of all surgical procedures
performed. Such chief shall be a physician qualified on the basis of postgraduate
approved training or equivalent experience or a combination of both; (B) if surgery
is performed, there shall be a department of anesthesiology under the overall direction
of a chief who shall be responsible for supervising the adequacy of anesthesia given.
Such chief shall be a physician qualified on the basis of approved postgraduate
training or equivalent experience or a combination of both; (C) there shall be
departments of pathology, pediatrics and radiology, each of which will be under
the overall direction of a chief who shall be responsible for supervising the quality
of service given. Such chief shall be a physician qualified on the basis of postgraduate
approved training or experience, or a combination of both; (D) Psychiatric services:
Sec. 19-13-D page 16 (11-04)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D4a
When there is an inpatient psychiatric service there shall be a department of psychia-
try under the overall supervision of a chief who shall be a physician qualified on
the basis of certification by the American Board of Psychiatry or with sufficient
postgraduate psychiatric residency training or experience or combination thereof to
be eligible to take the examinations of that board. In addition to record requirements
specified for general hospitals, the medical records for psychiatric patients shall
also include a psychiatric examination recorded within seven days of admission of
the patient. The ratio of registered nurses and other nursing personnel on duty shall
conform to the requirements in the rest of the hospital, provided where possible
there shall be at least one nurse with specialized psychiatric experience and provided
there shall not be less than one registered nurse or one licensed practical nurse on
duty at all times on the service. If the nurse in charge is a licensed practical nurse,
such nurse shall have had specialized psychiatric training. There shall be available
a qualified social worker, a qualified psychologist and at least one activity worker,
preferably a registered occupational therapist wherever possible. Statistical reports
of psychiatric admissions and discharges and any sudden deaths shall be made to
the department of mental health.
(d) Medical records.
(1) There shall be a medical record department with adequate space, equipment
and qualified personnel, to include at least one registered record librarian or a person
with equivalent training and experience, in a hospital of one hundred beds or over.
(2) A medical record shall be started for each patient at the time of admission
with complete identification data and a nurse ’s notation of condition on admission.
To this shall be added immediately an admission note and orders by the attending
or a resident physician. A complete history and physical examination shall be
recorded by the physician within twenty-four hours of admission and always before
surgery, except in cases of unusual emergency.
(3) All medical records shall include proper identification data; the clinical records
shall be prepared accurately and completed promptly by the physicians and shall
include sufficient information to justify the diagnosis and warrant the treatment;
doctor’s orders, nurse ’s notes and charts shall be kept current in an acceptable
manner; all entries shall be signed by the person responsible for them.
(4) Medical records other than nurse’s notes shall be filed in an accessible manner
in the hospital and shall be kept for a minimum of twenty-five years after discharge
of patients, except that original medical records may be destroyed sooner if they
are microfilmed by a process approved by the state department of health.
(5) Medical records shall be completed within thirty days after discharge of the
patient except in unusual circumstances which shall be specified in the medical
staff rules and regulations. Persistent failure by a physician to maintain proper
records of his patients, promptly prepared and completed, shall constitute grounds
for suspending or withdrawing his medical staff privileges.
(6) For patients transferred to a nursing home a transcript of the medical examina-
tion and a summary of significant laboratory and x-ray findings, diagnosis and
suggested treatment shall accompany the patient.
(e) Nursing service. (1) There shall be a competent nurse as director of nursing
service, registered in Connecticut, with specialized training or experience in pediatric
nursing, who shall be responsible to the administrator for nursing service in the
hospital. (2) The ratio of patients to registered nurses on duty on an individual
nursing unit shall be one to twenty patients or fraction thereof. (3) The ratio of
patients to all nursing staff, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other
Sec. 19-13-D page 17 (1-13)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D4b
nursing attendants on duty in the hospital shall not exceed seven patients, or fraction
thereof, to one from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven patients, or fraction thereof, to one
from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and fifteen patients, or fraction thereof, to one from 11
p.m. to 7 a.m.
(f) Diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. Facilities, equipment and qualified
personnel, under competent medical supervision, shall be provided for necessary
diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, adequate for the needs of the hospital. These
shall include, as a minimum, a clinical laboratory, pathology services, a radiology
department and an operating room.
(g) Pharmacy. (1) There shall be a competent pharmacist, registered in Connecti-
cut, who shall be responsible to the administrator for all pharmaceutical services in
the hospital. In general and special hospitals of one hundred beds or more, he shall
serve on a full-time basis. (2) The hospital pharmacy shall be operated in compliance
with all applicable state and federal drug laws and regulations. (3) The premises
shall be kept clean, adequately lighted, and ventilated, and the equipment and
facilities necessary for compounding, dispensing, manufacturing, producing or pro-
cessing of drugs shall be maintained in good order. (4) Drugs used in the hospital
shall meet standards established by the United States Pharmacopeia, The National
Formulary or the Federal Food and Drug Administration and shall be stored and
kept so as to insure their proper purity and strength. A medical staff pharmacy
committee in conference with the pharmacist shall formulate policies to control the
administration of toxic or dangerous drugs with specific reference to the duration
of the order and the dosage.
(h) Dietary Service. (1) Adequate space, equipment and qualified personnel shall
be provided to ensure proper selection, storage, preparation and serving of regular
and special diets to patients at regularly scheduled hours. (2) Menus shall be posted
and shall meet state department of health requirements for basic nutritional needs.
(3) Methods of dishwashing and sanitizing, food handling and garbage disposal
shall comply with the requirements of the state department of health.
(i) General. (1) The hospital shall have an adequate laundry service. This may
be provided within the hospital or purchased outside the hospital. (2) Adequate
housekeeping and maintenance services shall be provided. (3) Proper heat, hot water,
lighting and ventilation shall be maintained at all times. (4) There shall be a system
of communication sufficient to meet the needs of the hospital. (5) Other departments,
professional and service, shall be provided as necessary to the size and scope of
the hospital. (6) The management, personnel, equipment, facilities, sanitation and
maintenance of the hospital shall be such as reasonably to ensure the health, comfort
and safety of the patients at all times. (7) Reports of suicides or accidents or injuries
which may result in a permanent defect, scar or handicap shall be made to the state
department of health within twenty-four hours.
(j) Emergencies. Provision shall be made to maintain essential services during
disaster and similar emergency situations.
(Effective April 4, 1972; amended August 27, 2004)
Sec. 19-13-D4b.
Repealed, July 31, 2012.
Sec. 19-13-D pages 18 through 36 (1-13)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D4b
EDITOR'S NOTE: Pages 18 through 36 of Section 19-13-D are left blank by the
repeal of Section 19-13-D4b on July 31, 2012, and are intentionally omitted.
Sec. 19-13-D page 37 (1-13)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D5
Sec. 19-13-D5. Long-term hospitals: Chronic disease hospital
(a) Physical plant. (1) The hospital buildings shall be of sound construction and
shall provide adequate space and equipment for patient accommodations and for
service and other areas, in accordance with the requirements of the state department
of health. Properly equipped diagnostic and therapeutic facilities shall be provided.
(2) The hospital buildings and equipment shall meet the requirements of the state
fire safety code. (Reg. 29-40-1 et seq.) Annual application for a license shall be
accompanied by a certificate of inspection by the local fire marshal. (3) Areas in
which explosive gases are used, and areas in which radioactive materials are used,
shall meet the requirements of the state department of health for adequate protection
of patients and personnel. (4) The hospital buildings and equipment shall be main-
tained in a good state of repair and shall be kept clean at all times.
(b) Administration. (1) The hospital shall be managed by a governing board
whose duties shall include, as a minimum: (A) Adoption of bylaws, rules and
regulations, including medical staff bylaws; (B) annual appointment of the medical
staff; (C) appointment of a competent hospital administrator; (D) establishment of
Sec. 19-13-D page 38 (11-04)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D5
a joint conference committee composed of an equal number of representatives of
the governing board and of the medical staff, and the administrator of the hospital.
(2) The administrator shall be responsible to the governing board for the management
and operation of the hospital and for the employment of personnel. He shall attend
meetings of the governing board and meetings of the medical staff and shall be a
member of the joint conference committee. (3) Personnel shall be employed in
sufficient numbers and of adequate qualifications that the functions of the hospital
may be performed efficiently.
(c) Medical staff. (1) There shall be an organized medical staff of not fewer than
five physicians, one of whom shall serve as a chief or president of the medical staff.
(2) The medical staff shall adopt written rules and regulations governing its own
activities, subject to approval by the governing board of the hospital. As a minimum,
these shall include: (A) Method of control of privileges granted to members of the
medical staff; (B) method of control of clinical work; (C) provision for regular staff
conferences; (D) regulations for preparation of medical records; (E) appointment
of committees, to include medical record committee (or medical audit committee),
representatives to joint conference committee and others as necessary; (F) procedure
for recommending appointments to the medical staff and for hearing complaints
regarding the conduct of members and referring the same, with recommendations,
to the governing board. (3) Medical staff conferences shall be held once each month
or more frequently. If all clinical groups hold departmental conferences at least
monthly, general staff conferences may be less frequent, but there shall be a minimum
of four each year. Conferences shall be planned to implement improved service to
patients and shall be devoted primarily to thorough review and analysis of clinical
work and discussion of interesting cases. All meetings shall be attended by at least
seventy-five per cent of the active staff members. Minutes and a record of attendance
shall be kept.
(d) Medical records.(1) There shall be a medical record department with adequate
space, equipment and qualified personnel, to include at least one registered record
librarian or a person with equivalent training and experience, in a hospital of one
hundred beds or over. (2) A medical record shall be started for each patient at the time
of admission with complete identification data and a nurse's notation of condition on
admission. To this shall be added immediately an admission note and orders by the
attending or a resident physician. A complete history and physical examination shall
be recorded by the physician within twenty-four hours of admission and always
before surgery, except in cases of unusual emergency. (3) All medical records shall
include proper identification data; the clinical records shall be prepared accurately
and completed promptly by physicians and shall include sufficient information to
justify the diagnosis and warrant the treatment; doctors' orders, nurses' notes and
charts shall be kept current in an acceptable manner; all entries shall be signed by
the person responsible for them. (4) Medical records shall be filed in an accessible
manner in the hospital and shall be kept for a minimum of twenty-five years after
discharge of patients, except that original medical records may be destroyed sooner
if they are microfilmed by a process approved by the state department of health.
(5) Medical records shall be completed within fourteen days after discharge of the
patient except in unusual circumstances which shall be specified in the medical
staff rules and regulations. Persistent failure by a physician to maintain proper
records of his patients, promptly prepared and completed, shall constitute grounds
for suspending or withdrawing his medical staff privileges.
(e) Nursing service. (1) There shall be competent nurse as director of nursing
service, registered in Connecticut, who shall be responsible to the administration
Sec. 19-13-D page 39 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D5
for nursing service in the hospital. (2) The ratio of patients to registered nurses on
duty throughout the hospital shall at no time exceed thirty patients, or fraction
thereof, to one registered nurse from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; thirty-five patients, or fraction
thereof, to one registered nurse from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and forty-five patients, or
fraction thereof, to one registered nurse from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. (3) The ratio of
patients to all nursing staff, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other
nursing attendants on duty in the hospital, shall not exceed ten patients, or fraction
thereof, to one from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; twelve patients, or fraction thereof, to one
from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and fifteen patients, or fraction thereof, to one from 11
p.m. to 7 a.m.
(f) Diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. Facilities, equipment and qualified
personnel, under competent medical supervision, shall be provided for necessary
diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, adequate for the needs of the hospital. These
shall include, as a minimum, a clinical laboratory and radiological services as
approved by the state department of health. Provision for surgical and pathological
services, if not available in the hospital, shall be made by affiliation with a hospital
qualified to render such services.
(g) Pharmacy: (1) There shall be a competent pharmacist, registered in Connecti-
cut, who shall be responsible to the administrator for all pharmaceutical services in
the hospital. In chronic disease and rehabilitation hospitals with more than one
hundred beds, he shall serve on a full-time basis.
(2) The hospital pharmacy shall be operated in compliance with all applicable
state and federal drug laws and regulations.
(3) The premises shall be kept clean, adequately lighted, and ventilated and the
equipment and facilities necessary for compounding, dispensing, manufacturing,
producing or processing of drugs shall be maintained in good order.
(4) Drugs used in the hospital shall meet standards established by the United
States Pharmacopeia, The National Formulary or the Federal Food and Drug Admin-
istration and shall be stored and kept so as to insure their proper purity and strength. A
medical staff pharmacy committee in conference with the pharmacist shall formulate
policies to control the administration of toxic or dangerous drugs with specific
reference to the duration of the order and dosage.
(h) Dietary service. (1) Adequate space, equipment and qualified personnel shall
be provided to ensure proper selection, storage, preparation and serving of regular
and special diets to patients at regularly scheduled hours.
(2) Menus shall be prepared and posted and shall meet state department of health
requirements for basic nutritional needs.
(3) Methods of dishwashing and sanitizing, food handling and garbage disposal
shall comply with the requirements of the state department of health.
(i) General. (1) The hospital shall have an adequate laundry service. This may
be provided within the hospital or purchased outside the hospital.
(2) Adequate housekeeping and maintenance services shall be provided.
(3) Proper heat, hot water, lighting and ventilation shall be maintained at all times.
(4) There shall be a system of communication sufficient to meet the needs of
the hospital.
(5) Other departments, professional and service, shall be provided as necessary
to the size and scope of the hospital.
(6) The management, personnel, equipment, facilities, sanitation and maintenance
of the hospital shall be such as reasonably to ensure the health, comfort and safety
of the patients at all times.
Sec. 19-13-D page 40 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D5
(7) When a patient ceases to breathe and has no detectable pulse or blood pressure,
the body shall be moved promptly to an otherwise unoccupied room in the same
institution pending pronouncement of death by a physician who has personally
viewed the body as required in section 7-62 of the General Statutes. The facility
shall make available a room which will provide for the dignified holding of the
body of the deceased person where it will not be exposed to the view of patients
or visitors. The room so designated may be used for other purposes when not
required for this purpose.
(j) Emergencies. Provision shall be made to maintain essential services during
emergency situations.
(k) Special conditions. (1) Adequate facilities, equipment and qualified personnel
under competent medical supervision shall be provided for diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures necessary for the care of patients with a wide range of chronic diseases.
(2) Provision shall be made for physical and occupational therapy and for super-
vised recreational activities.
(l) Infection control. (1) Purpose. Each long-term hospital, chronic disease hospi-
tal including state facilities shall develop an infection prevention, surveillance, and
control program which shall have as its purpose the protection of patients and
personnel from hospital-associated infections and community-associated infections
in patients admitted to the hospital.
(2) Authority. The hospital's regulations governing the structure and function of
this program shall be approved by, and become a part of the bylaws or rules and
regulations of, the medical staff of the hospital. The authority for this program shall
be delegated to a hospital infection control committee which shall report on its
activities with recommendations on a regular basis to the medical executive commit-
tee for its consideration and action.
(3) Committee membership. The membership of this committee shall include
physicians from each major clinical department, representatives from the nursing
service, pharmacy, laboratory, hospital administration, inhalation and physical ther-
apy departments; and as appropriate a representative of the departments of central
supply, dietary, laundry, housekeeping and the local health director.
(4) Committee function. The infection control committee shall (a) adopt working
definitions of hospital associated infections; (b) develop standards for surveillance
of incidence of nosocomial infection and conditions predisposing to infection; (c)
develop a mechanism for monitoring and reporting infections in patients and environ-
mental conditions with infection potential; (d) develop a mechanism for evaluation
of infection and environmental infection potential, including identification wherever
possible of hospital-associated infections and periodic review of the clinical use of
antibiotics in patient care; (e) develop control measures including isolation policy,
aseptic techniques, and a personnel health program.
(5) Chairman. The chairman of the hospital infection control committee shall be
a physician or health care professional qualified by education or experience and
with a special interest in, infection control.
(6) Coordinator. There shall be an individual employed by the hospital qualified
by education or experience in infection prevention, surveillance, and control who
shall conduct these aspects of the program as directed by the hospital infection
control committee. This individual shall be directly responsible to, and be a member
of, the infection control committee. This individual shall make a monthly report to
this committee. The time allotted to this position shall be in accordance with current
national and professional standards.
Sec. 19-13-D page 41 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
(7) Meetings. The infection control committee shall meet at least monthly. As a
minimum, it shall (a) review information obtained from day-to-day surveillance
activities of the program; (b) review and revise existing standards; (c) report to the
medical executive committee.
(8) Education. There shall be regular in-service education programs regarding
infection prevention, surveillance, and control for all appropriate hospital personnel,
documentation of these programs shall be available to the state department of health
for review.
(9) Records. The minutes of the committee shall document the review and evalua-
tion of these data and the development and revision of measures for control of
infection. These records shall be available to the state department of health for review.
(Effective December 1, 1977)
Sec. 19-13-D6. Homes for the aged and rest homes
(a) Definitions. as used in this section.
(1) ``Administration of medication'' means the direct application of a medication
by inhalation, ingestion or any other means to the body of a person;
(2) ``Advanced practice registered nurse'' means an individual licensed pursuant
to subsection (b) of section 20-94a of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(3) ``Authorized prescriber'' means a physician, dentist, physician assistant or
advanced practice registered nurse;
(4) ``Certification'' means written authorization issued by the Connecticut League
For Nursing or other department approved certifying organization to a person to
administer medications.
(5) ``Certified unlicensed personnel'' means any program staff person who has
completed a training program and successfully completed a written examination and
practicum administered by the Connecticut League For Nursing or other department
approved certifying organization;
(6) ``Commissioner'' means the Commissioner of Public Health or the Commis-
sioner's designated representative;
(7) ``Continuing education'' means attendance at classes, seminars, workshops,
conferences or forums, or other documented activities that improve one's knowledge,
skills and abilities;
(8) ``Department'' means the Department of Public Health or any duly authorized
representative thereof;
(9) ``Medication'' means any medicinal preparation including controlled sub-
stances, as defined in section 21a-240 of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(10) ``Medication error'' means failure to administer medication to a person, or
failure to administer medication within one (1) hour of the time designated by the
prescribing practitioner, or failure to administer the specific medication prescribed
for a person, or failure to administer the medication by the correct route, or failure
to administer the medication according to generally accepted medical practices, or
failure to administer the correct dosage of medication;
(11) ``Physician'' means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed to practice
medicine in this or another state;
(12) ``Physician assistant'' means an individual licensed pursuant to section 20-
12b of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(13) ``Program staff'' means those persons responsible for the direct care of
the residents;
Sec. 19-13-D page 42 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
(14) ``Registered nurse'' means a person with a license to practice as a registered
nurse in Connecticut in accordance with chapter 378 of the Connecticut General
Statutes;
(15) ``Registered pharmacist'' means a person with a license to practice as a
registered pharmacist in Connecticut in accordance with Section 20-590 of the
Connecticut General Statutes;
(16) ``Resident'' means any person receiving care in the residential care home;
(17) ``Residential Care Home'' means an institution that is licensed pursuant to
section 19a-490 (c) of the Connecticut General Statutes having facilities and all
necessary personnel to furnish food, shelter and laundry for two or more persons
unrelated to the proprietor and in addition, providing services of a personal nature
which do not require the training or skills of a licensed nurse. Additional services
of a personal nature may include assistance with bathing, help with dressing, prepara-
tion of special diets and supervision over medications which are self-administered,
or the administration of medications pursuant to subsection 19-13-D6 (m)(2) of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;
(18) ``Significant medication error'' means a medication error, which is potentially
serious or has serious consequences for a resident, such as, but not limited to, the
administration of medication by the wrong route; for which the resident has a known
allergy; which was given in a lethal or toxic dosage; or which causes serious medical
problems resulting from the error; and
(19) ``Staff'' means personnel including volunteers who provide a service at a
residential care home.
(b) Physical plant. A. General. Newly constructed facilities shall contain all the
elements described herein and shall be built in accordance with the construction
requirements outlined. Should there be a change of ownership of the facility, these
standards shall be applicable insofar as existing structures physically permit. New
additions and renovations to existing facilities shall be built in accordance with
these standards. A safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment is a basic requirement
for residents in the facility. If day care programs are to be incorporated in this
building, additional supportive facilities shall be provided to accommodate the
program. At no time shall any program reduce the minimum services required for
this licensed facility.
(1) Site. (a) The site shall be away from nuisances or foreseeable future nuisances
detrimental to the proposed project's program, such as industrial development, or
other types of facilities that produce noise, air pollution or foreign odors.
(b) No facility of more than one-hundred and twenty (120) beds shall be con-
structed without public water and sanitary sewers.
(c) The building shall be of sound construction and provide an adequate mainte-
nance program to ensure that the interior, the exterior and the grounds of the building
are clean and orderly. All essential mechanical, plumbing, and electrical equipment
for resident accommodations shall be in accordance with the requirements of the
state department of health.
(d) All plans and specifications for new construction and/or alterations shall be
submitted to and approved by the state department of health prior to the start
of construction.
(e) Roads and walks shall be provided within the property lines to the main
entrance and for service, including loading and unloading space for delivery trucks.
Adequate off-street paved and lined parking stalls shall be provided at the ratio of
one for each three residents.
Sec. 19-13-D page 43 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
(f) There shall be open outdoor area adjacent to the facility with a minimum of
one-hundred (100) square feet per resident. This area shall consist of lawn and
plantings and shall not be obstructed by other structures or paved parking areas,
roads or sidewalks.
(2) Code. (a) Every building hereafter constructed or converted for use, in whole
or in part, as a home for aged and rest home shall comply with the requirements
of the Basic Building Code, an prepared by the Public Works Department, State of
Connecticut; except as such matters are otherwise provided in the rules and regula-
tions authorized for promulgation under the provisions of the Basic Building Code.
(b) In addition to the state of Connecticut Basic Building Code, all homes for
aged and rest homes must comply with the State of Connecticut Fire Safety Code,
the National Fire Protection Association - 101 Life Safety Code, the State of Connect-
icut Labor Laws, local fire safety codes, zoning ordinances, and in cases where
private water supply and/or sewerage is required, written approval of the local
health officer and environmental health services division of the state of Connecticut
department of health must be obtained. Only the most current code or regulation
and the most stringent shall be used.
(3) Minimum services required. (a) Lobby, with visitors' toilet rooms (to include
facilities for each sex) and public telephone.
(b) Business or administration office.
(c) Resident rooms (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), B.)
(d) Resident baths (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), C.)
(e) Resident toilet rooms (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), D.)
(f) Resident lounge or sitting room (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), E.)
(g) Resident dining and recreation rooms (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), F.)
(h) Resident recreation area (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), G.)
(i) Dietary facilities (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), H.)
(j) Central storage room (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), I.)
(k) Laundry (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), J.)
(l) Employees' facilities (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), K.)
(m) Details of construction (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), L.)
(n) Mechanical system (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), M.)
(o) Electrical system (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), N.)
(p) Emergency electric service (see Sec. 19-13-D6 (b), O.)
(q) Provision for holding expired persons (adequately sized and ventilated space
in unobjectionable location).
B. Resident rooms. Each resident room shall meet the following minimum
requirements:
(1) Net minimum room clear floor area exclusive of closets, toilet rooms, lockers
or wardrobes and vestibule shall be one-hundred and fifty (150) square feet in single
rooms and one-hundred and twenty-five (125) square feet per bed in multi-bed
rooms. Minimum dimensions of rooms shall not be less than eleven feet (11 ′).
(2) No resident room shall be designed to permit more than two (2) beds.
(3) Windows. Sills shall not be higher than three feet (3 ′) above the finished
floor. Insulated window glass or approved storm windows shall be provided.
(4) The room furnishing for each resident room shall include a bed with a firm
water-proof mattress, bedside stand, reading light, dresser or bureau with mirror
and one (1) comfortable chair
(5) Each resident's wardrobe or closet shall have a minimum clear dimension of
one foot-ten inches deep by one foot-eight inches wide (1 ′10″ deep by 1 ′8″ wide)
with full length hanging space, clothes rod and shelf.
Sec. 19-13-D page 44 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
(6) All resident rooms shall open to a common corridor (sheltered path of egress)
which leads directly to the outside.
(7) Doors shall be three feet (3 ′) wide and swing into the room.
(8) Ceiling height shall not be less than eight feet (8 ′) above the finished floor.
(9) A resident unit shall be twenty-five (25) beds or fraction thereof.
C. Resident baths. Resident baths shall have one (1) separate shower or one (1)
separate bathtub for each eight (8) beds not individually served. There shall be at
least one (1) separate bathtub and one (1) separate shower in each resident unit.
Grab bars shall be provided at all bathing fixtures. Each bathtub or shower enclosure
in a central bathing area shall provide space for the private use of the bathing fixture
and for dressing. Showers in central bathing areas shall not be less than four (4)
square feet without curbs. Soap dishes in showers and bathrooms shall be recessed.
D. Resident toilet rooms. (1) A toilet room with lavatory shall be directly accessible
from each resident room and from each central bathing area without going through
the general corridor. One (1) toilet room may serve two (2) resident rooms but not
more than four (4) beds.
(2) Grab bars shall be provided at all waterclosets.
(3) Doors to toilet rooms shall have a minimum clear width of three feet (3 ′).
E. Resident lounge or sitting room. Each resident wing and/or floor shall contain
at least one (1) lounge area of two-hundred and twenty-five (225) square feet or
nine (9) square feet per resident, whichever is greater.
F. Resident dining and recreation rooms. (1) The total area designed for combined
residents' dining and recreation purposes shall not be less than thirty (30) square
feet per resident bed. Additional space shall be provided for non-residents if they
participate in day care programs.
(2) Areas appropriate for an activities program shall be provided which shall; (a)
be readily accessible to wheelchair visitors.
(b) be of sufficient size to accommodate equipment and permit unobstructed
movement of residents and personnel responsible for instructing and supervising res-
idents.
(c) have storage space to store equipment and supplies convenient or adjacent to
the area or areas.
(d) have toilet and handwashing facilities readily accessible.
G. Resident recreation area. (1) Recreation areas are required.
(2) Space for recreation, if separated from dining area, shall contain fifteen (15)
square feet per resident. This space shall be provided in one area. Lobby area shall
not be included in recreation space.
(3) Ten (10) square feet per resident shall be provided for outdoor porches or
paved patio areas.
H. Dietary facilities. The food service shall include space and equipment for
receiving, storage, preparation, assembling and serving food; cleaning or disposal
of dishes and garbage and space for a food service office in a facility of fifty (50)
beds or more. In addition, the following shall apply:
(1) Kitchens shall be centrally located, segregated from other areas and large
enough to allow for adequate equipment to prepare and care for food properly.
(2) Floors shall be waterproof, greaseproof, smooth and resistant to heavy wear,
with covered corners and wall junctions. There shall be floor drains located where
the most cleaning is required as in the dishwashing machine room, near the cooking
area, etc.
Sec. 19-13-D page 45 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
(3) All equipment and appliances shall be installed to permit thorough cleaning
of the equipment, the floor and the walls around them.
(4) A commercial dishwashing machine shall be provided in any facility with
twenty-five (25) or more beds. A commercial dishwashing machine shall be in a
separate room or in an area separated from the main kitchen by a partition of five
feet (5′) minimum height. There shall be adequate openings for entrance and exit
of carts. There shall be space for trucks with dirty dishes at the beginning of the
counter. For facilities of less than twenty-five (25) beds, a dishwasher is still required.
(5) Outside ventilation openings shall be screened and provide at least ten (10)
air changes per hour. A working ventilating fan is required. A strong exhaust fan
in the hood over the range and steam equipment is required. The hood shall be a
box type with straight sides and provided with a fire extinguishing system.
(6) Service pipes and lines in food cooking and preparation areas must be enclosed
and insulated.
(7) A dining section within the kitchen area is prohibited.
(8) A hand washing sink with a soap dispenser shall be provided. Single service
towels and a covered waste receptacle shall be provided in the kitchen area for the
exclusive use of kitchen personnel.
(9) A janitor's closet shall be provided with a floor receptor or service sink,
storage space for housekeeping equipment and supplies, and shall be located within
the dietary department.
(10) Food service equipment shall be arranged for efficient, safe work flow, a
separation of clean and contaminated functions and shall provide: (a) Potwashing
facilities.
(b) Refrigerated storage for at least a three-day supply of food.
(c) Dry storage for at least a three-day supply of food.
(d) Enclosed waste disposal facilities.
(e) A toilet room with lavatory conveniently accessible for dietary staff.
I. Central storage room. (1) A central storage room of not less than ten (10) square
feet per resident bed concentrated in one area shall be provided, including shelving.
(2) Storage should be located according to use and demand, but not in resi-
dents' rooms.
J. Laundry. (1) This service, if provided, shall be used exclusively for laundry
and shall be remote from resident and food service areas, be self-contained, and
shall not be accessible through any other room. The design shall provide for the
separation of clean and soiled functions and shall include: (a) Basic mechanical
services required for the installation of the laundry.
(b) A soiled linen room.
(c) A clean linen room separated from the soiled linen room.
(d) Linen cart storage space.
(e) A laundry processing room with equipment, including ironing, sufficient to
process seven days' needs within the workweek.
(f) A janitor's closet with storage space for housekeeping supplies and equipment,
and a floor receptor or service sink for the laundry area.
(g) Storage area for laundry supplies.
(2) If laundry is processed outside the facility, the facilities in subdivisions (e)
(f) and (g) need not be provided although space shall be designed in the laundry
area for future installation of these areas as needed.
(3) Each facility shall have a separate area easily accessible to the resident for a
domestic type washer and dryer for residents' personal clothing and equipped for
ironing. Coin-operated equipment shall not be provided.
Sec. 19-13-D page 46 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
(4) Facilities without city water or sanitary sewers shall not provide for commercial
laundry processing on the well or leaching system serving the domestic needs of
the facility.
K. Employees facilities. (1) Toilet rooms. A separate room for each sex shall be
provided for employees' use only. One (1) watercloset and one (1) lavatory shall
be for each twenty (20) employees of each sex up to one hundred (100) employees,
and one (1) water-closet and (1) lavatory for each additional twenty-five (25)
employees over one-hundred (100) employees. Provide one (1) urinal for nine (9)
or more males up to forty (40) employees.
(2) Locker rooms. Separate locker rooms for each sex shall be provided, with
adequate segregated space for employees' clothing and personal effects. These
lockers shall be installed in a completely divided area from the waterclosets and lava-
tories.
(3) Dining room. A separate dining room shall be provided for employee use in
the amount of fifteen (15) square feet per employee dining at one time. This dining
room shall not be included in the space requirement for any other area nor shall
serve any other purpose.
L. Details of construction. A high degree of safety for the occupants in minimizing
the incidence of accidents shall be provided. Hazards such as sharp corners shall
be avoided. All details and finishes shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Corridors shall be at least six feet (6 ′) wide.
(2) No door shall swing into the corridor.
(3) Handrails shall be provided on both sides of all corridors used by residents.
They shall have ends rounded and returned to the walls, a clear distance of one and
one-half inches (1
1/2″) between handrail and wall and a height of thirty-two inches
to thirty-four inches (32 ″ to 34″) above the finished floor.
(4) Thresholds and expansion joint covers shall be flush with the finished floor.
(5) Such items as drinking fountains, telephone booths, and vending machines
shall be located so as not to project into the required width of exit corridors.
(6) All doors to resident toilet rooms, bathrooms and shower rooms shall be
equipped with hardware which will permit access in any emergency.
(7) All doors opening to corridors shall be swing-type. Alcoves and similar spaces
which generally do not require doors are excluded from this requirement.
(8) Grab bars and accessories in resident toilet rooms, shower rooms, and bath-
rooms shall have sufficient strength and anchorage to sustain a load of two-hundred
and fifty (250) pounds for five (5) minutes.
(9) If linen and refuse chutes are used, they shall be designed as follows:
(a) Service openings to chutes shall have approved Class ``B,'' one and one-half
(1
1/2) hour fire rated doors.
(b) Service openings to chutes shall be located in a room or closet of not less
than two (2) hour fire-resistive construction, and the entrance door to such room
or closet shall be a Class ``B,'' one and one-half (1
1/2) hour fire rated door.
(c) Minimum diameter of gravity-type chutes shall be two feet (2 ′) with wash-
down device.
(d) Chutes shall terminate in or discharge directly into collection rooms separate
from laundry or other services. Separate collection rooms shall be provided for
refuse and linen. Such rooms shall be of not less than two (2) hour fire-resistive
construction and the entrance door shall be a Class ``B,'' one and one-half (1
1/2)
hour fire rated door with hardware as required by NFPA.
Sec. 19-13-D page 47 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
(e) Chutes shall extend at least four feet (4 ′) above the roof and shall be covered
by an explosive type hatch.
(f) Chutes shall be protected internally by automatic sprinklers. This will require
a sprinkler-head at the top of the chute and, in addition, a sprinkler-head shall be
installed within the chute at alternate floor levels in buildings over two (2) stories
in height. The room into which the chute discharges shall also be protected by
automatic sprinklers.
(10) Dumbwaiters, conveyors, and material handling systems shall not open into
any corridor or exitway but shall open into a room enclosed by not less than two
(2) hour fire-resistive construction. The entrance door to such room shall be a Class
``B,'' one and one-half (1
1/2) hour fire rated door.
(11) Janitor's closet. This room shall contain a floor receptor or service sink and
storage space for housekeeping supplies and equipment. One (1) janitor's closet
may serve a fifty (50) bed unit on each floor.
(12) Ceiling heights: (a) Boiler room shall be not less than two feet - six inches
(2′6″) above the main boiler header and connecting piping with adequate headroom
under piping for maintenance and access.
(b) Storage rooms, residents' toilet rooms, and other minor rooms shall be not
less than seven feet - eight inches (7 ′8″) above the finished floor.
(c) All other rooms and corridors shall be not less than eight feet (8 ′) above the
finished floor.
(13) Boiler rooms, food preparation centers, and laundries shall be insulated and
ventilated to prevent any floor surface above from exceeding a temperature of ten
degrees (10°) Fahrenheit above the ambient room temperature.
(14) Approved fire extinguishers shall be provided in recessed locations through-
out the building not more than five feet (5 ′) above the floor.
(15) For flame spread requirements, see the State of Connecticut Fire Safety Code.
(16) Floors generally shall be easily cleanable and shall have the wear resistance
appropriate for the location involved. Floors in kitchens and related spaces shall be
waterproof and greaseproof. In all areas where floors are subject to wetting, they
shall have a non-slip finish.
(17) Adjacent dissimilar floor materials shall be flush with each other to provide
an unbroken surface.
(18) Walls generally shall be washable and in the immediate area of plumbing
fixtures, the finish shall be moistureproof Wall bases in dietary areas shall be free
of spaces that can harbor insects.
(19) Ceilings generally shall be washable or easily cleanable. This requirement
does not apply to boiler rooms, mechanical and building equipment rooms, shops
and similar spaces.
(20) Ceilings shall be accoustically treated in corridors and resident occupied areas.
(21) All resident occupied rooms shall be provided with at least a one and three-
quarter inch (1
3/4″), threequarter (3/4) hour wood or metal door equal to ``C'' label
construction with metal frame and positive latching.
(22) All operable windows shall be provided with screens.
M. Mechanical system. (1) Elevators. (a) At least one elevator shall be installed
where one to fifty (1 to 50) resident beds are located on any floor other than the
main entrance floor, or where resident facilities are located on a floor other than
those containing resident beds.
(b) At least two (2) elevators shall be installed where fifty-one to one-hundred
and fifty (51 to 150) resident beds are located on floors other than the main entrance
Sec. 19-13-D page 48 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
floor, or where resident facilities are located on a floor other than those containing
resident beds.
(c) At least three (3) elevators shall be installed where one-hundred and fifty to
three-hundred and fifty (150 to 350) resident beds are located on floors other than
the main entrance floor or where resident facilities are located on a floor other than
those containing resident beds.
(d) For facilities with more than three-hundred and fifty (350) beds, the number
of elevators shall be determined from a study of the facility plan and the estimated
vertical transportation requirements.
(e) An elevator vestibule shall be provided on each floor meeting the requirements
of two (2) hour fire-resistant construction with self-closing one and one-half (1
1/2)
hour fire rated doors held open by electro-magnetic hold open devices connected
to an automatic alarm system.
(2) Steam and hot water systems. (a) Boilers shall have the capacity, based upon
the published Steel Boiler Institute or Institute of Boiler and Radiator Manufacturers'
net ratings, to supply the normal requirements of all systems and equipment. If the
licensed capacity of the facility exceeds one-hundred (100) beds, a second boiler
shall be required.
(b) Boiler feed pumps, condensate return pumps, fuel oil pumps, and circulating
pumps shall be connected and installed to provide standby service when any pump
breaks down.
(c) Supply and return mains and risers of space heating and process steam systems
shall be valved to isolate the various sections of each system. Each piece of equipment
shall be valved at the supply and return end.
(d) Boilers' and smoke breeching stacks, all steam supply piping and high pressure
steam return piping and hot water space heating supply and return piping shall
be insulated.
(3) Air conditioning, heating and ventilating systems: (a) A minimum temperature
of seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit (75 ° F.) shall be provided for all occupied areas
at winter design conditions.
(b) All air-supply and air-exhaust systems shall be mechanically operated. All
fans serving exhaust systems shall be located at or near the point of discharge from
the building.
(1) Outdoor ventilation air intakes, other than for individual room units, shall be
located as far away as practicable but not less than twenty-five feet (25 ′) from
exhausts from any ventilating system or combustion equipment. The bottom of
outdoor intakes serving central air systems shall be located as high as possible but
not less than eight feet (8 ′) above the ground level or, if installed through the roof,
three feet (3 ′) above roof level.
(2) The ventilation systems shall be designed and balanced to conform to accepted
standards and/or applicable codes.
(3) Room supply air inlets, recirculation, and exhaust air outlets shall be located
not less than three (3 ″) inches above the floors.
(4) Corridors shall not be used to supply air to or exhaust air from any room.
All interior rooms shall be mechanically ventilated.
(5) An approved fire damper shall be provided on each opening through each
fire or smoke wall partition and on each opening through the floor of a vertical shaft.
(6) Cold air ducts shall be insulated where necessary to maintain the efficiency
of the system or to minimize condensation problems.
Sec. 19-13-D page 49 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
(7) Exhaust hoods in food preparation centers shall have a minimum exhaust rate
of one-hundred (100) cubic feet per minute per square foot of hood face area. All
hoods over cooking ranges shall be equipped with fire extinguishing systems and
heat-activated fan controls. Cleanout openings shall be provided every twenty feet
(20′) in horizontal exhaust duct systems serving hoods.
(8) Boiler rooms shall be provided with sufficient out-door air to maintain combus-
tion rates of equipment and reasonable temperatures in the room and in adjoining
areas.
(4) Plumbing and other piping systems. (a) Plumbing fixtures. (1) The material
used for plumbing fixtures shall be of non-absorptive acid-resistant material.
(b) Water supply systems. (1) Systems shall be designed to supply water to the
fixtures and equipment on the upper floors at a minimum pressure of fifteen (15)
pounds per square inch during maximum demand periods.
(2) Each water service main, branch main, riser and branch to a group of fixtures
shall be valved. Stop valves shall be provided at each fixture.
(3) Hot, cold and chilled water piping and waste piping on which condensation
or unnecessary heat loss may occur shall be insulated.
(4) Backflow preventers (vacuum breakers) shall be installed on hose bibbs and
on all fixtures to which hoses or tubing can be attached such as janitors' sinks.
(5) Flush valves installed on plumbing fixtures shall be of a quiet operating type.
(6) Hot water distribution systems shall be arranged to provide hot water at each
hot water outlet at all times.
(7) Plumbing fixtures which require hot water and which are intended for resident
use shall be supplied with water which is controlled to provide a water temperature
ranging between one-hundred and ten degrees to one-hundred and twenty degrees
Fahrenheit (110° to 120° F.) at the fixture.
(c) Hot water heaters and tanks. The hot water heating equipment shall have
sufficient capacity to supply the water at the temperatures and amounts as required.
(d) Drainage systems. Piping over food preparation centers, food serving facilities,
food storage areas, and other critical areas shall be kept to a minimum and shall
not be exposed. Special precautions shall be taken to protect these areas from
possible leakage of or condensation from necessary overhead piping systems.
(c) Fire extinguishing systems. Automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be
installed in areas such as: Central soiled linen holding rooms, maintenance shops,
refuse collection rooms, bulk storage rooms, and adjacent corridors, attics accessible
for storage, and refuse chutes. Storage rooms of less than one-hundred (100) square
feet in area and spaces used for storage of non-hazardous materials are excluded
from this requirement if construction is non-combustible.
N. Electrical system. (1) Circuit breakers or fusible switches that provide discon-
necting means and overcurrent protection for conductors connected to switchboards
and distribution panelboards shall be enclosed or guarded to provide a dead-front
type of assembly. The main switchboard shall be located in a separate enclosure
accessible only to authorized persons. The switchboard shall be convenient for use,
readily accessible for maintenance, clear of traffic lanes, and in a dry ventilated
space free of corrosive fumes or gases. Overload protective devices shall be suitable
for operating properly in the ambient temperature conditions.
(2) Lighting and appliance Panelboards shall be provided for the circuits on each
floor. This requirement does not apply to emergency system circuits.
(3) All spaces occupied by people, machinery, and equipment within the building,
and the approaches thereto, and parking lots shall have electric lighting.
Sec. 19-13-D page 50 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
(a) Residents' bedrooms shall have general lighting.
(b) One lighting fixture for general lighting shall be exclusively wired to a switch
at the entrance to each resident room.
(c) A reading light shall be provided for each resident.
(d) Residents' reading lights shall not be switched at the door.
(e) All switches for control of lighting in resident areas shall be of the quiet
operating type.
(4) Each resident bedroom shall have duplex receptacles at least eighteen inches
(18″) above the floor as follows: One on each side of the head of each bed, for
parallel beds. Only one duplex receptacle is required between beds, and one on at
least one other wall. Single receptacles for equipment, such as floor cleaning
machines, shall be installed approximately fifty feet (50 ′) apart in all corridors.
Duplex receptacles for general use shall be installed approximately fifty feet (50 ′)
apart in all corridors and within twenty-five feet (25 ′) of ends of corridors.
(5) A calling station shall be installed in each resident room to meet the following
requirements: Each resident room shall be equipped with at least an audible call
bell system connected to an annunciator panel in the manager's office and employees'
sleeping area where there is staff twenty-four (24) hours a day. If the office is not
staffed twenty-four (24) hours a day, the call system shall indicate the source of
the call, both audibly and visually. In addition to activating the annunciator panel,
the call bell shall turn on a light located directly over the door of the resident room.
In lieu of this requirement, a telephone system may be used if the same functions
are accomplished when the receiver is lifted.
(6) A manually-operated, electrically-supervised fire alarm system shall be
installed in each facility. In multistory buildings, the signal shall be coded or
otherwise arranged to indicate the location of the station operated. The fire alarm
system should be connected to a municipal system, if possible. Pre-signal systems
will not be permitted. In multi-story buildings, with more than twenty-five (25)
residents, an annunciator panel shall be provided.
O. Emergency electric service. (1) To provide electricity during an interruption
of the normal electric supply that could affect the care and safety of the occupants,
an emergency source of electricity shall be provided and connected to all circuits
for lighting and power.
(2) The source of this emergency electric service shall be as follows: (a) All
emergency generating set, including the prime mover and generator, equipped with
an automatic transfer switch, shall he located on the premises and shall be reserved
exclusively for supplying the emergency electrical system. The emergency generator
set shall be of sufficient kilowatt capacity to supply all lighting and power load
demands of the emergency system and shall have an automatic transfer switch which
will start the emergency generator within ten (10) seconds. The power factor rating
of the generator shall be not less than eighty percent (80%). Where fuel is normally
stored on the site, the storage capacity shall be sufficient for three (3) days operation
of required emergency electric services. Where fuel is normally piped underground
to the site from a utility distribution system, storage facilities on the site will not
be required.
(3) Emergency electric service shall be provided to circuits as follows: (a) Where
electricity is the only source of power normally used for space heating, the emergency
service shall provide for heating of all resident bedrooms and resident service areas
such as dining rooms, day rooms and recreation areas. Emergency heating of resident
bedrooms will not be required in areas where the home is supplied by at least two
Sec. 19-13-D page 51 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
(2) utility service feeders, or a network distribution system fed by two (2) or
more generating sources, with the feeders so routed, transfer switch connected, and
protected that a fault any place between the sources and the facility will not likely
cause an interruption of more than one of the service feeders.
(b) Where more than one (1) elevator is provided, at least one (1) shall be
connected to the emergency electrical system.
P. If residents are housed in two (2) or more buildings not directly connected
one with another, each such building shall be treated as a separate unit.
Q. Each resident room shall be numbered; the number, together with the licensed
capacity of each room, shall be posted by each door. The census shall not exceed
the number for which the license is issued, nor shall the number of residents in any
room exceed the licensed capacity of that room.
R. The buildings, equipment and precautions taken to provide for the safety of
residents and employees shall be approved by the state department of health. An
annual certificate from the local fire marshal that fire precautionary measures meet
his approval shall be submitted with the annual application for license.
S. The buildings, equipment and site shall be maintained in a good state of repair
and shall be kept clean at all times.
(c) Administration.
(1) The proprietor or licensee of the residential care home shall be responsible
for operation of the residential care home in compliance with these regulations.
(2) The proprietor or licensee of the residential care home shall be responsible
for submitting every two years to the department an application for license and such
reports as may be required.
(3) The licensee shall furnish, with his initial application, character references
from three responsible people not related to him. He shall also furnish, every two
years with his initial and each subsequent application, a certificate of physical and
mental health signed by a physician.
(4) Sufficient capable personnel of good character and suitable temperament shall
be employed to provide satisfactory care for the residents.
(A) The residential care home shall maintain records on file at the residential
care home documenting that all new staff received an initial orientation prior to
being allowed to work independently including, but not limited to, safety and
emergency procedures for staff and residents, the policies and procedures of the
residential care home, and resident rights. Such records shall be kept at the residential
care home for not less than two (2) years after the termination of employment of
the staff person or service as a volunteer.
(B) Continuing education for program staff shall be required for one (1) percent
of the total annual hours worked (to a maximum of twelve (12) hours) per year. Such
education shall include, but is not limited to, resident rights, behavioral management,
personal care, nutrition and food safety, and health and safety in general.
(C) The licensee of the residential care home shall develop, implement and
maintain a written plan for continuing education for program staff at the residential
care home.
(D) The licensee shall have records of continuing education for each program
staff member at the residential care home which is available to the department for
review upon request. Such records shall be kept for not less than two (2) years after
the termination of employment of an employee.
(5) The management, personnel, equipment, facilities, sanitation and maintenance
of the home shall be such as reasonably to ensure the health, comfort and safety
of the residents at all times.
Sec. 19-13-D page 52 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
(d) Medical supervision. In case of illness of a resident the licensee of the home
or the person in charge is responsible for obtaining the services of a physician.
(e) Records. A record of each resident, to include the name, residence, age, sex,
nearest relative, religion and other necessary information, shall be kept on forms
approved by the state department of health.
(f) Dietary service. (1) Adequate space, equipment and qualified personnel shall
be provided to ensure proper selection, storage, preparation and serving of regular
and special diets to residents at regularly scheduled hours.
(2) Menus shall be prepared, posted and filed and shall meet state department of
health requirements for basic nutritional needs.
(3) The time scheduling of regular meals and snacks shall be approved by the
state department of health.
(4) Methods of dishwashing and dish sanitizing, food handling and garbage
disposal shall comply with section 19-13-B42.
(g) Recreation. Recreational activities shall be provided in homes for the aged.
Space and equipment provided for recreational activities shall be approved by the
state department of health.
(h) General conditions. (1) Residents shall be admitted only on referral from a
responsible source. No residents may be admitted on an emergency basis except in
the event of a major disaster, in which case the state department of health shall be
notified at the earliest possible time.
(2) Provisions for visiting hours shall be as liberal as may be consistent with
good resident care. Personnel shall treat both residents and their visitors with courtesy
and consideration at all times.
(3) Any accident, disaster or other unusual occurrence in the institution shall be
reported within seventy-two hours to the state department of health.
(4) Proper heat, hot water, lighting and ventilation shall be maintained at all times.
(5) There shall be a system of communication sufficient to meet the needs of the
institution and the requirements of the state department of health.
(6) Adequate housekeeping, laundry and maintenance services shall be provided.
(7) Licenses are not transferable and are in effect only for the operation of the
institution as it is organized at the time the license is issued The state department
of health shall be immediately notified if the licensee plans any structural changes,
plans to sell the institution or plans to discontinue operation.
(8) When an institution changes ownership, the new licensee shall not only comply
with all the requirements of these regulations but shall, in addition, comply with
the requirements for new structures.
(9) Institutions caring for more than four persons shall comply with the state fire
safety code. (Reg. 29-40-1 et seq.)
(10) The site of new institutions shall be approved by the state department of health.
(11) Private water supplies and/or sewerage if installed shall be in accordance
with the state public health code (Reg. 19-13-A1 et seq.) and with written approval
by the local director of health.
(12) All plans and specifications for new construction or alterations shall be
submitted to the state department of health, the local fire marshal, the local building
inspector, if any, and the local zoning authorities for approval before construction
is undertaken.
(13) No person shall be admitted to or housed in the institution if such person
is not under the direct supervision of the licensee.
Sec. 19-13-D page 53 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
(14) When a patient ceases to breathe and has no detectable pulse or blood
pressure, the body shall be moved promptly to an otherwise unoccupied room in
the same institution pending pronouncement of death by a physician who has
personally viewed the body as required in section 7-62 of the General Statutes. The
facility shall make available a room which will provide for the dignified holding
of the body of the deceased person where it will not be exposed to the view of
patients or visitors. The room so designated may be used for other purposes when
not required for this purpose.
(i) Special Conditions.
(1) Egress passages from each resident floor of the institution shall be such that
all occupants of the floor can safely travel to a place of safety outside the building.
(2) In combustible buildings the third floor above the basement shall not be
converted to resident use after January 1, 1960, unless a passenger elevator is
installed to serve each floor.
(j) Attendants required. At no time shall there be less than one attendant on
duty for each twenty-five residents or fraction thereof from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and
one attendant in residence for each twenty-five residents from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
(k) Classification of civil penalty violations for Homes for the Aged and Rest
Homes. Any home for the aged and rest home as defined in Section 19a-521
Connecticut General Statutes found by the Commissioner of Health Services to be
in violation of one of the following provisions of the Regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies known as the Public Health Code shall be subject to the class of
violation indicated below and penalties indicated in Section 19a-527 Connecticut
General Statutes:
(1) A violation of any of the following provisions shall result in a Class A vio-
lation:
(A) 19-13-D6 (b) N (6);
(B) 19-13-D6 (b) R;
(C) 19-13-D6 (f) (4);
(2) A violation of any of the following provisions shall result in a Class B vio-
lation:
(A) 19-13-D6 (b) A (2) (b);
(B) 19-13-D6 (b) M (4) (b) (7);
(C) 19-13-D6 (b) O (1); (2);
(D) 19-13-D6 (c) (1); (4);
(E) 19-13-D6 (d) ;
(F) 19-13-D6 (f) (1);
(G) 19-13-D6 (h) (4);
(H) 19-13-D6 (i) (1); (2);
(I) 19-13-D6 (j).
(l) ExemptionÐNo civil penalty shall be imposed for an existing structural
condition not in conformance with the Public Health Code, which is authorized to
continue to exist in accordance with provisions of Section 19-13-D6(b)A of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(m) Administration of Medications.
Residents of licensed residential care homes may self administer medications,
and may request assistance from staff with opening containers or packages and
replacing lids. If the residential care home permits the administration of medications
of any kind by unlicensed personnel, unlicensed personnel who administer medica-
tions in the residential care home must be certified and comply with all requirements
Sec. 19-13-D page 54 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
of subsection (m) of this section and have written policies and procedures at the
residential care home governing the administration of medications which shall
include, but not be limited to, the types of medication that will be administered,
resident responsibilities, staff responsibilities, proper storage of medication and
record keeping. Said policies and procedures shall be available for review by the
department during inspections or upon demand and shall reflect best practice. Except
as provided in subsection (m) of this section, unlicensed personnel who have not
been certified shall not administer medication. Only program staff persons who
are eighteen (18) years of age shall administer any medication at the residential
care home.
(1) Administration of Non Prescription Topical Medications Only
(A) Description
For the purposes of subsection (m) of this section, non-prescription topical medica-
tions are:
(i) ointments free of antibiotic, antifungal, or steroidal components;
(ii) medicated powders; and
(iii) gum or lip medications available without a prescription.
(B) Non Prescription Topical Medications Administration/Resident Permission
Records
The written permission of the resident (or resident's conservator, guardian, or
legal representative) shall be required prior to the administration of the non prescrip-
tion topical medication(s) and a medication administration record shall be written
in ink and kept on file at the residential care home for each resident administered
a non prescription topical medication(s). The medication administration record and
resident's permission shall become part of the resident's record when the course of
medication has ended. Any medication administration error shall be documented in
the record. This information shall include:
(i) the name of the resident;
(ii) the name of the medication;
(iii) the schedule and site of administration of the medication, as applicable,
according to the manufacturer's directions;
(iv) the signature of the resident, or the name, address, telephone number, signature
and relationship to the resident of the resident's conservator, guardian, or legal
representative, authorizing the administration of the medication(s); and
(v) the name of the person who administered the non-prescription topical medi-
cation.
(C) Non Prescription Topical Medications/Labeling and Storage
(i) The medication shall be stored in the original container and shall contain the
following information on the container or packaging indicating:
(I) the individual resident's name;
(II) the name of the medication; and
(III) directions for the medication's administration.
(ii) The medication shall be stored away from food and inaccessible to unautho-
rized persons.
(iii) Any expired medication shall be destroyed by the resident (or resident's
conservator, guardian, or legal representative) or the program staff member in a
safe manner.
(2) Administration of Medications Other Than Non Prescription Topical Medi-
cations
(A) Description
Sec. 19-13-D page 55 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
For the purposes of subsection (m) of this section, medications other than non-
prescription topical medications are medications which are not described in subsec-
tion 19-13-D6 (m)(1)(A) and are:
(i) oral medications
(ii) topical medications, including eye and ear preparations;
(iii) inhalant medications
(iv) injectable medications, by a pre-measured, commercially prepared syringe, to
a resident with a diagnosed medical condition who may require emergency treatment.
(B) Training Requirements
(i) Prior to the administration of any medication by program staff members, the
program staff members who are responsible for administering the medications shall
first be trained by a registered pharmacist, physician, physician assistant, advanced
practice registered nurse or registered nurse in the methods of administration of
medications and shall have received written verification from the trainer which
indicates that the trainee has completed a training program as required herein and
shall have successfully complete a written examination and practicum administered
by the Connecticut League For Nursing or other department approved certifying
organization. If the residential care home permits the administration of medication
by certified program staff, a program staff member trained and certified to administer
medication by the route ordered by the authorized prescriber shall be present at all
times whenever a resident has orders to receive medication.
(ii) The training in the administration of medications shall be documented and
shall include, but not be limited to the following:
(I) objectives;
(II) a description of methods of administration including principles and techniques,
application and installation of oral, topical, and inhalant medication, including the
use of nebulization machines;
(III) techniques to encourage residents who are reluctant or noncompliant to
take their medication and the importance of communicating this information to
the prescriber;
(IV) demonstration of techniques by the trainer and return demonstration by
participants, assuring that the trainee can accurately understand and interpret orders
and carry them out correctly, including medications that are ordered PRN (as needed);
(V) recognition of side effects and appropriate follow up action;
(VI) avoidance of medication errors and the action to take if an error occurs, or
if a dosage is missed or refused;
(VII) abbreviations commonly used;
(VIII) documentation including resident (or resident's conservator, guardian, or
legal representative) permission, written orders from the authorized prescriber, and
the record of administration;
(IX) safe handling, including receiving medication from a resident (or resident's
conservator, guardian, or legal representative), safe disposal, and universal precau-
tions; and
(X) proper storage including the storage of controlled substances in accordance
with Section 21a-262-10 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(iii) Injectable Medications
In addition to the above training, before a program staff member may administer
injectable medications, he shall have completed a training program on the administra-
tion of injectable medications by a premeasured, commercially prepared syringe.
The trainer who shall be a registered pharmacist, physician, physician assistant,
Sec. 19-13-D page 56 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse, shall assure that the program
staff member understands the indications, side effects, handling and methods of
administration for injectable medication. Thereafter, on a yearly basis, program staff
members shall have their skills and competency in the administration of injectable
medication recertified by the Connecticut League For Nursing or other department
approved certifying organization. Injectable medications shall only be given in
emergency situations, by a premeasured commercially prepared syringe, unless a
petition for special medication authorization is granted by the department.
(iv) The trainer shall provide the trainee with an outline of the curriculum content,
which verifies that all mandated requirements have been included in the training
program. A copy of said outline shall be on file at the residential care home where
the trainee is employed for department review. The department may require at any
time that the licensee obtain the full curriculum from the trainer for review by
the department.
(v) A program staff member currently certified by the State of Connecticut
Department of Mental Retardation or other state agency to administer non-injectable
medications shall be considered qualified to administer such medications at residen-
tial care homes.
(C) Certification
(i) In order to administer medication, unlicensed program staff shall be certified
as applicable, in the administration of:
(I) oral, topical, and inhalant medications, or;
(II) oral, topical, inhalant, and pre-measured commercially prepared injectable
medications.
(ii) Upon completion of training in the administration of medication and prior to
the administration of any medication, program staff must successfully complete a
written examination and practicum administered by the Connecticut League for
Nursing or other Department approved certifying organization.
(iii) The written examination and practicum for oral, topical, and inhalant medica-
tions, shall include, but not be limited to the following:
(I) the elements in subsection 19-13-D6(m)(2)(B)(ii)(I) through 19-13-
D6(m)(2)(B)(ii)(III), inclusive, and subsection 19-13-D6(m)(2)(B)(ii)(V) through19-
13-D6(m)(2)(B)(ii)(X), inclusive; The examination shall be graded PASS or FAIL.
A numerical grade of at least 70% shall be considered passing; and
(II) the practicum shall consist of a return demonstration by the program staff
person in which the program staff person shall complete three medication pour and
passes which represent each route of administration; and shall demonstrate to a
representative of the Connecticut League For Nursing or other Department approved
certifying organization, that he can accurately understand and interpret orders of
the authorized prescriber and carry them out correctly, including medications that
are ordered PRN (as needed.)To pass the practicum for oral, topical, and inhalant
medications, the program staff person must successfully complete each medication
pour and pass with 100% accuracy.
(iv) The written examination and practicum for oral, topical, inhalant, and pre-
measured commercially prepared injectable medications, shall include, but not be
limited to the following:
(I) the elements in subsection 19-13-D6(m)(2)(B)(ii)(I) through 19-13-
D6(m)(2)(B)(ii)( III), inclusive, and subsection 19-13-D6(m)(2)(B)(ii)(V) through
19-13-D6(m)(2)(B)(ii)(X), inclusive, and subsection 19-13-D6(m) (2)(B)(iii).; The
Sec. 19-13-D page 57 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
examination shall be graded PASS or FAIL. A numerical grade of at least 70%
shall be considered passing; and
(II) the practicum shall consist of a return demonstration by the program staff
person in which the program staff person shall complete three medication pour and
passes which represent each route of administration and one demonstration using
a premeasured commercially prepared injectable medication;and shall demonstrate
to a representative of the Connecticut League For Nursing or other department
approved certifying organization, that he can accurately understand and interpret
orders of the authorized prescriber and carry them out correctly, including pre-
measured commercially prepared injectable medications and medications that are
ordered PRN (as needed.) To pass the practicum for oral, topical, inhalant, and pre-
measured commercially prepared injectable medications, the program staff person
must successfully complete each medication pour and pass with 100% accuracy; and
one demonstration using a premeasured commercially prepared injectable medication
with 100% accuracy.
(v) Upon completion of the written test and practicum, the Connecticut League
For Nursing or other department approved certifying organization shall certify each
program staff member who has demonstrated successful completion of the required
written test and practicum for the administration of oral, topical, inhalant medications
or for the administration of oral, topical, inhalant, pre-measured commercially pre-
pared injectable medications Certification for the administration of oral, topical,
inhalant medications shall be valid for three (3) years. Certification for the adminis-
tration of injectable medications shall be valid for one (1) year. Certification shall
be in writing. A copy of the certification shall be on file at the residential care home
where the program staff member is employed and shall be available to department
staff upon request.
(vi) Each individual who completes the required training program specified in
subsection 19-13-D6 (m)(2) (B)(ii), and where certification is sought in injectable
medications, subsection 19-13-D6 (m)(2)(B)(iii); and successfully completes a writ-
ten examination and practicum as specified in subsection 19-13-D6 (m)(2)(C)(iii)
or subsection 19-13-D6 (m)(2)(C)(iv), shall be given written certification authorizing
him to administer medications to residents, as permitted in subsection (m) of this
section. Written certification shall include:
(I) the full name, signature, title, license number, address and telephone number of
the registered pharmacist, physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered
nurse or registered nurse who gave the written test and practicum;
(II) the location where and date(s) the test and practicum were given;
(III) a statement that the required curriculum areas listed in Section 19-13-D6
(m)(2)(B)(ii) and Sec.19-13-D6(m)(2)(B)(iii) when applicable were successfully
mastered, and indicating the route(s) of administration the program staff has been
approved to administer;
(IV) the name, date of birth, address, and telephone number of the program staff
member who successfully completed the test and practicum; and
(V) the expiration date of the approval.
(D) Order From An Authorized Prescriber and Resident's Permission
(i) No medication, prescription or non prescription, shall be administered to a
resident without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written permis-
sion of the resident (or resident's conservator, guardian, or legal representative).
Permission shall be maintained on file at the residential care home.
Sec. 19-13-D page 58 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
(ii) The written order from an authorized prescriber shall contain the following
information which may be on the prescription label or on supplemental reference
information approved or provided by the prescriber or pharmacist;
(I) the name of the resident;
(II) the date the medication order was written;
(III) the medication or drug name, dose and method of administration;
(IV) the time the medication is to be administered;
(V) the date(s) the medication is to be started and ended as applicable;
(VI) relevant side effects;
(VII) notation if the medication is a controlled drug;
(VIII) a listing of any allergies, reactions to, or negative interactions with foods
or drugs;
(IX) specific instructions from the authorized prescriber who orders the medication
regarding how the medication is to be given; and
(X) the name, address and telephone number of the authorized prescriber ordering
the drug.
(iii) If the authorized prescriber determines that the training of the program staff
member is inadequate to safely administer medication to a particular resident, that
authorized prescriber may order that such administration be performed by licensed
medical personnel with the statutory authority to administer medications.
(iv) The program staff member shall administer medication only in accordance
with the written order of the authorized prescriber. The resident (or resident's
conservator, guardian, or legal representative) shall be notified of any medication
administration errors immediately. The error and the notification of the error shall
be documented in the record.
(E) Required Records
(ii) Individual written medication administration records for each resident shall
be written in ink, reviewed prior to administering each dose of medication and
maintained on file at the residential care home. The medication administration record
shall become part of the resident's health record when the course of medication
has ended.
(ii) The individual written administration record for each resident shall include:
(I) the name of the resident;
(II) the name of the medication or drug;
(III) the dosage ordered and method of administration;
(IV) the date, time, and dosage at each administration;
(V) the signature or initials in ink, or a secured computerized document indicating
the program staff member giving the medication; and
(VI) any refusal by the resident in accepting the medication.
(iii) Medication administration errors shall be recorded in the individual written
administration record of the resident. Significant medication errors shall be reported
in writing within seventy-two hours to the department.
(F) Storage and Labeling
(i) Medication shall be stored in the original container. The container or packaging
shall have a label, which includes the following information:
(I) the resident's name;
(II) the name of the medication;
(III) directions for the medication's administration; and
(IV) the date of the prescription.
Sec. 19-13-D page 59 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D6
(ii) Medications shall be stored in a locked area or a locked container, in a
refrigerator in keeping with the label or manufacturer's directions, away from food
and inaccessible to unauthorized personnel. External medications shall be stored
separately from internal medications. Keys to the locked area or container shall be
accessible only to personnel authorized to administer medication. Controlled drugs
shall be stored in accordance with Section 21a-262-10 of the Regulations of Connecti-
cut State Agencies.
(iii) All expired medication, except for controlled drugs, shall be destroyed within
one (1) week following the expiration date by flushing into sewerage or a septic
system. The residential care home shall contact the Connecticut Department of
Consumer Protection for direction
(iv) on the proper method of disposing of a controlled drug, and shall carry out
the direction as required. The residential care home shall keep a written record of
any medications destroyed.
(G) Petition for Special Medication Authorization
(i) The licensee of a residential care home may petition the department to adminis-
ter medications to a resident by a modality which is not specifically permitted under
these regulations by submitting a written application to the department, including
the following information:
(I) a written order from an authorized prescriber containing the information for
the specific resident set forth in subsection 19-13-D (6)(m)(2)(D) and a statement
that the administration by the requested modality is the only reasonable means of
providing medication;
(II) a written training plan including the full name, signature, title, license number,
address and telephone number of the registered pharmacist, physician, physician
assistant, advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse who will provide
the training, a detailed outline of the curriculum areas to be covered in training,
and a written statement by the authorized prescriber that the proposed training is
adequate to assure that the medication will be administered safely and appropriately
to the particular resident;
(III) the name, date of birth, address and telephone number of the person(s) who
shall participate in the training;
(IV) written permission from the resident (or resident's conservator, guardian, or
legal representative); and
(V) such other information that the department deems necessary to evaluate the
petition request.
(ii) After reviewing the submitted information, if the department determines that
the proposed administration of medication for the particular resident can be provided
in a manner to assure the health, safety and welfare of the resident, it may grant
the petition. The department may grant the petition with any conditions or corrective
measures, which the department deems necessary to assure the health, safety and
welfare of the resident. The department will specify the curriculum that the training
program shall cover and the expiration date of the authorization provided in granting
the petition. If the department grants the petition, no medication may be administered
until after the proposed training program has been successfully completed and a
written approval from the registered pharmacist, physician, physician assistant,
advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse who provided the training is
submitted to the department. The approval shall include:
(I) the full name, signature, title, license number, address and telephone number of
the registered pharmacist, physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered
nurse or registered nurse who provided the training;
(II) the location and date(s) the training was given;
Sec. 19-13-D page 60 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D6
(III) a statement that the curriculum approved by the department was successfully
mastered and stating the modality of administration of medication that the trainee
has been approved to administer; and
(IV) the name, date of birth, address and telephone number of the person(s) who
successfully completed the training.
(iii) Copies of all documentation required under this subsection shall be maintained
at the residential care home. The requirements of subsection 19-13-D6 (m)(2)(E)
and 19-13-D6 (m)(2)(F) shall apply to the administration of medication authorized
by petition.
(3) Department Action
The Licensee shall comply with the policies and procedures adopted pursuant to
subsection (m) of this section. Any failure to comply with such policies or procedures
or any other provisions of this section shall constitute a Class B violation under
Section 19a-527 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(Effective March 1, 1988; amended December 4, 1998, April 2, 2002)
Secs. 19-13-D7Ð19-13-D7q.
Repealed, October 1, 1981.
Sec. 19-13-D7r.
Repealed, August 20, 1982.
Sec. 19-13-D7s.
Repealed, March 27, 1990.
Secs. 19-13-D8Ð19-13-D8q.
Repealed, October 1, 1981.
Sec. 19-13-D8r.
Repealed, August 20, 1982.
Sec. 19-13-D8s.
Repealed, March 27, 1990.
Sec. 19-13-D8t. Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with
nursing supervision
(a) Definitions. As used in this subsection:
(1) ``Attending physician'' means the physician attending the patient at the time
of treatment;
(2) ``By-Laws'' means a set of rules adopted by the facility for governing its
operation;
(3) ``Certified Nurse's Aide'' means a nurse's aide issued a certificate - from
January 1, 1982 through January 31, 1990 - of satisfactory completion of a training
program which has been approved by the department;
(4) ``Commissioner'' means the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department
of Public Health;
(5) ``Curriculum'' means the plan of classroom and clinical instructions for
training and skills assessment leading to registration as a nurse's aide, which has
been approved by the commissioner;
(6) ``Department'' means the Connecticut Department of Public Health;
(7) ``Facility'' means a chronic and convalescent nursing home and/or a rest
home with nursing supervision;
(8) ``Feeding assistant'' means an individual who has successfully completed a
state approved training program and who is paid or under contract with a facility
Sec. 19-13-D page 61 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
to orally feed patients who do not have complicated feeding problems as provided
in section 19-13-D8t (l)(9)(D) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies,
but does not include an individual who is a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse
or other health professional otherwise licensed or certified by the department, or
volunteers who provide such services without monetary compensation or a family
member assisting a relative;
(9) ``Full time'' means a time period of not less than 32 hours, established as a
full working week by a facility;
(10) ``Job description'' means a written list developed for each position in the
facility, containing the qualifications, duties, responsibilities, and accountability
required of all employees in that position;
(11) ``Licensed nursing personnel'' means registered nurses or licensed practical
nurses licensed in Connecticut;
(12) ``Nurse's aide'' means an individual providing nursing or nursing-related
services to residents in a chronic and convalescent nursing home or rest home with
nursing supervision, but does not include an individual who is a health professional
otherwise licensed or certified by the Department of Public Health, or who volunteers
to provide such services without monetary compensation;
(13) ``Patient care plan'' means an overall, interdisciplinary written plan docu-
menting an evaluation of the individual patient's needs, short and long term goals,
and care and treatment;
(14) ``Personal physician'' means the physician indicated on the patient's medical
record as being responsible for the medical care of that patient;
(15) ``Reportable Event'' means a happening, occurrence, situation or circum-
stance which was unusual or inconsistent with the policies and practices of the
facility;
(16) ``Supervision'' means the direction, inspection, and on-site observation of
the functions and activities of others in the performance of their duties and responsi-
bilities;
(17) ``Therapeutic recreation'' means individual and group activities designed to
improve the physical and mental health and condition of each patient.
(b) Licensure procedure.
(1) Commission on hospitals and health care. A facility shall not be constructed,
expanded or licensed to operate except upon application for, receipt of, and compli-
ance with all limitations and conditions required by the commission on hospitals
and health care in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, sections 19-73l
through 19-73n inclusive.
(2) Application for licensure.
(A) No person shall operate a facility without a license issued by the department
in accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes, sections 19-576 through 19-
586 inclusive.
(B) Application for the grant or renewal of a license to operate a facility shall
be made in writing on forms provided by the department; shall be signed by the
person seeking authority to operate the facility; shall be notarized; and shall include
the following information if applicable:
(i) Application for Owner's Certificate of Compliance, as required by subsection
(v) (1) of these regulations;
(ii) Names and titles of professional and nurse's aide staff;
(iii) Upon initial appointment only, signed acknowledgement of duties for the
administrator, medical director, and director of nurses;
(iv) Patient capacity;
(v) Total number of employees, by category;
Sec. 19-13-D page 62 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(vi) Services provided;
(vii) Evidence of financial capacity;
(viii) Certificates of malpractice and public liability insurance;
(ix) Local Fire Marshal's annual certificate.
(3) Issuance and renewal of license.
(A) Upon determination by the department that a facility is in compliance with
the statutes and regulations pertaining to its licensure, the department shall issue a
license or renewal of license to operate the facility for a period not to exceed one year.
(i) Each building which is not physically connected to a licensed facility shall
be treated as a distinct facility for purposes of licensure;
(ii) A facility which contains more than one level of care within a single building
shall be treated as a single facility for purposes of licensure;
(B) A license shall be issued in the name of the person who signs the application
for the license for a specific facility. The license shall not be transferable to any
other person or facility.
(C) Each license shall specify the maximum licensed bed capacity for each level
of care, and shall list on its face the names of the administrator, medical director,
and director of nurses, and notations as to waivers of any provision of this code.
No facility shall have more patients than the number of beds for which it is licensed.
(4) Notice to public. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the
lobby by reception room of the facility.
(5) Change in status. Change of ownership, level of care, number of beds or
location shall require a new license to be issued. The licensee shall notify the
department in writing no later than 90 days prior to any such proposed change.
(6) Change in personnel. The licensee shall notify the department immediately,
to be confirmed in writing within five days, of both the resignation or removal and
the subsequent appointment of the facility's administrator, medical director, or
director of nurses.
(7) Failure to grant the department access to the facility or to the facility's records
shall be grounds for denial or revocation of the facility's license.
(8) Surrender of license. The facility shall directly notify each patient concerned,
the next of kin and/or guardian, the patient's personal physician, and any third party
payors concerned at least 30 days prior to the voluntary surrender of the facility's
license or surrender of license upon the department's order of revocation, refusal
to renew or suspension of license. In such cases, the license shall be surrendered
to the department within seven days of the termination of operation.
(c) Waiver.
(1) The commissioner or his/her designee, in accordance with the general purpose
and intent of these regulations, may waive provisions of these regulations if the
commissioner determines that such waiver would not endanger the life, safety or
health of any patient. The commissioner shall have the power to impose conditions
which assure the health, safety and welfare of patients upon the grant of such waiver,
or to revoke such waiver upon a finding that the health, safety, or welfare of any
patient has been jeopardized.
(2) Any facility requesting a waiver shall apply in writing to the department.
Such application shall include:
(A) The specific regulations for which the waiver is requested;
(B) Reasons for requesting a waiver, including a statement of the type and degree
of hardship that would result to the facility upon enforcement of the regulations;
(C) The specific relief requested; and
(D) Any documentation which supports the application for waiver.
Sec. 19-13-D page 63 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(3) In consideration of any application for waiver, the commissioner or his/her
designee may consider the following:
(A) The level of care provided;
(B) The maximum patient capacity;
(C) The impact of a waiver on care provided;
(D) Alternative policies or procedures proposed.
(4) The Department reserves the right to request additional information before
processing an application for waiver.
(5) Any hearing which may be held in conjunction with an application for waiver
shall be held in conformance with Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes
and department regulations.
(d) General Conditions.
(1) Patient admission.
(A) Patients shall be admitted to the facility only after a physician certifies
the following:
(i) That a patient admitted to a chronic and convalescent nursing home has
uncontrolled and/or unstable and/or chronic conditions requiring continuous skilled
nursing services and/or nursing supervision or has chronic conditions requiring
substantial assistance with personal care, on a daily basis;
(ii) That a patient admitted to a rest home with nursing supervision has controlled
and/or stable chronic conditions which require minimal skilled nursing services,
nursing supervision, or assistance with personal care on a daily basis.
(B) Nothing in subparagraph (A) above shall require the transfer of any patient
admitted to the facility prior to October 1, 1981.
(C) No patient shall be admitted to a facility without compliance with the above
requirements except in the event of an emergency, in which case the facility shall
notify the Department within 72 hours after such admission.
(2) Visiting hours shall be as liberal as is consistent with good patient care, but
shall in no event be less than eight hours per day.
(3) Patient Identification.
(A) Each chronic and convalescent nursing home shall ensure that all patients
wear, at all times, identification bracelets or some other form of visible identification.
(B) A method for identification of all patients at all times shall be established
by rest homes with nursing supervision.
(4) All areas used by patients shall have temperatures of not less than 75°F. All
other occupied areas shall have temperatures of not less than 70°F.
(5) When a patient ceases to breathe and has no detectable pulse or blood pressure,
the patient shall be screened from view of other patients. Upon pronouncement of
death in accordance with Section 7-62b of the Connecticut General Statutes or
Sections 7-62-1 through 7-62-3 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies,
the body shall be moved promptly to the facility's holding room, as required by
subsection (v) (13) (B) of these regulations.
(6) All medications shall be administered only by licensed nursing personnel,
qualified physician assistants or other health care practitioners with statutory author-
ity to administer medications and/or in accordance with Section 19-13-D8v (b) (5)
(B) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(e) Governing body.
(1) The facility shall have a governing body, which shall have the general respon-
sibilities to:
(A) set policy;
Sec. 19-13-D page 64 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(B) oversee the management and operation of the facility; and
(C) assure the financial viability of the facility.
(2) Specific responsibilities of the governing body necessary to carry out its
general responsibilities shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
(A) adoption and documented annual review of written facility by-laws and
budget;
(B) annual review and update of the facility's institutional plan, including antici-
pated needs, income and expenses;
(C) review of facility compliance with established policy;
(D) appointment of a qualified administrator;
(E) provision of a safe physical plant equipped and staffed to maintain the facility
and services in accordance with any applicable local and state regulations and any
federal regulations that may apply to federal programs in which the facility partic-
ipates;
(F) approval of an organizational chart which establishes clear lines of responsibil-
ity and authority in all matters relating to management and maintenance of the
facility and patient care;
(G) annual review of personnel policies;
(H) adoption of written policies assuring the protection of patients' rights and
patient grievance procedures, a description of which shall be posted conspicuously
in the facility and distributed personally to each patient;
(I) determination of the frequency of meetings of the governing body and docu-
mentation of such meetings through minutes;
(J) written confirmation of all appointments made or approved by the governing
body; and
(K) adoption of a written policy concerning potential conflict of interest on the
part of members of the governing body, the administration, medical and nursing
staff and other employees who might influence corporate decisions.
(f) Administrator.
(1) The administrator of any facility shall be licensed in accordance with Connect-
icut General Statutes, sections 19-593 through 19-599 inclusive.
(2) Application for licensure. The following shall be submitted with the adminis-
trator's initial application for licensure:
(A) Three references evaluating his/her suitability to administer a facility, as
follows:
(i) One from a nursing home administrator, licensed physician, or registered nurse,
attesting to the applicant's professional qualifications and degree of experience;
(ii) Two character references from persons not related to the applicant;
(B) A certificate of physical and mental health signed by a licensed physician.
(C) Educational background.
(3) The administrator shall be responsible for the overall management of the
facility and shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
(A) Enforcement of any applicable local and state regulations, any federal regula-
tions that may apply to federal programs in which the facility participates, and
facility by-laws;
(B) Appointment, with the approval of the governing body, of a qualified medical
director and director of nurses and, if required, an assistant director of nurses;
(C) Liaison between the governing body, medical and nursing staff, and other
professional and supervisory staff;
(D) Protection of patients' personal and property rights;
Sec. 19-13-D page 65 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(E) Appointment, in writing and with the approval of the governing body, of a
responsible employee to act in his/her behalf in temporary absences;
(F) With the advice of the medical director and director of nurses, employment
of qualified personnel in sufficient numbers to assess and meet patient needs;
(G) Written definition of the duties and responsibilities of all personnel classifi-
cations;
(H) Maintenance of a patient roster and annual census of all patients admitted
and/or discharged by the facility. Such census shall be submitted to the department
no later than October 31 for each year ending September 30;
(I) Submission to the department of the facility's annual license application and
required reports, including, but not limited to, submission within 72 hours of reports
on all accidents, or incidents, and any unusual or suspicious deaths in connection
with subsection (g) of these regulations;
(J) Together with the medical director and director of nurses, development of a
coordinated program for orientation to the facility, in-service training, and continuing
education for all categories of staff in order to develop skills and increase knowledge
so as to improve patient care;
(K) Establishment of procedures for notification of the patient, next of kin or
sponsor in the event of a change in a patient's charges, billing status and other
related matters.
(4) In a chronic and convalescent nursing home with 45 or more licensed beds,
the administrator shall serve full time on the premises of the facility and shall be
on 24 hour call.
(5) In a rest home with nursing supervision with 60 or more licensed beds, the
administrator shall serve full time on the premises of the facility, and shall be on
24 hour call.
(6) Except for a facility with 29 beds or less, the administrator may not serve
as director of nurses.
(g) Reportable event(s)
(1) Classification. All reportable events shall be classified as follows:
Class A: an event that has caused or resulted in a patient's death or presents an
immediate danger of death or serious harm;
Class B: an event that indicates an outbreak of disease or foodborne outbreaks
as defined in section 19a-36-A1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;
a complaint of patient abuse or an event that involves an abusive act to a patient
by any person; for the purpose of this classification, abuse means a verbal, mental,
sexual, or physical attack on a patient that may include the infliction of injury,
unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment;
Class C: an event (including but not limited to loss of emergency electrical
generator power, loss of heat, loss of water system) that will result in the evacuation
of one (1) or more patients within or outside of the facility and all fires regardless
of whether services are disrupted;
Class D: an event that has caused or resulted in a serious injury or significant
change in a patient's condition, an event that involves medication error(s) of clinical
significance, or an adverse drug reaction of clinical significance which for the
purpose of this classification, shall mean an event that adversely alters a patient's
mental or physical condition; or
Class E: an event that has caused, or resulted in minor injury, distress or discomfort
to a patient.
Sec. 19-13-D page 66 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(2) All reportable events shall be documented in a format required by the Depart-
ment. All documentation of reportable events shall be maintained at the facility for
not less than three (3) years.
(3) Report. The licensed administrator or his/her designee shall report any report-
able event to the Department as follows:
Classes A, B and C: immediate notice by telephone to the Department, to be
confirmed by written report as provided herein within seventy-two (72) hours of
said event;
Class D: written report to the Department as provided herein within seventy-two
(72) hours of said event; and
Class E: written report of event at time of occurrence or discovery shall be
maintained on file at the facility for review by the Department.
(4) Each written report required by subdivision (3) of this subsection shall contain
the following information:
(A) date of report and date of event;
(B) licensed level of care and bed capacity of the facility;
(C) identification of the patient(s) affected by the event including:
i. name;
ii. age;
iii. injury;
iv. distress or discomfort;
v. disposition;
vi. date of admission;
vii. current diagnosis;
viii. physical and mental status prior to the event; and
ix. physical and mental status after the event;
(D) the location, nature and brief description of the event;
(E) the name of the physician consulted, if any, and time of notification of the
physician and a report summarizing any subsequent physical examination, including
findings and orders;
(F) the names of any witnesses to the event;
(G) any other information deemed relevant by the reporting authority or the
licensed administrator; and
(H) the signatures of the person who prepared the report and the licensed adminis-
trator.
(5) All reportable events, which have occurred in the facility, shall be reviewed
on a monthly basis by the administrator and director of nurses. All situations which
have a potential for risk shall be identified. A determination shall be made as to what
preventative measures shall be implemented by the facility staff. Documentation of
such determination shall be submitted to the active organized medical staff. This
documentation shall be maintained for not less than three years.
(6) An investigation shall be initiated by the facility within twenty-four (24)
hours of the discovery of a patient(s) with an injury of suspicious or unknown origin
or receipt of an allegation of abuse. The investigation and the findings shall be
documented and submitted to the facility's active organized medical staff for review.
This document shall be maintained at the facility for a period of not less than three
(3) years.
(7) Numbering. Each report shall be identified on each page with a number as
follows: the number appearing on the facility license, the last two digits of the year
and the sequential number of the report during the calendar year.
Sec. 19-13-D page 67 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(8) Subsequent Reports. The licensed administrator shall submit subsequent
reports relevant to any reportable event as often as is necessary to inform the
Department of significant changes in the status of affected individuals or changes
in material facts originally reported. Such reports shall be attached to a photocopy
of the original reportable event report.
(h) Medical director.
(1) The medical director shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in
Connecticut and shall serve on the facility's active organized medical staff, shall
have at least one year of prior clinical experience in adult medicine and shall be a
member of the active medical staff of a general hospital licensed in Connecticut.
(2) The medical director shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
(A) Enforce the facility's by-laws governing medical care;
(B) Assure that quality medical care is provided in the facility;
(C) Serve as a liaison between the medical staff and administration;
(D) Approve or disapprove a patient's admission based on the facility's ability
to provide adequate care for that individual in accordance with the facility's by-
laws. The medical director shall have the authority to review any patient's record
or examine any patient prior to admission for such purpose;
(E) Assure that each patient in the facility has an assigned personal physician;
(F) Provide or arrange for the provision of necessary medical care to the patient
if the individual's personal physician is unable or unwilling to do so;
(G) Approve or deny applications for membership on the facility's active orga-
nized staff in accordance with subsection (i) (2) of these regulations;
(H) In accordance with the facility's by-laws, suspend or terminate the facility
privileges of a medical staff member if that member is unable or unwilling to
adequately care for a patient in accordance with standards set by any applicable
local and state statutes and regulations, any federal regulations that may apply to a
federal program in which the facility participates, or facility by-laws;
(I) Visit the facility between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. to assess the adequacy
of medical care provided in the facility.
(i) A medical director of a chronic and convalescent nursing home shall visit the
facility at least once every 7 days for such purpose.
(ii) A medical director of a rest home with nursing supervision shall visit the
facility at least once every 30 days for such purpose;
(J) Receive reports from the director of nurses on significant clinical devel-
opments;
(K) Recommend to the administrator any purchases of medical equipment and/
or services necessary to assure adequate patient care;
(L) Assist in the development of and participate in a staff orientation and training
program in cooperation with the administrator and the director of nurses, as required
by subsection (f) (3) (J) of these regulations.
(3) A record shall be kept by the facility of the medical director's visits and
statements for review by the department. Such record shall minimally include the
date of visit, the names of the patients audited by the medical director, and a
summary of problems discussed with the staff.
(i) Medical staff.
(1) Each facility shall have an active organized medical staff. All members of
such staff shall possess a full and unrestricted Connecticut license for the practice
of medicine. The active organized medical active staff at a chronic and convalescent
nursing home shall include no less than three (3) physicians.
Sec. 19-13-D page 68 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(2) The medical director shall approve or deny applications for membership on
the active organized medical staff after consultation with the existing active organized
medical staff, if any, and subject to the ratification of the governing body. In
reviewing an applicant's qualifications for membership, the medical director shall
consider whether the applicant:
(A) satisfies specific standards and criteria set in the medical by-laws of the
facility; and
(B) is available by phone twenty-four (24) hours per day; is available to respond
promptly in an emergency; and is able to provide an alternate physician for coverage
whenever necessary.
(3) All appointments shall be made in writing and shall delineate the physician's
duties and responsibilities. The letter of appointment shall be signed by the medical
director and the applicant.
(4) Requirements for active organized medical staff members.
(A) Members shall meet at least once every ninety (90) days. Minutes shall be
maintained for all such meetings. The regular business of the medical staff meetings
shall include, but not be limited to, the hearing and consideration of reports and
other communications from physicians, the director of nurses, and other health
professionals on:
(i) patient care topics, including all deaths, accidents, complications, infections;
(ii) medical quality of care evaluations; and
(iii) interdisciplinary care issues, including nursing, physical therapy, therapeutic
recreation, social work, pharmacy, podiatry, or dentistry.
(B) Members shall attend at least fifty (50) percent of medical staff meetings
per year. If two (2) or more members of the active medical staff are members of
the same partnership or incorporated group practice, one (1) member of such an
association may fulfill the attendance requirements for the other members of that
association provided quorum requirements are met. In such case, the member in
attendance shall be entitled to only one (1) vote.
(C) The active organized medical staff shall adopt written by-laws governing the
medical care of the facility's patients. Such by-laws shall be approved by the medical
director and the governing body. The by-laws shall include, but not necessarily be
limited to:
(i) acceptable standards of practice for the medical staff;
(ii) criteria for evaluating the quality of medical care provided in the facility;
(iii) criteria by which the medical director shall decide the admission or denial
of admission of a patient based on the facility's ability to provide care;
(iv) standards for the medical director to grant or deny privileges and to discipline
or suspend the privileges of members of the medical staff, including assurance of
a due process of appeal in the event of such actions;
(v) quorum requirements for staff meetings, provided a quorum may not be less
than fifty (50) percent of the physicians on the active medical staff;
(vi) specific definition of services, if any, which may be provided by non-physi-
cian health professionals such as physician's assistants or nurse practitioners;
(vii) standards to assure that members of the medical staff request medical consul-
tants where the diagnosis is obscure, or where there is doubt as to the serious nature
of the illness or as to treatment. Such standards shall minimally mandate that the
consultant be qualified to render an opinion in the field in which the opinion is sought,
and that the consultation include examination of the patient and medical record;
Sec. 19-13-D page 69 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(viii) standards to assure that, in the event of the medical director's absence,
inability to act, or vacancy of the medical director's office, another physician on
the facility's active organized medical staff is temporarily appointed to serve in that
capacity; and
(ix) conditions for privileges for the medical staff other than the active organized
medical staff.
(5) Each member of the facility's medical staff shall sign a statement attesting
to the fact that such member has read and understood the facility's medical and
facility policies and procedures, and applicable statutes and regulations, and that
such member will abide by such requirements to the best of his/her ability.
(j) Director of nurses.
(1) Qualifications.
(A) For a chronic and convalescent nursing home, the director of nurses, or any
person acting in such capacity, shall be a nurse registered in Connecticut with at
least one (1) year of additional education or experience in rehabilitative or geriatric
nursing and one (1) year of nursing service administration.
(B) For a rest home with nursing supervision, the director of nurses, or any
person acting in such capacity, shall be a nurse registered in Connecticut with at least
one (1) year of additional education or experience in nursing service administration.
(2) The director of nurses shall be responsible for the supervision, provision, and
quality of nursing care in the facility. The director of nurses' powers and duties
shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
(A) development and maintenance of written nursing service standards of practice,
to be ratified by the governing body; including but not necessarily limited to:
(i) definition of routine nursing care to be rendered by licensed nursing personnel,
and determination of when more than routine care is needed; and
(ii) definition of routine care to be rendered by nurse's aides, and determination
of when more than routine care is needed;
(B) coordination and integration of nursing services with other patient care ser-
vices through periodic meetings or written reports;
(C) development of written job descriptions for nurses and nurse's aides;
(D) development and annual review of nursing service procedures;
(E) coordination and direction of the total planning for nursing services, including
recommending to the administrator the number and levels of nurses and nurse's
aides to be employed;
(F) selection, with the administrator's approval, of all nurses and nurse's aides;
(G) appointment of nurse supervisors as required by subsection (k) of section
19-13-D8t of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;
(H) designation of a nurse in charge of each unit for all shifts;
(I) development of a schedule of daily rounds and assignment of duties for all
nurses and nurse's aides to assure twenty-four (24) hour coverage sufficient to meet
state regulatory requirements;
(J) assistance in the development of and participation in a staff orientation and
training program, in cooperation with the administrator and medical director, as
required by subsection (f) (3) (J) of section 19-13-D8t of the Regulations of Connecti-
cut State Agencies;
(K) ensuring yearly written evaluation of nurses and nurse's aides;
(L) reporting significant clinical developments to the patient's personal physician
and to the medical director; and
Sec. 19-13-D page 70 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(M) appointment, with the approval of the administrator, of a nurse employed
at the facility to act in the director's behalf in temporary absences.
(3) The director of nurses shall serve full-time and shall serve his/her entire shift
between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
(4) An assistant director of nurses shall be appointed in any facility of one
hundred and twenty (120) beds or more.
(k) Nurse supervisor.
A nurse supervisor shall be a nurse registered in Connecticut. The responsibilities
of the nurse supervisor shall include:
(1) Supervision of nursing activities during his/her tour of duty;
(2) Notification of a patient's personal physician if there is a significant change
in the condition of the patient or if the patient requires immediate medical care, or
notification of the medical director if the patient's personal physician does not
respond promptly.
(l) Nurse's Aide and Feeding Assistant Training and Employment
(1) On and after February 1, 1990, no person shall be employed for more than
120 days as a nurse's aide in a licensed chronic and convalescent nursing home or
rest home with nursing supervision unless such person has successfully completed
a training and competency evaluation program approved by the department and has
been entered on the nurse's aide registry maintained by the department. No such
facility shall employ such person as a nurse's aide without making inquiry to the
registry pursuant to subdivision (2).
(A) Effective October 1, 2000, the commissioner shall adopt, and revise as
necessary, a nurse's aide training program of not less than 100 hours and competency
evaluation program for nurse's aides. The standard curriculum of the training pro-
gram shall include, a minimum of seventy-five (75) hours including but not limited to,
the following elements: Basic nursing skills, personal care skills, care of cognitively
impaired residents, recognition of mental health and social service needs, basic
restorative services and residents' rights presented in both lecture and clinical set-
tings. An additional twenty-five (25) hours of the standard nurse's aide lecture and
clinical setting curriculum shall include, but not be limited to specialized training
in understanding and responding to physical, psychiatric, psychosocial and cognitive
disorders. An individual enrolled in a nurse's aide training program prior to October
1, 2000, may complete such program in accordance with the requirements in effect
at the time of enrollment. A trainee's successful completion of training shall be
demonstrated by the trainee's performance, satisfactory to the nurse's aide primary
training instructor, or the elements required by the curriculum. Each licensed chronic
and convalescent nursing home and rest home with nursing supervision that elects
to conduct a nurse's aide training program shall submit such information on its
nurse's aide training program as the commissioner may require on forms provided
by the department. The department may re-evaluate the facility's nurse's aide training
program and competency evaluation program for sufficiency at any time.
(B) The commissioner shall adopt, and revise as necessary, a nurse's aide compe-
tency evaluation program including, at least, the following elements: basic nursing
skills, personal care skills, care of cognitively impaired residents, recognition of
mental health and social service needs, basic restorative services and residents'
rights and the procedures for determination of competency which may include a
standardized test.
(C) Any person employed as a nurse's aide by a chronic and convalescent nursing
home or a rest home with nursing supervision as of January 30, 1990 shall be
Sec. 19-13-D page 71 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
entered on the nurse's aide registry if they meet the requirements set forth in OBRA
in accordance with the current Federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987
(OBRA, 87) as it may be amended from time to time. The facility shall provide such
person with the initial preparation necessary to successfully complete a competency
evaluation program, as may be required by OBRA '87. This competency evaluation
program shall be approved and administered in accordance with this subsection.
(D) Qualifications of nurse's aide instructors
(i) The training of nurse's aides shall be performed by or under the general
supervision of a registered nurse who possesses a minimum of two years of nursing
experience, at least one year of which shall be in a chronic and convalescent nursing
home or rest home with nursing supervision.
(ii) Instructors shall have completed a course in teaching adults or have experience
in teaching adults or supervising nurse's aides.
(iii) Qualified personnel from the health field may serve as trainers in the nurse's
aide training program under the supervision of the nurse's aide primary training
instructor provided they have a minimum of one year of experience in a facility for
the elderly or chronically ill of any age within the immediately preceding five years.
These health field personnel may include: Registered nurses, sanitarians, fire safety
experts, nursing home administrators, gerontologists, psychologists, physical and
occupational therapists therapeutic recreation specialists, speech/language/hearing
therapists. All trainers should be, where applicable, licensed, registered and/or certi-
fied in their field.
(iv) Licensed practical nurses, under the supervision of the nurse's aide primary
training instructor, may serve as trainers in the nurse's aide training program provided
the licensed practical nurse has two years experience in caring for the elderly or
chronically ill of any age.
(v) The training of nurse's aides may be performed under the general supervision
of the director of nurses. The director of nurses is prohibited from performing the
actual training of nurse's aides.
(E) The State Department of Education and the Board of Trustees of Community-
Technical Colleges may offer such training programs and competency evaluation
programs in accordance with these regulations.
(F) In accordance with this subsection any person who has not yet satisfactorily
completed training as provided for herein, and who is employed by a facility for a
period of one-hundred-twenty days or less, as a nurse's aide may be utilized only
to perform tasks for which such person has received training and demonstrated
competence to the satisfaction of the employer and shall perform such tasks only
under the supervision of licensed nursing personnel. Record of any such training
and competence demonstration shall be maintained in the facility for the department's
review for three years from the date of completion thereof. The employer may not
use such person to satisfy staffing requirements as set forth in the Public Health Code.
(G) In accordance with this subsection a facility may use any person who has
satisfactorily completed training, but has not yet satisfactorily completed the compe-
tency evaluation program as provided for herein, and who is employed by a facility
for a period of 120 days or less as a nurse's aide to satisfy staffing requirements
as set forth in the Public Health Code. Record of such training shall be maintained
by the facility for the departments review for three years from the date of comple-
tion thereof.
(H) On and after February 1, 1990 any chronic and convalescent nursing home
or rest home with nursing supervision that utilizes nurse's aides from a placement
Sec. 19-13-D page 72 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
agency or from a nursing pool shall develop a mechanism to verify that such nurse's
aide has been entered on the nurse's aide registry maintained by the department in
accordance with subdivision (2).
(2) The department shall establish and maintain a registry of nurse's aides. Infor-
mation in the nurse's aide registry shall include but not be limited to: name, address,
date of birth, social security number, training site and date of satisfactory completion.
It shall also contain any final determination by the department, after a hearing
conducted pursuant to Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes, relative to
a complaint against a nurse's aide, as well as any brief statement of such person
disputing such findings, including resident neglect or abuse or misappropriation of
resident property.
(3) If, since an individual's most recent completion of a training and competency
evaluation program, there has been a continuous period of twenty-four (24) consecu-
tive months during none of which the individual performed nursing or nursing-
related services for monetary compensation, such individual shall complete a new
training and competency evaluation program, or a new competency evaluation
program.
(4) Any person who successfully completes or has successfully completed prior
to January 1, 1989 the state-sponsored Nurse Assistant Training Program provided
through the State Department of Education or through the Connecticut Regional
Community College system shall be deemed to have completed a nurse's aide
training and competency evaluation program approved by the commissioner in
accordance with this subsection.
(5) Any person who has successfully completed a course or courses comprising
not less than one-hundred hours of theoretical and clinical instruction in the funda-
mental skills of nursing in a practical nursing or registered nursing education program
approved by the department with the advice and assistance of the State Board of
Examiners for Nursing shall be deemed to have completed a nurse's aide training
program approved by the commissioner in accordance with this subsection, if the
curriculum meets the minimum requirements as set forth in this subsection.
(6) The department shall, upon receipt of an application and such supporting
documents as the commissioner may require, place on the registry a nurse's aide who
shows to the satisfaction of the department completion of a department approved:
(A) Nurse's aide training program, and
(B) Competency Evaluation program.
(7) A nurse's aide registered in another state or territory of the United States may
be entered on the registry, provided the department is satisfied that such nurse's
aide has completed a training and competency evaluation program equal to or better
than that required for registration in this state as of the date the nurse's aide was
first registered in another state or territory of the United States.
(8) Subject to the provisions of section 20-102ff of the Connecticut General
Statutes, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse licensed in a state other than
Connecticut whose license has been verified by the chronic and convalescent nursing
home or rest home with nursing supervision as in good standing in the state in
which he or she is currently licensed, or a registered nurse trained in another country
who has satisfied the certification requirements of the Commission on Graduates
of Foreign Nursing Schools, may be utilized as a nurse's aide in Connecticut for
not more than a single one hundred-twenty (120) day period. Said licensed registered
nurse or licensed practical nurse shall be deemed to have completed a nurse's aide
training and competency evaluation program approved by the commissioner in
Sec. 19-13-D page 73 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
accordance with this section. The department shall, upon receipt of an application
and such supporting documents as the commissioner may require, enter said licensed
registered nurse or licensed practical nurse on the nurse's aide registry.
(9) Feeding assistants may be utilized in a licensed chronic and convalescent
nursing home or rest home with nursing supervision, provided:
(A) Such facility's training program for feeding assistants is currently approved
by the department as provided in section 19-13-D8t (l)(10) of the Regulations of
Connecticut State Agencies.
(B) The feeding assistant has successfully completed at least ten hours of training
in a state-approved feeding assistant training program, which shall include:
(i) A minimum of eight (8) hours of classroom instruction, including but not
limited to:
(a) feeding techniques;
(b) safety and emergency procedures including immediate reporting to a licensed
practical nurse or registered nurse in an emergency and emergency measures for
choking, including the Heimlich Manuever;
(c) assistance with feeding and hydration;
(d) infection control;
(e) recognizing changes in resident behavior;
(f) appropriate responses to patient behavior;
(g) the importance of reporting behavioral and physical changes to a licensed
practical nurse or registered nurse;
(h) communication and interpersonal skills; and,
(i) resident rights.
(ii) At least two (2) hours of clinical practicum under the direct supervision of
a registered nurse.
(C) A record of individuals who have successfully completed the training program
for feeding assistants is maintained by the training facility and shared with other
nursing homes upon request should the feeding assistant seek employment in another
nursing home. If the facility hires a feeding assistant who has been trained at another
facility, a record of such individual's successful completion of training shall be
obtained and maintained.
(D) Feeding assistants shall only assist patients who are fed orally and do not
have any complicated feeding problems identified in the individual's medical record.
Feeding assistants shall not perform any other nursing or nursing-related tasks.
(i) Complicated feeding problems include, but are not limited to, difficulty swal-
lowing, recurrent lung aspirations and tube or parenteral/IV feedings.
(E) At no time shall a feeding assistant provide services above the following ratios:
(i) One (1) feeding assistant to feed two (2) residents at one (1) time; or,
(ii) One (1) feeding assistant to assist to cue no more than four (4) residents at
one (1) time.
(F) Any patient who is to be fed by a feeding assistant shall be initially and
periodically assessed regarding the ability to be fed by a feeding assistant pursuant
to sections 19-13-D8t (n)(1)(C) and 19-13-D8t (o)(2)(H) of the Regulations of
Connecticut State Agencies and all assessments shall be documented in the patient's
individual care plan.
(G) Feeding assistants shall function under the supervision of a licensed practical
nurse or registered nurse and shall not be included in nurse staffing requirements
and shall not be a substitute for nurse aide staffing pursuant to subsection (m) of
section 19-13-D8t of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
Sec. 19-13-D page 74 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(10) Each licensed chronic and convalescent nursing home and rest home with
nursing supervision that elects to conduct a feeding assistant training program shall
submit for approval by the department such information on its feeding assistant
training program as the commissioner may require, on forms provided by the depart-
ment. No feeding assistant training program shall commence without the approval
of the department. Training conducted pursuant to such training program shall be
performed by or under the general supervision of a registered nurse. Licensed
practical nurses and certified dieticians may serve as trainers in the feeding assistant
training program, under the supervision of the registered nurse.
(m) Nursing staff:
(1) Each facility shall employ sufficient nurses and nurse's aides to provide
appropriate care of patients housed in the facility 24 hours per day, seven days
per week.
(2) The number, qualifications, and experience of such personnel shall be suffi-
cient to assure that each patient:
(A) receives treatment, therapies, medications and nourishments as prescribed in
the patient care plan developed pursuant to subsection (o) (2) (I) of these regulations;
(B) is kept clean, comfortable and well groomed;
(C) is protected from accident, incident, infection, or other unusual occurrence.
(3) The facility's administrator and director of nurses shall meet at least once
every 30 days in order to determine the number, experience and qualifications of
staff necessary to comply with this section. The facility shall maintain written and
signed summaries of actions taken and reasons therefore.
(4) There shall be at least one registered nurse on duty 24 hours per day, seven
days per week.
(A) In a chronic and convalescent nursing home, there shall be at least one
licensed nurse on duty on each patient occupied floor at all times.
(B) In a rest home with nursing supervision, there shall be at least one nurse's
aide on duty on each patient-occupied floor at all times and intercom communication
shall be available with a licensed nurse.
(5) In no instance shall a chronic and convalescent nursing home have staff below
the following standards:
(A) Licensed nursing personnel:
7 a.m. to 9 p.m.: .47 hours per patient
9 p.m. to 7 a.m.: .17 hours per patient
(B) Total nursing and nurse's aide personnel:
7 a.m. to 9 p.m.: 1.40 hours per patient
9 p.m. to 7 a.m.: .50 hours per patient
(6) In no instance shall a rest home with nursing supervision staff below the
following standards:
(A) Licensed nursing personnel:
7 a.m. to 9 p.m.: .23 hours per patient
9 p.m. to 7 a.m.: .08 hours per patient
(B) Total nursing and nurse's aide personnel:
7 a.m. to 9 p.m.: .70 hours per patient
9 p.m. to 7 a.m.: .17 hours per patient
(7) In facilities of 61 beds or more, the director of nurses shall not be included
in satisfying the requirements of subdivisions (5) and (6) of this subsection.
(8) In facilities of 121 beds or more, the assistant director of nurses shall not be
included in satisfying the requirements of subdivisions (5) and (6) of this subsection.
Sec. 19-13-D page 75 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(n) Medical and professional services.
(1) A comprehensive medical history and medical examination shall be completed
for each patient within forty-eight (48) hours of admission; however, if the physician
who attended the patient in an acute or chronic care hospital is the same physician
who will attend the individual in the facility, a copy of a hospital discharge summary
completed within five (5) working days of admission and accompanying the patient
may serve in lieu of this requirement. A patient assessment shall be completed
within fourteen (14) days of admission and a patient care plan shall be developed
within seven (7) days of completion of the assessment.
(A) The comprehensive history shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(i) chief complaints;
(ii) history of present illness;
(iii) review of systems;
(iv) past history pertinent to the total plan of care for the patient;
(v) family medical history pertinent to the total plan of care for the patient; and
(vi) personal and social history.
(B) The comprehensive examination shall include, but not necessarily be lim-
ited to:
(i) blood pressure;
(ii) pulse;
(iii) weight;
(iv) rectal examination with a test for occult blood in stool, unless done within
one (1) year of admission;
(v) functional assessment; and
(vi) cognitive assessment, which for the purposes of these regulations shall mean
an assessment of a patient's mental and emotional status to include the patient's
ability to problem solve, decide, remember, and be aware of and respond to
safety hazards.
(C) The patient assessment and patient care plan shall be developed in accordance
with subparagraphs (H) and (I) of subsection (o) (2) of this section.
(2) Transferred Patients. When the responsibility for the care of a patient is
being transferred from one health care institution to another, the patient must be
accompanied by a medical information transfer document, which shall include the
following information:
(A) name, age, marital status, and address of patient, institution transferring the
patient, professional responsible for care at that institution, person to contact in case
of emergency, insurance or other third party payment information;
(B) chief complaints, problems, or diagnoses;
(C) other information, including physical or mental limitations, allergies, behav-
ioral and management problems;
(D) any special diet requirements;
(E) any current medications or treatments; and
(F) prognosis and rehabilitation potential.
(3) The attending physician shall record a summary of findings, problems and
diagnoses based on the data available within seven (7) days after the patient's
admission, and shall describe the overall treatment plan, including dietary orders
and rehabilitation potential and, if indicated, any further laboratory, radiologic or
other testing, consultations, medications and other treatment, and limitations on
activities.
(4) The following tests and procedures shall be performed and results recorded
in the patient's medical record within thirty (30) days after the patient's admission:
Sec. 19-13-D page 76 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(A) unless performed within one (1) year prior to admission;
(i) hematocrit, hemoglobin and red blood cell indices determination;
(ii) urinalysis, including protein and glucose qualitative determination and micro-
scopic examination;
(iii) dental examination and evaluation;
(iv) tuberculosis screening by skin test or chest X-ray;
(v) blood sugar determination; and
(vi) blood urea nitrogen or creatinine;
(B) unless performed within two (2) years prior to admission:
(i) visual acuity, grossly tested, for near and distant vision; and
(ii) for women, breast and pelvis examinations, including Papanicolau smear,
except the Papanicolau smear may be omitted if the patient is over sixty (60) years
of age and has had documented repeated satisfactory smear results without important
atypia performed during the patient's sixth decade of life, or who has had a total hys-
terectomy;
(C) unless performed within five (5) years prior to admission:
(i) tonometry on all sighted patients forty (40) years or older; and
(ii) screening and audiometry on patients who do not have a hearing aid; and
(D) unless performed within ten (10) years prior to admission:
(i) tetanus-diphtheria toxoid immunization for patients who have completed the
initial series, or the initiation of the initial series for those who have not completed
the initial series; and
(ii) screening for syphillis by a serological method.
(5) Physician Visits.
(A) Each patient in a chronic and convalescent nursing home shall be examined
by his/her personal physician at least once every thirty (30) days for the first ninety
(90) days following admission. After ninety (90) days, alternative schedules for
visits may be set if the physician determines and so justifies in the patient's medical
record that the patient's condition does not necessitate visits at thirty (30) day
intervals. At no time may the alternative schedule exceed sixty (60) days
between visits.
(B) Each patient in a rest home with nursing supervision shall be examined by
his/her personal physician at least once every sixty (60) days, unless the physician
decides this frequency is unnecessary and justifies the reason for an alternate schedule
in the patient's medical record. At no time may the alternative schedule exceed one
hundred and twenty (120) days between visits.
(6) No medication or treatments shall be given without the order of a physician
or a health care practitioner with the statutory authority to prescribe medications or
treatments. If orders are given verbally or by telephone, they shall be recorded by
an on duty licensed nurse or on duty health care practitioner with the statutory
authority to accept verbal or telephone orders with the physician's name, and shall
be signed by the physician on the next visit.
(7) Annually, each patient shall receive a comprehensive medical examination,
at which time the attending physician shall update the diagnosis and revise the
individual's overall treatment plan in accordance with such diagnosis. The compre-
hensive medical exam shall minimally include those services required in subdivision
(1) (B) of this subsection.
(8) Professional services provided to each patient by the facility shall include,
but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
(A) monthly:
(i) blood pressure, and
(ii) weight check;
Sec. 19-13-D page 77 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(B) yearly:
(i) hematocrit, hemoglobin and red blood cell indices determination;
(ii) urinalysis, including determination of qualitative protein glucose and micro-
scopic examination of urine sediment;
(iii) immunization against influenza in accordance with the recommendations of
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, established by the United States
Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(iv) blood urea nitrogen or creatinine;
(v) dental examination and evaluation;
(vi) rectal examination, including a determination for occult blood in stool, on
patients forty (40) years or over; and
(vii) breast examination on all women;
(C) every two (2) years, visual acuity, grossly tested, for near and distant vision
for sighted patients;
(D) every five (5) years:
(i) screening audiometry for patients without a hearing aid; and
(ii) tonometry for sighted patients forty (40) years or over; and
(E) every ten (10) years, tetanus-diphtheria toxoid immunization following com-
pletion of initial series.
(F) Immunization against pneumococcal disease in accordance with the recom-
mendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, estab-
lished by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(9) The requirements in this subsection for tests, procedures and immunizations
need not be repeated if previously done within the time period prescribed in this
subsection and documentation of such is recorded in the patient's medical record.
Tests and procedures shall be provided to the patient given the patient's consent
provided no medical reason or contraindication exists, or the attending physician
determines that the test or procedure is not medically necessary. Immunizations
against influenza and pneumoccal disease shall be provided in accordance with the
recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, established
by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services unless medically
contraindicated or the patient objects on religious grounds. Documentation of tests,
procedures and immunizations provided or reasons for not providing said tests,
procedures and immunization shall be so noted by the attending physician in the
patient's medical record.
(o) Medical records.
(1) Each facility shall maintain a complete medical record for each patient. All
parts of the record pertinent to the daily care and treatment of the patient shall be
maintained on the nursing unit in which the patient is located.
(2) The complete medical record shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(A) patient identification data, including name, date of admission, most recent
address prior to admission, date of birth, sex, marital status, religion, referral source,
Medicare/Medicaid number(s) or other insurance numbers, next of kin or guardian
and address and telephone number;
(B) name of patient's personal physician;
(C) signed and dated admission history and reports of physical examinations;
(D) signed and dated hospital discharge summary, if applicable;
(E) signed and dated transfer form, if applicable;
(F) complete medical diagnosis;
(G) all initial and subsequent orders by the physician;
(H) a patient assessment that shall include but not necessarily be limited to, health
history, physical, mental and social status, evaluation of problems and rehabilitation
Sec. 19-13-D page 78 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
potential, completed within fourteen (14) days of admission by all disciplines
involved in the care of the patient and promptly after a change in condition that is
expected to have lasting impact upon the patient's physical, mental or social function-
ing, conducted no less than once a year, reviewed and revised no less than once
every ninety (90) days in order to assure its continued accuracy;
(I) a patient care plan, based on the patient assessment, developed within seven
(7) days of the completion of the assessment by all disciplines involved in the care
of the patient and consistent with the objectives of the patient's personal physician,
that shall contain the identification of patient problems and needs, treatments,
approaches and measurable goals, and be reviewed at least once every ninety (90)
days thereafter;
(J) a record of visits and progress notes by the physician;
(K) nurses notes to include current condition, changes in patient condition, treat-
ments and responses to such treatments;
(L) a record of medications administered including the name and strength of
drug, date, route and time of administration, dosage administered, and, with respect
to PRN medications, reasons for administration and patient response/result observed;
(M) documentation of all care and ancillary services rendered;
(N) summaries of conferences and records of consultations;
(O) record of any treatment, medication or service refused by the patient including
the visit of a physician, signed by the patient, whenever possible, including a
statement by a licensed person that such patient was informed of the medical
consequences of such refusal; and
(P) discharge plans, as required by Section 19a-535 of the Connecticut General
Statutes and subsection (p) of this section.
(3) All entries in the patient's medical record shall be typewritten or written in ink
and legible. All entries shall be verified according to accepted professional standards.
(4) Medical records shall be safeguarded against loss, destruction or unautho-
rized use.
(5) All medical records, originals or copies, shall be preserved for at least ten
(10) years following death or discharge of the patient.
(p) Discharge planning.
(1) All discharge plans for patients transferred or discharged from a facility shall
be in writing and shall be signed by the person preparing the plan, the medical director
or the patient's personal physician, and the administrator of the discharging facility.
(2) Receipt of the discharge plan and acknowledgement of consultation with
respect thereto shall be evidenced by the signature of the patient, or that patient's
legally liable relative, guardian or conservator.
(3) All discharge plans shall be maintained as a part of the patient's medical
record.
(4) In addition to the requirements of the Connecticut General Statutes Section
19a-535 (c), the following information shall be included in a written notice of
discharge or transfer:
(A) In the case of residents with developmental disabilities, the name, mailing
address and telephone number of the agency responsible for the protection and
advocacy of the developmentally disabled;
(B) In the case of mentally ill residents, the name, mailing address and telephone
number of the agency responsible for the protection and advocacy of the mentally ill.
(q) Dietary services.
(1) Each facility shall meet the daily nutritional needs of the patients by providing
dietary services directly or through contract.
Sec. 19-13-D page 79 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(2) The facility shall:
(A) Provide a diet for each patient, as ordered by the patient's personal physician,
based upon current recommended dietary allowances of the Food and Nutrition
Board of the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, adjusted
for age, sex, weight, physical activity, and therapeutic needs of the patients;
(B) Adopt a diet manual, as recommended by the facility dietitian or dietary
consultant and approved by the facility's medical staff. Such manual shall be used
to plan, order, and prepare regular and therapeutic diets;
(C) Employ a dietetic service supervisor, who shall supervise the overall operation
of the dietary service.
If such supervisor is not a dietitian, the facility shall contract for regular consulta-
tion of a dietitian;
(D) Employ sufficient personnel to carry out the functions of the dietary service
and to provide continuous service over a period of 12 hours, which period shall
include all mealtimes.
(3) The facility shall ensure that the dietary service:
(A) Considers the patients' cultural backgrounds, food habits, and personal food
preferences in the selection of menus and preparation of foods and beverages pursuant
to subdivisions (2) (A) and (2) (B) of this subsection;
(B) Has written and dated menus, approved by a dietitian, planned at least seven
days in advance;
(C) Posts current menus and any changes thereto with the minimum portion sizes
in a conspicuous place in both food preparation and patient areas;
(D) Serves at least three meals, or their equivalent, daily at regular hours, with
not more than a 14 hour span between evening meal and breakfast;
(E) Provides appropriate food substitutes of similar nutritional value to patients
who refuse the food served;
(F) Provides bedtime nourishments for each patient, unless medically contraindi-
cated and documented in the patient's care plan;
(G) Provides special equipment, implements or utensils to assist patients while
eating, when necessary;
(H) Maintains at least three day supply of staple foods at all times.
(4) All patients shall be encouraged to eat in the dining room unless medically con-
traindicated.
(5) Records of menus served and food purchased shall be maintained for at least
30 days.
(r) Therapeutic Recreation.
(1) Each facility shall have a therapeutic recreation program. The program shall
include mentally and physically stimulating activities to meet individual needs and
interests, and shall be consistent with the overall plan of care for each patient.
(2) Each facility shall employ therapeutic recreation director(s).
(A) Persons employed as therapeutic recreation director(s) in a chronic and conva-
lescent nursing home and rest home with nursing supervision on or before June 30,
1982 shall have a minimum of a high school diploma or high school equivalency,
and shall have completed a minimum of 80 hours of training in therapeutic recreation.
As of July 1, 1992, persons who meet these criteria but who have not been employed
as therapeutic recreation director(s) in a chronic and convalescent nursing home
and/or rest home with nursing supervision for two continuous years immediately
preceding reemployment in such capacity shall be required to meet the requirements
of Section 19-13-D8t (r) (2) (c).
(B) Persons beginning employment as therapeutic recreation director(s) in a
chronic and convalescent nursing home and/or rest home with nursing supervision
Sec. 19-13-D page 80 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
between July 1, 1982 and June 30, 1992 shall have the following minimum qualifi-
cations:
(i) An Associates Degree with a major emphasis in therapeutic recreation; or
(ii) Enrollment in a Connecticut certificate program in therapeutic recreation; or
(iii) A Bachelors Degree in a related field and one year of full time employment
in therapeutic recreation in a health care facility; or
(iv) A Bachelors Degree in a related field and six credit hours in therapeutic
recreation; or
(v) An Associates Degree in a related field and two years of full time employment
in therapeutic recreation in a health care facility; or
(vi) An Associates Degree in a related field and nine credit hours in therapeu-
tic recreation.
(vii) As of July 1, 1992, persons who met these criteria but who have not been
employed as a therapeutic recreation director in a health care facility for two
continuous years immediately preceding reemployment in such capacity shall be
required to meet the requirements of Section 19-13-D8t (r) (2) (C).
(C) Persons beginning employment as therapeutic recreation director(s) in a
chronic and convalescent nursing home and/or rest home with nursing supervision
on or after July 1, 1992 shall have the following minimum qualifications:
(i) An associates degree with a major emphasis in therapeutic recreation; or
(ii) A high school diploma or equivalency and enrollment within six months of
employment in a Connecticut certificate program in therapeutic recreation. Each
facility shall maintain records of the individual's successful completion of courses
and continued participation in a minimum of one course per semester; or
(iii) A bachelors degree in a related field and one year of full time employment
in therapeutic recreation in a health care facility; or
(iv) A bachelors degree in a related field and six credit hours in therapeutic
recreation; or
(v) An associates degree in a related field and two years of full time employment
in therapeutic recreation in a health care facility; or
(vi) An associates degree in a related field and nine credit hours in therapeutic rec-
reation.
(D) ``Related field'' in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this subdivision shall include
but not be limited to the following: sociology, social work, psychology, recreation,
art, music, dance or drama therapy, the health sciences, education or other related
field as approved by the commissioner or his/her designee.
(3) Therapeutic recreation director(s) shall be employed in each facility sufficient
to meet the following ratio of hours per week to the number of licensed beds in
the facility:
1 to 15 beds, 10 hours during any three days;
16 to 30 beds, 20 hours during any five days;
Each additional 30 beds or fraction thereof, 20 additional hours.
(4) Monthly calendars of therapeutic recreation activities and patient participation
records for each level of care shall be maintained at each facility for twelve months.
These shall be available for review by representatives of the department.
(A) The calendar for the current month for each level of care shall be completed
by the first day of the month.
(B) Records of patient participation shall be maintained on a daily basis.
(C) The facility shall submit these records to the department upon the depart-
ment's request.
Sec. 19-13-D page 81 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(5) An individual therapeutic recreation plan shall be developed for each patient,
which shall be incorporated in the overall plan of care for that patient.
(s) Social Work.
(1) Definitions:
(A) Social Work Designee
A social work designee shall have at least an associate's degree in social work
or in a related human service field. Any person employed as a social work designee
on January 1, 1989 shall be eligible to continue in the facility of employment
without restriction.
(B) Qualified Social Worker
A qualified social worker shall hold at least a bachelor's degree in social work
from a college or university which was accredited by the Council on Social Work
Education at the time of his or her graduation, and have at least one year social
work experience in a health care facility. An individual who has a bachelor's degree
in a field other than social work and a certificate in Post Baccalaureate Studies in
Social Work awarded before the effective date of these regulations by a college
accredited by the Department of Higher Education, and at least one year social
work experience in a health care facility, may perform the duties and carry out the
responsibilities of a qualified social worker for up to three years after the effective
date of these regulations.
(C) Qualified Social Work Consultant
A qualified social work consultant shall hold at least a master's degree in social
work from a college or university which was accredited by the Council on Social
Work Education at the time of his or her graduation and have at least one year
post-graduate social work experience in a health care facility. An individual who
holds a bachelor's degree in social work from a college or university which was
accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the time of his or her
graduation, and is under contract as a social work consultant on January 1, 1989,
shall be eligible to continue functioning without restriction as a social work consultant
in the facility(ies) which had contracted his or her services.
(2) Each facility shall employ social work service staff to meet the social and
emotional problems and/or needs of the patients based on their medical and/or
psychiatric diagnosis.
(3) The administrator of the facility shall designate in writing a qualified social
worker or social work designee as responsible for the social work service.
(4) The social work service shall be directed by a qualified social worker or a
social work designee. If the service is under the direction of a social work designee
the facility shall contract for the regular consultation of a qualified social work
consultant at least on a quarterly basis.
(5) Social work service staff shall be employed in each facility sufficient to meet
the needs of the patients but not less than the following ratio of hours per week to
the number of licensed beds in the facility:
(A) One (1) to thirty (30) beds, ten (10) hours per week.
(B) Thirty-one (31) to sixty (60) beds, twenty (20) hours per week.
(C) Each additional thirty (30) beds or fraction thereof, ten (10) additional hours.
(6) Written social work service policies and procedures shall be developed and
implemented by a qualified social worker, or social work designee under the direction
of a qualified social work consultant, and ratified by the governing body of the
facility. Such standards shall include, but not be limited to:
Sec. 19-13-D page 82 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(A) Ensuring the confidentiality of all patients' social, emotional, and medical
information, in accordance with the General Statutes of Connecticut, Section 19a-
550 (a) (8).
(B) Requiring a prompt referral to an appropriate agency for patients or families
in need of financial assistance and requiring that a record is maintained of each
referral to such agency in the patient's medical record.
(7) The social work service shall help each patient to adjust to the social and
emotional aspects of the patient's illness, treatment, and stay in the facility. The
medically related social and emotional needs of the patient and family shall be
identified, a plan of care developed, and measurable goals set in accordance with
the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies Sections 19-13-D8t (o) (2) (H) and
(o) (2) (I).
(8) All staff of the facility shall receive inservice training by or under the direction
of a qualified social worker or social work designee each year concerning patients'
personal and property rights pursuant to Section 19a-550 of the Connecticut Gen-
eral Statutes.
(9) All staff of the facility shall receive inservice training by a qualified social
worker or qualified social work consultant each year in an area specific to the needs
of the facility's patient population.
(10) A qualified social worker or social work designee shall participate in planning
for the discharge and transfer of each patient.
(11) Office facilities shall be easily accessible to patients and staff or alternate
arrangements shall be available. Each facility shall ensure privacy for interviews
between staff and: patients, patients' families and patients' next friend.
(t) Infection control.
(1) Each facility shall have an infection control committee which meets at least
quarterly, and whose membership shall include representatives from the facility's
administration, medical staff, nursing staff, pharmacy, dietary department, mainte-
nance, and housekeeping. Minutes of all meetings shall be maintained.
(2) The committee shall be responsible for the development of:
(A) an infection prevention, surveillance, and control program which shall have
as its purpose the protection of patients and personnel from institution-associated
or community-associated infections; and
(B) policies and procedures for investigating, controlling and preventing infec-
tions in the facility and recommendations to implement such policy.
(3) The facility shall designate a registered nurse to be responsible for the day-
to-day operation of a surveillance program under the direction of the infection
control committee.
(u) Emergency preparedness plan.
(1) The facility shall have a written emergency preparedness plan which shall
include procedures to be followed in case of medical emergencies, or in the event
all or part of the building becomes uninhabitable because of a natural or other
disaster. The plan shall be submitted to the local fire marshal or, if none, the state
fire marshal for comment prior to its adoption.
(2) The plan shall specify the following procedures:
(A) Identification and notification of appropriate persons;
(B) Instructions as to locations and use of emergency equipment and alarm
systems;
(C) Tasks and responsibilities assigned to all personnel;
(D) Evacuation routes;
(E) Procedures for relocation and/or evacuation of patients;
(F) Transfer of casualties;
Sec. 19-13-D page 83 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(G) Transfer of records;
(H) Care and feeding of patients;
(I) Handling of drugs and biologicals.
(3) A copy of the plan shall be maintained on each nursing unit and service area. Copies
of those sections of the plan relating to subdivisions (2) (B) and (2) (D) above shall be
conspicuously posted.
(4) Drills testing the effectiveness of the plan shall be conducted on each shift at least
four times per year. A written record of each drill, including the date, hour, description of
drill, and signatures of participating staff and the person in charge shall be maintained by
the facility.
(5) All personnel shall receive training in emergency preparedness as part of their employ-
ment orientation. Staff shall be required to read and acknowledge by signature understanding
of the emergency preparedness plan as part of the orientation. The content and participants
of the training orientation shall be documented in writing.
(6) Emergency Distribution of Potassium Iodide. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, during a public health emergency declared
by the Governor pursuant to section 2 of public act 03-236 and, if authorized by the Commis-
sioner of Public Health via the emergency alert system or other communication system, a
chronic and convalescent nursing home and rest home with nursing supervision licensed
under chapter 368v of the Connecticut General Statutes that is located within a 10 mile radius
of the Millstone Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut, shall be permitted to distribute
and administer potassium iodide tablets to facility staff or visitors present at the chronic and
convalescent nursing home, or rest home with nursing supervision during such emergency,
provided that:
(1) Prior written consent has been obtained by the chronic and convalescent nursing home,
or rest home with nursing supervision for such provision. Written consent forms shall be
provided by the chronic and convalescent nursing home, or rest home with nursing supervision
to each resident, or resident's conservator, guardian, or legal representative currently admitted
and to each employee currently employed promptly upon the effective date of this subdivision.
Thereafter, written consent forms shall be provided by the chronic and convalescent nursing
home, or rest home with nursing supervision to each resident, or resident's conservator,
guardian, or legal representative upon admission to such facility and to each new employee
upon hire. Such documentation shall be kept at the facility;
(2) Each person providing consent has been advised in writing by the chronic and convales-
cent nursing home, or rest home with nursing supervision that the ingestion of potassium
iodide is voluntary;
(3) Each person providing consent has been advised in writing by the chronic and convales-
cent nursing home, or rest home with nursing supervision about the contraindications and
the potential side effects of taking potassium iodide, which include:
(A) persons who are allergic to iodine should not take potassium iodide;
(B) persons with chronic hives, lupus, or other conditions with hypocomplementemic
vasculitis should not take potassium iodide;
(C) persons with Graves disease or people taking certain heart medications should talk to
their physician before there is an emergency to decide whether or not to take potassium
iodide; and,
(D) side effects including minor upset stomach or rash.
(4) Only those individuals with applicable statutory authority may distribute and administer
potassium iodide to residents for whom written consent has been obtained; and,
(5) Potassium iodide tablets shall be stored in a locked storage area or container.
(v) Physical plant.
(1) Owner certification.
(A) All owners of real property or improvements thereon that are used as or in
connection with an institution as defined by section 19a-490 of Connecticut General
Statutes, shall apply to the Department for a Certificate of Compliance with the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
Sec. 19-13-D page 84 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(B) Such application shall be made on forms provided by the department and
shall include the following information:
(i) the names, addresses and business telephone numbers of the owner which
term shall include any person who owns a ten (10) percent or greater interest in
the property equity, any general partner if the owner is a limited partnership, any
officer, director and statutory agent for service of process if the owner is a corpora-
tion, and any partner if the owner is a general partnership;
(ii) a statement as to equity owned, that shall include the fair market value of
the property as reflected by the current municipal assessment and all outstanding
mortgages and liens including the current amounts due and names and addresses
of holders;
(iii) if the property is owned by a person other than the licensee, a copy of the
current lease or a summary thereof that shall include all rental payments required
including additional rent of any kind and tax payments, any termination provisions,
and a statement setting forth the responsibilities and authority of the respective
parties to maintain or renovate the said real property and improvements; and
(iv) if the owner is a corporation and is incorporated in a state other than Connecti-
cut, a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the state of incorporation.
(C) upon receipt of such application, if the Department has conducted a licensure
inspection within the preceding nine (9) months, the Department shall either:
(i) issue the requested certificate; or
(ii) advise the applicant of repairs that must be made to comply with the Regula-
tions of Connecticut State Agencies.
(D) If the Department has not conducted such an inspection, it shall do so within
sixty (60) days of receipt of the application and within thirty (30) days of such
inspection shall either:
(i) issue the requested certificate; or
(ii) advise the applicant of repairs that must be made to comply with the Regula-
tions of Connecticut State Agencies.
(E) Upon receipt of satisfactory evidence that said repairs have been made or
will be made in a timely fashion, the Department shall issue the requested certificate.
(F) No repair shall be required pursuant hereto if the condition cited pre-existed
the effective date of the adoption of the violated standard unless the commissioner
or his/her designee shall make a specific determination that the repair is necessary
to protect the health, safety or welfare of the patients in the concerned facility.
(G) Any owner who commences any proceeding or action that affects or has the
potential to affect the rights of a licensee of a facility or institution as defined in
Section 19a-490 of the Connecticut General Statutes to continue to occupy leased
premises shall immediately notify the Department of such proceeding or action by
certified mail.
(2) The standards established by the following sources for the construction,
alteration or renovation of all facilities as they may be amended from time to time,
are hereby incorporated and made a part hereof by reference. In the event of
inconsistent provisions, the most stringent standards shall apply:
(A) State of Connecticut Basic Building Codes;
(B) State of Connecticut Fire Safety Code;
(C) National Fire Protection Association Standards, Health Care Facilities, No.
99;
(D) AIA publication, ``Guidelines for Construction and Equipment of Hospital
and Medical Facilities,'' 1992±1993;
(E) local fire, safety, health, and building codes and ordinances; and
(F) other provisions of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies that
may apply.
(3) Any facility licensed after the effective date of these regulations shall conform
with the construction requirements described herein. Any facility licensed prior to the
Sec. 19-13-D page 85 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
effective date of these regulations shall comply with the construction requirements in
effect at the time of licensure; provided, however, that if the commissioner or his/
her designee shall determine that a pre-existing non-conformity with this subsection
creates serious risk of harm to patients in a facility, the commissioner may order
such facility to comply with the pertinent portion of this subsection.
(4) Review of plans. Plans and specifications for new construction and rehabilita-
tion, alteration, addition, or modification of an existing structure shall be approved
by the Department on the basis of compliance with the Regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies after the approval of such plans and specifications by local building
inspectors and fire marshals, and prior to the start of construction.
(5) Site.
(A) All facilities licensed for more than one hundred and twenty (120) beds shall
be connected to public water and sanitary sewer systems.
(B) Each facility shall provide the following:
(i) roads and walkways to the main entrance and service areas, including loading
and unloading space for delivery trucks;
(ii) paved exits that terminate at a public way; and
(iii) an open outdoor area with a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet per
patient excluding structures and paved parking areas.
(6) The facility shall provide sufficient space to accommodate all business and
administrative functions.
(7) Patient rooms.
(A) Maximum room capacity shall be four (4) patients.
(B) Net minimum room area, exclusive of closets, and toilet room, shall be at
least one hundred (100) square feet for single bedrooms, and eighty (80) square
feet per individual in multi-bed rooms. No dimension of any room shall be less
than ten (10) feet.
(C) No bed shall be between two (2) other patient beds, and at least a three (3)
foot clearance shall be provided at the sides and the foot of each bed.
(D) Window sills shall not be higher than three (3) feet above the finished floor.
Storm windows or insulated glass windows shall be provided. All windows used
for ventilation shall have screens.
(E) The following equipment shall be provided for each patient in each room:
(i) one (1) closet with clothes rod and shelf of sufficient size and design to
hang clothing;
(ii) one (1) dresser with three (3) separate storage areas for patient's clothing;
(iii) one (1) adjustable hospital bed with gatch spring, side rails, and casters,
provided, however, that a rest home with nursing supervision need not provide a
hospital bed for a patient whose patient care plan indicates that such equipment is
unnecessary and that a regular bed is sufficient;
(iv) one (1) moisture proof mattress;
(v) one (1) enclosed bedside table;
(vi) one (1) wall-mounted overbed light;
(vii) one (1) overbed table;
(viii) one (1) armchair; and
(ix) one (1) mirror.
(F) Sinks.
(i) In single or double rooms, one (1) sink shall be provided in the toilet room.
(ii) In rooms for three (3) and more individuals, there shall be one (1) sink in
the patient room and one (1) sink in the toilet room.
(G) Curtains that allow for complete privacy for each individual in multi-bed
rooms shall be provided.
(H) All patient rooms shall open into a common corridor and shall have at least
one (1) outside window wall.
Sec. 19-13-D page 86 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
(I) All patient rooms shall be located within one hundred and thirty (130) feet
of a nursing station.
(8) Patient toilet and bathing facilities.
(A) A toilet room shall be directed accessible from each patient room. One (1)
toilet room may serve two (2) rooms but not more than four (4) beds.
(B) One (1) shower stall or bathtub shall be provided for each fifteen (15)
beds not individually served. A toilet and sink shall be directly accessible to the
bathing area.
(C) There shall be at least one (1) bathtub in each nursing unit. At least one (1)
bathtub per floor shall be elevated and have at least three (3) feet clearance on three
(3) sides.
(D) Bathing and shower rooms shall be of sufficient size to accommodate one
(1) patient and one (1) attendant and shall not have curbs. Controls shall be located
outside shower stalls.
(9) Nursing service areas.
(A) Each facility shall provide the following nursing service areas for each thirty
(30) beds or fraction thereof:
(i) a nursing station of at least one hundred (100) square feet which may serve
up to sixty (60) beds if an additional fifty (50) square feet are provided;
(ii) a nurses' toilet room convenient to each nursing station;
(iii) a clean workroom of at least eighty (80) square feet which may serve up to
sixty (60) beds if an additional twenty (20) square feet are provided;
(iv) a soiled workroom of at least sixty (60) square feet which may serve up to
sixty (60) beds if an additional thirty (30) square feet are provided, and shall
minimally contain a handwashing sink, a bedpan flushing and washing device and
a flush rim sink;
(v) a medicine room of at least thirty-five (35) square feet adjacent to the nursing
station, secured with a key bolted door lock, and including one (1) sink, one (1)
refrigerator, locked storage space, a non-portable steel narcotics locker with a locked
cabinet, and equipment for preparing and dispensing of medications;
(vi) clean linen storage area;
(vii) an equipment storage room of at least eighty (80) square feet; and
(viii) storage space of at least twelve (12) square feet for oxygen cylinders.
(B) Each facility shall provide at least one (1) nourishment station on each floor,
that shall include storage space, one (1) sink, and one (1) refrigerator.
(10) Medical and therapeutic treatment facilities.
(A) Each facility shall provide one (1) examination room, with a treatment table,
storage space, and a sink.
(B) Each chronic and convalescent nursing home shall provide an exercise and
treatment room for physical therapy, consisting of at least two hundred (200) square
feet. Such room shall include a sink, cubicle curtains around treatment areas, storage
space for supplies and equipment, and a toilet room.
(11) Common patient areas. Each facility shall provide the following:
(A) at least one (1) lounge on each floor with a minimum area of two hundred
and twenty-five (225) square feet for each thirty (30) beds or fraction thereof;
(B) a dining area in a chronic and convalescent facility with a minimum of fifteen
(15) square feet per patient with total area sufficient to accommodate at least fifty
(50) percent of the total patient capacity; a dining area in a rest home with nursing
supervision with a minimum capacity of fifteen (15) square feet per patient with
total area sufficient to accommodate the total patient capacity; and
(C) a recreation area, that shall consist of a minimum of twelve (12) square feet
per bed, of which fifty (50) percent of the aggregate area shall be located within
one (1) space with an additional one hundred (100) square feet provided for storage
of supplies and equipment.
Sec. 19-13-D page 87 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(12) Dietary facilities. Each facility shall provide dietary facilities, that shall
include the following:
(A) a kitchen, centrally located, segregated from other areas and large enough
to allow for working space and equipment for the proper storage, preparation and
storage of food;
(B) a dishwashing room, that shall be designed to separate dirty and clean dishes
and includes a breakdown area;
(C) disposal facilities for waste, separate from the food preparation or patient
areas;
(D) stainless steel tables and counters;
(E) an exhaust fan over the range and steam equipment;
(F) a water supply at the range;
(G) a breakdown area and space for returnable containers;
(H) office space for the food service supervisor or dietitian; and
(I) janitor's closet.
(13) Miscellaneous facilities. Each facility shall provide:
(A) A personal care room, that shall include equipment for hair care and grooming
needs; and
(B) A holding room for deceased persons that is at least six (6) feet by eight (8)
feet, mechanically ventilated, and used solely for its specific purpose.
(14) Storage.
(A) General storage space shall consist of at least ten (10) square feet per bed,
and shall be located according to use and demand.
(B) Storage space for patient's clothing and personal possessions not kept in the
room shall consist of at least two (2) feet by three (3) feet by four (4) feet per bed
and shall be easily accessible.
(15) Laundry.
(A) The facility shall handle and process laundry in a manner to insure infec-
tion control.
(B) No facility without public water and sanitary sewers may process laundry
on site. Off site services shall be performed by a commercial laundering service.
(C) The facility shall provide the following:
(i) a soiled linen holding room;
(ii) a clean linen mending and storage room;
(iii) linen cart storage space; and
(iv) linen and towels sufficient for three (3) times the licensed capacity of the
facility.
(D) On site processing. The following shall be required for facilities that process
laundry on site:
(i) laundry processing room, with commercial equipment;
(ii) storage space for laundry supplies;
(iii) a handwashing sink;
(iv) a deep sink for soaking;
(v) equipment for ironing; and
(vi) janitor's closet.
(16) Mechanical systems.
(A) Elevators.
(i) Where patient beds or patient facilities are located on any floor other than
the main entrance, the size and number of elevators shall be based on the following
criteria: number of floors, number of beds per floor, procedures or functions per-
formed on upper floors, and level of care provided.
(ii) In no instance shall elevators provided be less than the following: for one
(1) to sixty (60) beds located above the main floor, one (1) hospital type elevator;
for sixty-one (61) to two hundred (200) beds located above the main floor, two (2)
Sec. 19-13-D page 88 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
hospital type elevators; and for two hundred and one (201) to three hundred and
fifty (350) beds located above the main floor, three (3) hospital type elevators. For
facilities with more than three hundred and fifty (350) beds located above the main
floor, the number of elevators shall be determined from a study of the facility plan.
(iii) Elevator vestibules shall have two (2) hour construction with self-closing
one and one-half (11/2) inch fire rated doors held open by electro-magnetic devices
that are connected to an automatic alarm system.
(B) Steam and hot water systems.
(i) Boilers shall have a capacity sufficient to meet the Steel Boiler Institute or
Institute of Boiler and Radiator Manufacturer's net ratings to supply the requirements
of all systems and equipment.
(ii) Provisions shall be made for auxilliary emergency service.
(C) Air conditioning, heating and ventilating systems.
(i) All air-supply and air-exhaust systems for interior rooms shall be mechanically
operated. All fans serving exhaust systems shall be located at or near the point of
discharge from the building.
(ii) Corridors shall not be used to supply air to or exhaust air from any room.
(iii) All systems that serve more than one (1) smoke or fire zone shall be equipped
with smoke detectors to shut down fans automatically. Access for maintenance of
detectors shall be provided at all dampers.
(D) Plumbing and other piping systems.
(i) Plumbing fixtures. All fixtures used by medical staff, nursing staff, and food
handlers shall be trimmed with valves that can be operated without the use of hands.
Where blade handles are used for this purpose, they shall be at least four and one-
half (41/2) inches in length, except that handles on clinical sinks shall be not less
than six (6) inches long.
(ii) Water supply systems. Systems shall be designed to supply water to the
fixtures and equipment on the upper floor at a minimum pressure of fifteen (15)
pounds per square inch during maximum demand periods. Each water service main,
branch main, riser and branch to a group of fixtures shall be valved. Stop valves
shall be provided at each fixture. Hot water plumbing fixtures intended for patient
use shall carry water at temperatures between one hundred and five degrees (105°)
and one hundred and twenty degrees (120°) Fahrenheit.
(17) Electrical system.
(A) Circuit breakers or fusible switches shall be enclosed with a dead-front type
of assembly. The main switchboard shall be located in a separate enclosure accessible
only to authorized persons.
(B) Lighting and appliance panel boards shall be provided for the circuits on
each floor. This requirement does not apply to emergency system circuits.
(C) All spaces within the building, approaches, thereto, and parking lots shall
have electric lighting. Patients' bedrooms shall have general, overbed, and night
lighting. A reading light shall be provided for each patient. Patients' overbed lights
shall not be switched at the door. Night lights shall be switched at the nursing station.
(D) Receptacles.
(i) Each patient room shall have at least one (1) duplex grounding receptacle on
each wall.
(ii) Corridors. Duplex grounding receptacles for general use shall be installed
approximately fifty (50) feet apart in all corridors and within twenty-five (25) feet
of ends of corridors.
(iii) Any facility constructed shall conform with the requirements described
herein. Receptacles that provide emergency power shall be red and indicate their
use. One (1) such receptacle shall be installed next to each resident's bed.
(E) A nurses' calling station shall be installed at each patient bed, toilet, bathing
fixture and patient lounges:
Sec. 19-13-D page 89 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8t
(i) All calls shall register a visible and audible sound at the station, and shall
activate a visible signal in the corridor at the patient's door, in the clean and soiled
workrooms and in the nourishment station of the nursing unit from which the patient
is signaling. In multi-corridor nursing units, intersections shall have additional
visible signals.
(ii) In rooms containing two (2) or more stations, indicating lights shall be
provided at each station.
(iii) No more than two (2) cords shall be used at each station.
(iv) Stations at toilet and bathing fixtures shall be emergency stations. The emer-
gency signal shall be cancelled only at the source of the call.
(v) Nurses' call systems shall provide two-way voice communication and shall
be equipped with an indicating light at each station. Such lights shall remain lighted
as long as the voice circuit is operative.
(18) Emergency service.
(A) The facility shall provide on the premises an emergency source of electricity,
that shall have the capacity to deliver eighty (80) percent of normal power and shall
be sufficient to provide for regular nursing care and treatment and the safety of the
occupants. Such source shall be reserved for emergency use.
(B) When fuel to the facility is not piped from a utility distribution system, fuel
shall be stored at the facility sufficient to provide seventy-two (72) hours of service.
(19) Details of construction.
(A) Patient rooms. Patient rooms shall be numbered and have the room capac-
ity posted.
(B) Doors.
(i) Minimum door widths to patient sleeping rooms shall be three feet-ten inches
(3¢-10²).
(ii) Doors to utility rooms shall be equipped with hospital-type hardware that
will permit opening without the use of the hands.
(iii) Door hardware for patient use shall be of a design to permit ease of opening.
(iv) Doors to patient room toilet rooms and tub or shower rooms may be lockable
if provided with hardware that will permit access in any emergency. Such a room
shall have visual indication that it is occupied.
(v) No doors shall swing into the corridor except closet doors.
(C) Corridors.
(i) Minimum width of patient use corridors shall be eight (8) feet.
(ii) Handrails shall be provided on both sides of patient use corridors. Such
handrails shall have ends returned to the walls, a height of thirty-one (31) inches
above the finished floor and shall protrude one and one-half (11/2) inches from
the wall.
(iii) No objects shall be located so as to project into the required width of corridors.
(D) Grab bars, with sufficient strength and anchorage to sustain two hundred
and fifty (250) pounds for five (5) minutes shall be provided at all patients' toilets,
showers, and tubs.
(E) Linen and refuse chutes shall be designed as follows:
(i) Service openings to chutes shall be located in a room of not less than two
(2) hour fire-resistive construction, and the entrance door to such room shall be a
Class ``B,'' one and one-half (11/2) hour rated door.
(ii) Gravity-type chutes shall be equipped with washdown device.
(iii) Chutes shall terminate in or discharge directly into collection rooms. Separate
collection rooms shall be provided for refuse and linen.
(F) Dumbwaiters, conveyers, and material handling systems shall open into a
room enclosed by not less than two (2) hours fire resistive construction. The entrance
door to such room shall be a Class ``B,'' one and one-half (11/2) hour fire rated door.
(G) Ceiling heights shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Storage rooms, patients' toilet rooms, and janitor's closets, closets, etc., and
other minor rooms shall have ceilings not less than seven feet-eight inches (7¢ 8²)
Sec. 19-13-D page 90 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8t
above the finished floor. Ceilings for all other rooms, patient areas, nurse service
areas, etc., shall not be less than eight feet-zero inches (8¢ 0²) above the finished floor.
(ii) Ceilings shall be washable or easily cleanable. Non-pervious surface finishes
shall be provided in dietary department, soiled utility rooms and bath/shower rooms.
(iii) Ceilings shall be acoustically treated in corridors, patient areas, nurses'
stations, nourishment stations, recreation and dining areas.
(H) Boiler rooms, food preparation centers, and laundries shall be insulated and
ventilated to maintain comfortable temperature levels on the floor above.
(I) Fire extinguishers shall be provided in recessed locations throughout the
building and shall be located not more than five feet-zero inches (5¢ 0²) above
the floor.
(J) Floors and walls.
(i) In all areas where floors are subject to wetting, they shall have a non-slip finish.
(ii) Floors shall be easily cleanable.
(iii) Floor materials, threshold, and expansion joint covers shall be flush with
each other.
(iv) Walls shall be cleanable and, in the immediate area of plumbing fixtures,
the finish shall be moistureproof.
(v) Service pipes in food preparation areas and laundries shall be enclosed.
(vi) Floor and wall penetrations by pipes, ducts and conduits and all joints between
floors and walls shall be tightly sealed.
(K) Cubicle curtains and draperies shall be noncombustible or rendered flame
retardant.
(L) Windows shall be designed to prevent accidental falls when open.
(M) Mirrors shall be arranged for use by patients in wheelchairs as well as by
patients in a standing position.
(N) Soap and paper towels shall be provided at all handwash facilities used
by staff.
(O) Prior to licensure of the facility, all electrical and mechanical systems shall
be tested, balanced, and operated to demonstrate that the installation and performance
of these systems conform to the requirements of the plans and specifications.
(P) Any balcony shall have railings. Such railings shall not be less than forty-
eight (48) inches above finished floor.
(20) Required equipment. The following equipment shall be provided by each
facility.
(A) one (1) stretcher per nursing unit;
(B) one (1) suction machine per nursing unit;
(C) one (1) oxygen cylinder with transport carrier per nursing unit;
(D) one (1) telephone per nursing unit;
(E) one (1) large, bold-faced clock per nursing unit;
(F) one (1) patient lift per floor;
(G) one (1) ice machine per floor;
(H) one (1) watercooler per floor;
(I) one (1) autoclave per facility; and
(J) one (1) chair or bed scale per facility.
(Effective March 30, 1994; amended March 29, 2001, March 8, 2004, January 4, 2005, May 1, 2007)
Sec. 19-13-D8u. Intravenous therapy programs in chronic and convalescent
nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision
(a) As used in this section:
(1) ``Administer'' means to initiate the venipuncture and deliver an IV fluid or
IV admixture into the blood stream via a vein, and to monitor and care for the
venipuncture site, terminate the procedure, and record pertinent events and obser-
vations;
(2) ``IV Admixture'' means an IV fluid to which one or more additional drug
products have been added;
Sec. 19-13-D page 91 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8u
(3) ``IV Fluid'' means sterile solutions of 50 ml or more, intended for intravenous
infusion but excluding blood and blood products;
(4) ``IV therapy'' means the introduction of an IV fluid or IV admixture into the
blood stream via a vein for the purpose of correcting water deficit and electrolyte
imbalances, providing nutrition, and delivering antibiotics and other therapeutic
agents approved by the facility's medical staff;
(5) ``IV therapy program'' means the overall plan by which the facility imple-
ments, monitors and safeguards the administration of IV therapy to patients;
(6) ``IV therapy nurse'' means a registered nurse who is qualified by education
and training and has demonstrated proficiency in the theoretical and clinical aspects
of IV therapy to administer an IV fluid or IV admixture.
(b) Intravenous Therapy Program Prohibited; Exceptions. The administration
of IV therapy in chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with
nursing supervision is prohibited except when administered directly by a licensed
physician or as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) IV Therapy Programs in Chronic and Convalescent Nursing Homes. IV
Therapy may be administered in a chronic and convalescent nursing home in accord-
ance with the following requirements:
(1) The IV therapy program shall be developed and implemented in a manner
which ensures safe care for all patients receiving IV therapy which shall include at
least the following:
(A) A description of the objectives, goals and scope of the IV therapy program;
(B) Names and titles, duties and responsibilities, of persons responsible for the
direction, supervision and control of the program. Alternates shall be named in
their absences;
(C) Written policies and procedures concerning:
(i) Establishment of the standards of education, training, ongoing supervision, in-
service education and evaluation of all personnel in the program including the IV
therapy nurses, licensed nursing personnel and supportive nursing personnel;
(ii) The origin, form, content, duration and documentation of physician orders
for IV therapy;
(iii) The safe administration, monitoring, documentation and termination of IV
therapy;
(iv) The safe preparation, labeling and handling of IV admixtures;
(v) The procurement, maintenance, and storage of specific types of equipment
and solutions which will be used in the program;
(vi) IV therapy related complications, early recognition of the signs and symptoms
of sepsis and acute untoward reaction, and appropriate intervention in a timely
manner;
(vii) Surveillance, prevention and review of infections associated with IV therapy;
(viii) The ongoing review of the effectiveness and safety of the program to include
problem identification, corrective action and documentation of same;
(2) An IV therapy nurse in a chronic and convalescent nursing home operating
an IV therapy program pursuant to a physician order may:
(A) Initiate a venipuncture in a peripheral vein and deliver an IV fluid or IV
admixture into the blood stream;
(B) Deliver an IV fluid or IV admixture into a central vein;
(3) Only a physician may initiate and terminate a central vein access.
(4) Licensed nursing personnel may deliver an IV fluid or IV admixture into the
blood stream via existing lines, monitor, care for the venipuncture site, terminate
the procedure, and record pertinent events and observations.
(5) A log shall be maintained of each IV therapy procedure initiated and made
available upon the request of the Commissioner of Public Health. The log shall
record as a minimum the following information: Date and time of initiating the IV
Sec. 19-13-D page 92 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8u
therapy; name of patient; name of prescriber; description of the IV therapy; date
and time of terminating the IV therapy; outcome of the IV therapy; and, complications
encountered, if any.
(Effective May 20, 1985; amended March 8, 2004)
Sec. 19-13-D8v. Pharmaceutical services in chronic and convalescent nursing
homes and rest homes with nursing supervision
(a) Definitions
For the purposes of these regulations:
(1) ``Administering'' means an act in which a single dose of a prescribed drug
or biological is given to a patient by an authorized person in accordance with Federal
and State laws and regulations governing such act. The complete act of administration
includes removing an individual dose from a previously dispensed, properly labeled
container (including a unit dose container), verifying it with the physician's order,
giving the individual dose to the proper patient, and promptly recording the time
and dose given.
(2) ``Community Pharmacy'' means a pharmacy licensed pursuant to Section
20-168 of the Connecticut General Statutes. An exception may be made for those
cases where a specific patient has a third party prescription drug plan which requires
the patient to obtain medications from a specific pharmacy located outside the State
of Connecticut, provided such pharmacy complies with the requirements of the
State of Connecticut regulations and the policy of the facility regarding labeling
and packaging.
(3) ``Compounding'' means the act of selecting, mixing, combining, measuring,
counting or otherwise preparing a drug or medicine.
(4) ``Dispensing'' means those acts of processing a drug for delivery or for
administration to a patient pursuant to the order of a practitioner consisting of: The
checking of the directions on the label with the directions on the prescription or
order to determine accuracy, the selection of the drug from stock to fill the order,
the counting, measuring, compounding, or preparation of the drug, the placing of
the drug in the proper container, the affixing of the label to the container, and the
addition to a written prescription of any required notations. For purposes of this
part, it does not include the acts of delivery of a drug to a patient or of administration
of the drug to the patient.
(5) ``Distributing'' means the movement of a legend drug from a community
pharmacy or institutional pharmacy to a nursing service area, while in the originally
labeled manufacturer's container or in a prepackaged container labeled according
to Federal and State statutes and regulations.
(6) ``Dose'' means the amount of drug to be administered at one time.
(7) ``Facility'' means a chronic and convalescent nursing home or rest home
with nursing supervision.
(8) ``Institutional Pharmacy'' means that area within a chronic and convalescent
nursing home commonly known as the pharmacy, which is under the direct charge
of a full-time pharmacist and wherein drugs are stored and regularly compounded
or dispensed and the records of such compounding or dispensing maintained, by
such pharmacist.
(9) ``Legend Drugs'' means any article, substance, preparation or device which
bears the legend: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription.
(10) ``Pharmaceutical Services'' means the functions and activities encompassing
the procurement, dispensing, distribution, storage and control of all pharmaceuticals
used within the facility, and the monitoring of patient drug therapy.
Sec. 19-13-D page 93 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8v
(11) ``Pharmacist'' means a person duly licensed by the Connecticut Commission
of Pharmacy to engage in the practice of pharmacy pursuant to Section 20-170 of
the Connecticut General Statutes.
(12) `` `PRN' Drug'' means a drug which a physician has ordered to be adminis-
tered only when needed under certain circumstances.
(13) ``Practitioner'' means a physician, dentist or other person authorized to
prescribe drugs in the course of professional service in the State of Connecticut.
(14) ``Single Unit'' means one, discrete pharmaceutical dosage form (e.g., one
tablet or one capsule) of a drug. A single unit becomes a unit dose, if the physician
orders that particular amount of a drug.
(15) ``Unit Dose'' means the ordered amount of a drug in a prepackaged dosage
form ready for administration to a particular person by the prescribed route at the
prescribed time.
(b) Pharmaceutical services.
(1) Each facility shall assure the availability of pharmaceutical services to meet
the needs of the patients. All such pharmaceutical services shall be provided in
accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Drug distribution and dispensing functions shall be conducted through:
(A) a community pharmacy; or
(B) an institutional pharmacy.
(2) The pharmaceutical services obtained by each facility shall be provided under
the supervision of a pharmacist as follows:
(A) If the facility operates an institutional pharmacy, the facility shall employ a
pharmacist who shall supervise the provision of pharmaceutical services at least
thirty-five (35) hours per week.
(B) When pharmaceutical services are obtained through a community pharmacy,
the facility shall have a written agreement with a pharmacist to serve as a consultant
on pharmaceutical services, as follows:
(i) The consultant pharmacist shall visit the facility at least monthly, to review
the pharmaceutical services provided, make recommendations for improvements
thereto and monitor the service to assure the ongoing provision of accurate, efficient
and appropriate services.
(ii) Signed dated reports of the pharmacist's monthly reviews, findings and recom-
mendations shall be forwarded to the facility's Administrator, Medical Director and
Director of Nursing and kept on file in the facility for a minimum of three (3) years.
(C) Whether pharmaceutical services are obtained through a community phar-
macy or an institutional pharmacy, the facility shall ensure that a pharmacist is
responsible for the following functions:
(i) compounding, packaging, labeling, dispensing and distributing all drugs to
be administered to patients;
(ii) monitoring patient drug therapy for potential drug interactions and incompata-
bilities at least monthly with documentation of same; and
(iii) inspecting all areas within the facility where drugs (including emergency
supplies) are stored at least monthly to assure that all drugs are properly labeled,
stored and controlled.
(3) Proper space and equipment shall be provided within the facility for the
storage, safeguarding, preparation, dispensing and administration of drugs.
(A) Any storage or medication administration area shall serve clean functions
only and shall be well illuminated and ventilated. When any mobile medication cart
Sec. 19-13-D page 94 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8v
is not being used in the administration of medicines to patients, it shall be stored
in a locked room that meets this requirement.
(B) All medication cabinets (stationary or mobile) shall be closed and locked
when not in current use unless they are stationary cabinets located in a locked room
that serves exclusively for storage of drugs and supplies and equipment used in the
administration of drugs.
(C) Controlled substances shall be stored and handled in accordance with provi-
sions set forth in Chapter 420b of the Connecticut General Statutes and regula-
tions thereunder.
(D) When there is an institutional pharmacy:
(i) The premises shall be kept clean, lighted and ventilated, and the equipment
and facilities necessary for compounding, manufacturing and dispensing drugs shall
be maintained in good operational condition.
(ii) Adequate space shall be provided to allow specialized pharmacy functions
such as sterile IV admixture to be performed in discrete areas.
(4) Each facility shall develop, implement and enforce written policies and proce-
dures for control and accountability, distribution, and assurance of quality of all
drugs and biologicals, which shall include the following specifics:
(A) Records shall be maintained for all transactions involved in the provision of
pharmaceutical services as required by law and as necessary to maintain control of,
and accountability for, all drugs and pharmaceutical supplies.
(B) Drugs shall be distributed in the facility in accordance with the following
requirements:
(i) All medications shall be dispensed to patients on an individual basis except
for predetermined floor stock medication.
(ii) Floor stock shall be limited to emergency drugs, contingency supplies of
legend drugs for initiating therapy when the pharmacy is closed, and routinely used
non-legend drugs. Floor stock may include controlled substances in facilities that
operate an institutional pharmacy.
(iii) Emergency drugs shall be readily available in a designated location.
(C) Drugs and biologicals shall be stored under proper conditions of security,
segregation and environmental control at all storage locations.
(i) Drugs shall be accessible only to legally authorized persons and shall be kept
in locked storage at any time such a legally authorized person is not in immedi-
ate attendance.
(ii) All drugs requiring refrigeration shall be stored separately in a refrigerator
that is locked or in a locked room and that is used exclusively for medications and
medication adjuncts.
(iii) The inside temperature of a refrigerator in which drugs are stored shall be
maintained within a thirty-six degree (36°) to forty-six degree (46°) fahrenheit range.
(D) All drugs shall be kept in containers that have been labeled by a pharmacist
or in their original containers labeled by their manufacturer and shall not be trans-
ferred from the containers in which they were obtained except for preparation of a
dose for administration. Drugs to be dispensed to patients on leaves of absence or
at the time of discharge from the facility shall be packaged in accordance with the
provisions of the Federal Poison Prevention Act and any other applicable Federal
or State Law.
(E) Drugs and biologicals shall be properly labeled as follows:
(i) Floor stock containers shall be labeled at least with the following information:
name and strength of drug; manufacturer's lot number or internal control number;
and, expiration date.
Sec. 19-13-D page 95 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D8v
(ii) The label for containers of medication dispensed from an institutional phar-
macy for inpatient use shall include at least the following information: name of
the patient; name of prescribing practitioner; name, strength and quantity of drug
dispensed; expiration date.
(iii) The label for containers of medication obtained from a community pharmacy
for inpatient use shall include at least the following information: name, address and
telephone number of the dispensing pharmacy; name of the patient; name of the
prescribing practitioner; name, strength and quantity of drug dispensed, date of
dispensing the medication; expiration date. Specific directions for use must be
included in the labeling of prescriptions containing controlled substances.
(iv) The label for containers of medication dispensed to patients for inpatient
self care use, or during leaves of absence or at discharge from the facility shall
include at least the following information: name, address and telephone number of
the dispensing pharmacy; name of the patient; name of the prescribing practitioner;
specific directions for use; name, strength and quantity of the drug dispensed; date
of dispensing.
(v) In cases where a multiple dose package is too small to accommodate a
standard prescription label, the standard label may be placed on an outer container
into which the multiple dose package is placed. A reference label containing the
name of the patient, prescription serial number and the name and strength of the
drug shall be attached to the actual multiple dose package. Injectables intended for
single dose that are ordered in a multiple quantity may be banded together for
dispensing and one (1) label placed on the outside of the banded package.
(vi) In lieu of explicitly stated expiration dating on the prescription container
label, a system established by facility policy may be used for controlling the expira-
tion dating of time-dated drugs.
(F) Drugs on the premises of the facility which are outdated, visibly deteriorated,
unlabeled, inadequately labeled, discontinued, or obsolete shall be disposed of in
accordance with the following requirements:
(i) Controlled substances shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 21a-
262-3 of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(ii) Non-controlled substances shall be destroyed on the premises by a licensed
nurse or pharmacist in the presence of another staff person, in a safe manner so as
to render the drugs non-recoverable. The facility shall maintain a record of any
such destructions which shall include as a minimum the following information:
date, strength, form and quantity of drugs destroyed; and the signatures of the
persons destroying the drugs and witnessing the destruction.
(iii) Records for the destruction of drugs shall be kept on file for three (3) years.
(G) Current pharmaceutical reference material shall be kept on the premises in
order to provide the professional staff with complete information concerning drugs.
(H) The following additional requirements shall apply to any unit dose drug
distribution system:
(i) Each single unit or unit dose of a drug shall be packaged in a manner that
protects the drug from contamination or deterioration and prevents release of the
drug until the time the package is opened deliberately.
(ii) A clear, legible label shall be printed on or affixed securely to each package
of a single unit or unit dose of a drug. Each drug label shall include the name;
strength; for each unit dose package, the dosage amount of the drug; the lot or
control number; and the expiration date for any time-dated drugs.
Sec. 19-13-D page 96 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D8v
(iii) Packages of single unit or unit doses of drugs shall be placed, transported
and kept in individual compartments.
(iv) Each individual drug compartment shall be labeled with the full name of
the patient, and the patient's room number or bed number.
(I) The facility shall implement a drug recall procedure which can be readily
implemented.
(5) Each facility shall develop and follow current written policies and procedures
for the safe prescribing and administration of drugs.
(A) Medication orders shall be explicit as to drug, dose, route, frequency, and
if P.R.N., reason for use.
(i) Medications not specifically limited as to time or number of doses shall be
stopped in accordance with the following time frame: controlled substances shall
be stopped within three (3) days; antibiotics and other antiinfectives (topical and
systemic), anti-coagulants, antiemetics, cortico steroids (topical and systemic), cough
and cold preparations, and psychotherapeutic agents shall be stopped within ten
(10) days.
(ii) Orders for all other drugs shall remain in effect until the time of the next
scheduled visit of the physician.
(iii) A staff member shall notify the practitioner of the impending stop order
prior to the time the drug would be automatically stopped in accordance with the
preceding policy.
(B) Patients shall be permitted to self-administer medications on a specific written
order from the physician. Self-administered medication shall be monitored and
controlled in accordance with procedures established in the facility.
(C) Medication errors and apparent adverse drug reactions shall be recorded in
the patient's medical record, reported to the attending physician, director of nursing,
and consultant pharmacist, as appropriate, and described in a full incident report in
accordance with Section 19-13-D8t (g) of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies.
(6) A pharmacy and therapeutics committee shall oversee the pharmaceutical
services provided to each facility, make recommendations for improvement thereto,
and monitor the service to ensure its accuracy and adequacy.
(A) The committee shall be composed of at least one pharmacist, the facility's
director of nursing, the facility's administrator, and a physician.
(B) The committee shall meet, at least quarterly, and document its activities,
findings and recommendations.
(C) Specific functions of the committee shall, as a minimum, include the fol-
lowing:
(i) Developing procedures for the distribution and control of drugs and biologicals
in the facility in accordance with these regulations;
(ii) Reviewing adverse drug reactions that occur in the facility and reporting
clinically significant incidents to the Federal Food and Drug Administration; and
(iii) Reviewing medication errors that occur in the facility and recommending
appropriate action to minimize the recurrence of such incidents.
(Effective March 30, 1994)
Sec. 19-13-D9. Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with
nursing supervision with authorization to care for persons with manage-
able psychiatric conditions as determined by a board qualified or certi-
fied psychiatrist
Chronic and convalescent nursing homes licensed under section 19-13-D8 and
rest homes with nursing supervision licensed under section 19-13-D7 may be author-
Sec. 19-13-D page 97 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D13
ized to care for persons with manageable psychiatric conditions as determined by
a board qualified or certified psychiatrist, provided they shall comply with the
requirements of section 19-13-D13.
(Effective December 8, 1975)
Secs. 19-13-D10Ð19-13-D11.
Repealed, September 25, 1990.
Sec. 19-13-D12. Multi-care institutions
Each unit of a multi-care institution conforming to the definition of any institution
listed in section 19-13-D1 shall be required to meet the regulations governing the
maintenance and operation of such institution as specified in this regulation.
Sec. 19-13-D13. Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes
with nursing supervision with authorization to care for persons with man-
ageable psychiatric conditions as determined by a board qualified or
certified psychiatrist
Chronic and convalescent nursing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision
licensed under section 19-33 of the general statutes complying with this section may
be authorized to accept persons suffering from manageable psychiatric conditions as
determined by a board qualified or certified psychiatrist when such persons have
been evaluated by a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery in Connecti-
cut who has completed graduate residency training approved by the American Board
of Psychiatry and Neurology and when this physician has recommended in writing
that the person may be appropriately cared for in the nursing home:
(a) In all chronic and convalescent nursing homes of any size and rest homes
with nursing supervision of sixty one beds or more there shall be in attendance at
all times a registered nurse, or a nurse with special training or experience in the
care of mental patients. In rest homes with nursing supervision of sixty beds or less
the registered nurse or a nurse with special training or experience in the care of
mental patients may be a consultant. Consultation shall be at least eight hours
per week.
(b) A person suffering from a manageable psychiatric condition as determined
by a qualified psychiatrist may be admitted to such a nursing home or rest home
with nursing supervision only on a written certificate. Such certificate shall give
the name and location of the nursing home or rest home with nursing supervision
to which admission is sought, the name and address of the person in charge, the
name, age, sex and residence of the patient, the name and address of a responsible
relative or guardian, the diagnosis of the mental condition according to standard
classified nomenclature of mental disease, the prognosis of the case and previous
admissions to psychiatric hospitals and shall express the opinion that the patient
may be cared for in such nursing home without injury to the patient or persons or
property. These certificates shall be kept in a manner approved by the commissioner
of health.
(c) The following rules apply to the care of patients:
(1) Patients shall be treated kindly at all times.
(2) No patient shall be restrained, either by physical or chemical means, except
on written order of a physician. Should such physical or chemical restraint be
required, the physician shall record in the patient's clinical record the order for such
restraint and the reason that such restraint is required as well as the suitability of
the patient for continued stay in a chronic and convalescent nursing home or a rest
Sec. 19-13-D page 98 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D13
home with nursing supervision. The physician shall be required to renew the order
for such restraint and to indicate the reason for such restraint at least every ten days.
The nursing staff shall be required to record all physicial restraints used by type,
frequency of use and each time they are checked to ensure the patient's health and
safety are not being jeopardized. Licensed nurses may use physical restraints to
protect the patient, or others in the institution, if such nurse or nurses deem that
this action is necessary. This action may be done without a physician's order
providing that the physician is notified as soon as the patient is safely under control
and the physician shall visit the institution to take appropriate action in regard to
the nurse's decision within eight hours of the notification.
(3) If a patient's condition changes so that he may do injury to himself, other
persons or property, arrangement shall be made for his immediate transfer to a more
suitable institution.
(4) No patient may be held contrary to the commitment laws of Connecticut.
(d) Classification of civil penalty violation for chronic and convalescent nurs-
ing homes and rest homes with nursing supervision with authorization to care
for persons with manageable psychiatric condition as determined by a board
qualified or certified psychiatrist. Any chronic and convalescent nursing home
or rest home with nursing supervision with authorization to care for persons with
manageable psychiatric conditions as determined by a board qualified or certified
psychiatrist as defined in Section 19a-521 Connecticut General Statutes found by
the Commissioner of Health Services to be in violation of one of the following
provisions of the Regulations of the Connecticut State Agencies known as the Public
Health Code shall be subject to the class of violation indicated below and penalties
indicated in Section 19a-527 Connecticut General Statutes:
(1) A violation of the following provisions shall result in a Class B violation:
(A) 19-13-D13 (b);
(B) 19-13-D13 (c) (2);
(Effective March 1, 1988)
Sec. 19-13-D14. Minimum requirements for licensing maternity hospitals
For the purpose of this section, ``maternity hospital'' or ``lying-in place'' means
a place into which women are received for professional care because of pregnancy.
Each maternity hospital affected by section 19-43 of the general statutes shall comply
with the following requirements before a license is issued:
(a) Medical service. There shall be a resident physician or consulting physician
for each maternity hospital who shall assume responsibility for the general adequacy
of medical nursing care rendered in the institution and who shall be available for
emergency in case of need, provided a practitioner of a healing art entitled by law
to practice obstetrics may conduct a maternity hospital with a resident or consulting
practitioner of a healing art licensed to practice surgery.
(b) Nursing service. Each maternity hospital shall have a registered nurse in
attendance at all times for the mothers and infants and such nurse shall not attend
patients on any other service.
(c) Cleanliness and management. The building, equipment and surroundings
shall be kept clean at all times and the management and operation of the hospital
shall be such as reasonably to ensure the health, comfort and safety of the patients.
(d) Building, space and equipment requirements. The building, space and
equipment requirements for a maternity hospital shall be provided for as follows:
Sec. 19-13-D page 99 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D14
(1) Fire protection. The buildings, equipment and precautions taken to provide
for the safety of patients and employees in case of fire shall be approved by the
state commissioner of health.
(2) A separate unit. To insure complete segregation of maternity patients and
new-born infants from other types of patients, a maternity hospital operated as a
part of a general hospital shall be in a separate unit of the institution and either
have its own separate sterilization equipment and supplies or be furnished with
sterile supplies from a central sterilizing room.
(3) Nursery. Each maternity hospital shall maintain a separate room for a nursery
with a bassinet for each baby and one incubator for a premature infant, for every
ten or fewer bassinets. This is not to be construed to preclude rooming-in accommoda-
tions when the hospital has adequate facilities, including hot and cold running water,
for the care of the mothers and infants.
(4) Delivery room. Each maternity hospital shall have a separate delivery room
which shall not be used for any patient with an infection.
(5) Space between beds. There shall be a space of at least three feet between beds.
(6) Isolation facilities. A separate room shall be available for the isolation of
patients who develop evidence of infection. Any indication of infection shall be
reported immediately to the physician who has assumed responsibility for adequacy
of care in the institution. Any obstetrical patient with a mouth temperature of
100.4°F. or more (excluding the first twenty-four hours after delivery) for a period
longer than twenty-four hours, as well as any other infection which may be contagious
irrespective of temperature readings, shall be isolated from other maternity patients.
Any infant showing evidence of infection of any kind or any infant exposed to an
infected mother shall be removed from the nursery. Isolation technique shall be
observed for all such cases.
(7) Temperature. The heating equipment shall be such as will maintain a tempera-
ture of not less than 70°F. No oil or gas heater shall be used in a room unless it is
directly connected with a flue which opens to the outside air.
(8) Laboratory. There shall be laboratory equipment and reagents necessary to
test urine for albumin, sugar and acetone bodies.
(9) Other equipment. Each maternity hospital shall have adequate equipment for
resuscitation of infants.
(e) Records. A complete record of each case shall be kept which shall include
items of information as may be required by the state department of health and shall
include all items necessary to fill out a death certificate for the mother and all items
necessary to fill out a birth certificate or a death certificate for the baby, together
with steps taken in handling the case.
(f) Required procedure. The following procedures shall be carried out for each
case admitted to a maternity hospital:
(1) Each patient shall be attended by a practitioner of the healing arts licensed
to practice obstetrics or by a midwife.
(2) A specimen of blood shall be taken from each patient for the Wasserman or
Kahn or similar test and submitted to a laboratory approved by the state department
of health, unless the attending physician writes and signs a note in the record that
such test is not necessary.
(3) Before removal from the delivery room, each newborn infant shall be marked
for identification with a mark which shall not be removed while the child is in
the hospital.
Sec. 19-13-D page 100 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D14
(4) All drugs, disinfecting solution and other preparations kept in the institution
shall be distinctly and correctly labeled and kept readily available in a place approved
by the state department of health.
(5) Section 19-92 of the general statutes reads as follows: ``Any inflammation,
swelling or unusual redness in the eyes of any infant, either apart from or with any
unnatural discharge from the eyes of such infant, occurring at any time within two
weeks after the birth of such infant, shall, for the purposes of this section, be
designated as `inflammation of the eyes of the newborn.' The professional attendant
or other person caring for a newborn infant shall report any such inflammation of
the eyes of the newborn to the local director of health within six hours after such
condition is observed. The person in attendance at the birth of any infant shall instill
into the eyes of such infant, immediately after birth, one or two drops of a prophylactic
solution approved by the state department of health. The state department of health
shall furnish in a convenient form for such use a prophylactic solution for gratuitous
distribution to persons licensed to practice the healing arts or midwifery. Any person
who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than ten dollars
nor more than fifty dollars.''
(g) Duration of license. Each license shall terminate on the thirty-first day of
December of each year. A license may be revoked at any time for just cause.
Sec. 19-13-D14a.
Repealed, December 23, 1997.
Secs. 19-13-D15Ð19-13-D16.
Repealed, October 28, 1985.
Sec. 19-13-16a.
Repealed, February 16, 1978.
Secs. 19-13-D17Ð19-13-D18.
Repealed, October 28, 1985.
Sec. 19-13-D18a.
Repealed, February 16, 1978.
Sec. 19-13-D19.
Repealed, May 19, 1970.
Secs. 19-13-D19aÐ19-13-D19b.
Repealed, October 28, 1985.
Secs. 19-13-D20Ð19-13-D39.
Repealed, June 4, 1996.
Sec. 19-13-D40. Donation of eyes for scientific, educational or therapeutic use
(a) Definitions. In this regulation to effect the purposes of section 19-139e of
the 1965 supplement to the general statutes, insofar as they pertain to eyes, to
following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(1) Eye bank means an identified special function of a hospital or medical institu-
tion having a record system covering the status of the donor's intent and disposition
of the donated tissue, providing storage facilities, carrying cases and solution for
in and out transportation and having materials necessary for maintaining bacteriologi-
cal and pathological control of the tissue;
Sec. 19-13-D page 101 (6-07)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D40
(2) donor means the person who by written instrument has validly donated his
eyes for use after his death;
(3) donee means any Connecticut hospital or medical institution establishing an
eye bank approved by the state department of health to receive eyes for assignment
for transplantation or for any other scientific, educational or therapeutic use;
(4) donee's agent means any physician, or the agent of any Connecticut hospital
or medical institution, cooperating with the donee in the removal, preparation or
storage of the donor's eyes, and
(5) recipient means any person eligible to receive a transplantation of eye tissue,
or any hospital or medical institution receiving eye tissue for other scientific, educa-
tional or therapeutic use.
(b) Approval of donee. Any donee shall make annual application in writing over
the signature of a responsible executive or staff member to the state commissioner
of health for approval as required in section 19-139c of the 1965 supplement to the
general statutes. After inspection, the commissioner of health shall notify the hospital
or medical institution whether or not the application is approved, which notification
shall be kept as part of the permanent records of the eye bank.
(c) Notification on death of donor. Upon the death of the donor, his next of
kin or other person legally responsible shall forthwith notify the donee, which shall
agree to keep such records as the state department of health may require to accomplish
the purposes of this section at no expense to the state.
(d) Priority schedule for distribution. Each donee shall maintain a priority
schedule to ensure that the distribution of available or suitable tissue be made in
the following order:
(1) For those purposes that may be specified by the donor in the written instrument,
when feasible;
(2) for use of the eye for a living recipient in Connecticut;
(3) for use of the eye outside of Connecticut for a living recipient who is a
Connecticut resident;
(4) for use of the eye outside of Connecticut for a living recipient who is a
nonresident of Connecticut;
(5) for other medical or educational purposes.
(e) Procedure and techniques to be approved. All procedures, equipment and
techniques used by a donee or donee's agent in the removal, preparation, storage
and transportation of the donor's eyes shall be based upon principles of asepsis
and shall meet the approval of the state department of health.
(f) Fee prohibited. No fee of any kind may be charged the donor or the recipient
except where authorized by statute nor may requests for donations in lieu of a fee
be solicited.
(g) Removal of eyes prohibited, when. No donor's eyes shall be removed if it
is known that a valid gift of the whole of the donor's body has been made unless
the donor has expressly indicated to the contrary under the provisions of the written
instrument, nor shall any eye be used for any living recipient pursuant to this section
when the medical history of the donor or subsequent tests of the enucleated eyes
reveal any disease or condition specified by the state department of health as
rendering such tissue unfit for such use.
(h) Instrument for gift. The written instrument specified in section 19-139e of
the 1965 supplement to the general statutes and such additional forms with such
instructions as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of said section shall
be prepared or approved by the state department of health.
(i) Advisory committee. An advisory committee, consisting of at least four
members, of whom at least one shall be an ophthalmologist, one a pathologist and
Sec. 19-13-D page 102 (6-07)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D40
one a hospital administrator, shall be appointed by the commissioner of health to
advise him in the carrying out of the purposes of said section.
(Effective September 1, 1964)
Secs. 19-13-D41Ð19-13-D42.
Repealed, September 1, 2006.
Sec. 19-13-D43.
Repealed, July 30, 1990.
Sec. 19-13-D43a. Licensure of infirmaries operated by educational insti-
tutions
(a) Definitions.
(1) ``Accident - Incident'' means an occurrence, injury or unusual event which
may result in serious injury or death to a patient, or which interrupts services
provided by the infirmary;
(2) ``Academic year'' means the school year as officially designated by the
educational institution;
(3) ``Applicant'' means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or associa-
tion applying for or requesting a license or renewal of a license;
(4) ``Alterations'' means minor remodeling or revision which does not substan-
tially change the physical plant of the infirmary.
(5) ``Commissioner'' means the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department
of Public Health or his designated representative;
(6) ``Construction'' means the act or process of building;
(7) ``Department'' means Connecticut Department of Public Health or any duly
authorized representative thereof;
(8) ``Educational institution'' means a place of learning, that is, a school, college,
or university;
(9) ``Employee'' means a person who is employed by an educational institution
in return for financial or other compensation;
(10) ``Expansion'' means an increase in the physical size or dimensions of
the infirmary;
(11) ``Facility'' means the infirmary, as defined in this subsection;
(12) ``Faculty'' means the teachers and instructors employed by an educational
institution;
(13) ``Goals'' means attainable ends towards which clinical care is directed
and focused;
(14) ``Governing authority'' means the individuals with the ultimate authority
and responsibility for the overall operation of the educational institution and the
services which it provides;
(15) ``Infirmary'' means a health care facility operated by an educational institu-
tion, which provides evaluation and treatment services for routine health problems
and provides overnight accommodations of limited duration for students, faculty
and employees of such institution who are receiving short term care and treatment
for noncritical illnesses, are recovering from surgery, or require observation, and
who do not require the skills and equipment of an acute care hospital;
(16) ``Institutional Outbreak'' means the occurrence in an institution of cases of
illness over a specific time period clearly in excess of normal expectancy. The
number of cases indicating an institutional outbreak may vary according to the
Sec. 19-13-D page 103 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D43a
etiology, size and type of population exposed, experience with the disease, and time
and place of occurrence. An outbreak of disease is an epidemic;
(17) ``License'' means the form of permission issued by the Department of Public
Health that authorizes an educational institution to operate an infirmary;
(18) ``Licensee'' means the educational institution licensed to operate an
infirmary;
(19) ``Licensed Capacity'' means the maximum number of patients allowed under
the school's license to be admitted to the infirmary for overnight care at any one time;
(20) ``Licensed Nursing Personnel'' means registered nurses and practical nurses
licensed in Connecticut in accordance with Chapter 378, of the Connecticut Gen-
eral Statutes;
(21) ``Local Director of Health'' means and includes town, city, borough, district,
and local director of health, local superintendent and commissioner of health, and
any officer or person having the usual powers and duties of a local director of health;
(22) ``Medication'' means any medicinal preparation including controlled sub-
stances, as defined in section 21a-240 of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(23) ``Nursing Care Plan'' means a written plan documenting a patient's nursing
needs based on the use of the nursing process and includes a written plan to meet
these needs;
(24) ``On Call'' means the continuous availability either in person or by telephone
or by telecommunication to personnel who are on duty in the infirmary;
(25) ``On Duty'' means physically present in the infirmary, awake and alert and
able to respond to patient care needs;
(26) ``Patient Care Plan'' means an overall, interdisciplinary written plan docu-
menting an evaluation of the patients needs, short and long term goals, care and
treatment;
(27) ``Patient Rights'' means those rights to which all patients are entitled by
state and federal law;
(28) ``Physician'' means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed to practice
medicine in Connecticut in accordance with Chapters 370 or 371, of the Connecticut
General Statutes;
(29) ``Practical Nurse'' means a person with a license to practice as a practical
nurse in Connecticut in accordance with Chapter 378, of the Connecticut General
Statutes.
(30) ``Quality Care'' means that patients receive clinically competent care which
meets professional standards, are supported and directed in a planned pattern toward
mutually defined outcomes, obtain coordinated service through each level of care,
and are taught self-management and preventive health measures with respect to age
and level of understanding;
(31) ``Registered Nurse'' means a person with a license to practice as a profes-
sional nurse in Connecticut in accordance with Chapter 378, of the Connecticut
General Statutes;
(32) ``Renovation'' means a major remodeling or revision which substantially
changes the physical plant of the infirmary;
(33) ``Reportable Disease'' means a communicable disease, disease outbreak or
other condition of public health significance required to be reported to the department
and the local director of health;
(34) ``Statement of Ownership and Operations'' means a written statement as
to the legal owners of the premises and legal entity that operates the facility to
be licensed;
Sec. 19-13-D page 104 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D43a
(35) ``Student'' means an individual who is enrolled to attend an educational insti-
tution;
(36) ``Supervision'' means the direct inspection and on site observation of the
functions and activities of others in the performance of their duties and responsi-
bilities;
(37) ``Vector'' means an organism which carries pathogens from one host to
another.
(b) Licensure Procedure.
(1) No educational institution shall operate an infirmary without a license issued
by the department in accordance with section 19a-491 of the Connecticut General
Statutes.
(2) Application for Licensure
(A) Application for the initial granting or renewal of a license to operate an
infirmary in an educational institution shall be made in writing on forms provided
by the department and shall be signed by the Chief Administrative Officer, Medical
Director, and Nursing Director and shall contain the following information:
(i) name and address of education institution;
(ii) location within the education institution of the infirmary;
(iii) type of facility to be licensed;
(iv) number of beds to be licensed;
(v) statement of ownership and operation;
(vi) evidence of compliance with local zoning ordinances and local building codes
upon initial application and when applicable;
(vii) a certificate issued by the local fire marshal indicating that an annual inspec-
tion has been made and that the infirmary is in compliance with the applicable
fire codes;
(viii) a report issued by the department indicating that the annual inspection by
a sanitarian has been made and that the infirmary is in compliance with the applicable
environmental health codes;
(ix) an organizational chart for the infirmary;
(x) names and titles of the clinical staff employed in the infirmary; and
(xi) statistical information as requested by the department.
(B) An application for license renewal shall be made in accordance with subsection
(b) above, not later than October 15th each year.
(3) Issuance and Renewal of Licensure
(A) Upon determination by the department that an infirmary is in compliance
with the statutes and regulations pertaining to its licensure, the department shall
issue a license or renewal of a license to operate an infirmary in accordance with
section 19a-493 of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended.
(B) A license shall be issued in the name of the educational institution and
premises as listed on the application. The license shall not be transferable to any
other person, institution or corporation.
(C) Each license shall list on its face the location and licensed capacity of
the infirmary, the name of the educational institution, and the dates of issuance
and expiration.
(D) The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the infirmary in an area
accessible to the public.
(E) The licensee shall immediately notify the Department of Public Health of any
change in the Chief Administrative Officer, Medical Director, or Nursing Director.
Sec. 19-13-D page 105 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D43a
(F) The licensee shall notify the department in writing of any proposed change
of ownership, location of the infirmary, number of beds, or services provided at
least ninety (90) days prior to the effective date of such proposed change. The
change shall not become effective without prior written approval by the department.
(4) Suspension, Revocation or Denial of License
(A) The department after a hearing may suspend, revoke, refuse to renew a license
or take any other action it deems necessary whenever, in the judgment of the
commissioner, the infirmary:
(i) substantially fails to comply with applicable regulations prescribed by the
department;
(ii) substantially fails to comply with applicable state, local and federal laws,
ordinances, and regulations related to the building, health, fire protection, safety,
sanitation or zoning codes; or,
(iii) knowingly furnishes or makes any false or misleading statements to the
department in order to obtain or retain the license.
(B) Any educational institution may appeal such suspension, revocation or denial
in accordance with Section 19a-501 of the General Statutes of Connecticut and
Sections 19-2a-1 through 19-2a-41 inclusive of the Regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies.
(C) Refusal to grant the department access to the infirmary or to those infirmary
records relating to matters concerning the department in the discharge of its duties
shall be grounds for denial or revocation of the infirmary's license. If, after a hearing,
the commissioner determines that the department does have the right to access these
records, the school's refusal to grant access shall constitute a substantial failure
to comply.
(5) Surrender of license
(A) At least thirty (30) days prior to the voluntary termination of infirmary
services the department shall be notified in writing by the educational institution
of its intention.
(B) The educational institution shall notify those who are eligible to use the
infirmary at least thirty (30) days prior to any one of the actions in subsections (i)
and (ii) below. The individuals to be notified shall be identified as part of the
educational institution's written policies:
(i) the voluntary surrender of an infirmary license by the institution;
(ii) the department's order of revocation; or the department's refusal to renew
the license; or the department's suspension of the license.
(C) The license shall be surrendered to the department within seven (7) days after
voluntary termination of operation, or revocation or suspension of the infirmary
license, unless otherwise ordered by the commissioner.
(c) Administration.
(1) Governing Authority
(A) The governing authority of the educational institution shall be the governing
authority for the licensed infirmary and shall be responsible for compliance with
relevant regulations.
(B) The governing authority shall exercise general direction over the establishment
and implementation of policies for the licensed infirmary and may delegate formula-
tion and enactment of procedures in compliance with all local, state, and federal
laws. Such direction and policies shall include but not be limited to:
(i) appointment of a chief administrative officer whose qualifications, authority
and duties are defined in writing; and notification of the department of any change
in appointment;
Sec. 19-13-D page 106 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D43a
(ii) provision of a safely equipped physical plant and maintenance of the infirmary
and services in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal laws;
(iii) establishment of an organizational chart which clearly defines the lines
of responsibility and authority relating to the management and maintenance of
the infirmary;
(iv) establishment of mechanisms and documentation of annual review of all
infirmary policies and procedures;
(v) documentation of all current agreements with consultants, practitioners, agen-
cies and providers required on a regular basis by the infirmary in the delivery of
services. These agreements shall be considered in force unless terminated by one
of the parties.
(2) Chief Administrative Officer
(A) Each licensed infirmary shall have a chief administrative officer who is
accountable to the governing authority for:
(i) the general operation of the infirmary;
(ii) the appointment of a medical director and notification to the department of
any change in this position;
(iii) the appointment of a nursing director and notification to the department of
any change in this position; and
(iv) filing all materials for licensure or relicensure.
(B) The chief administrative officer may delegate responsibilities for the operation
of the infirmary to others as appropriate.
(d) Staffing. Each infirmary shall have qualified staff to meet the needs of patients.
These shall include:
(1) Medical Director
(A) There shall be a licensed physician or licensed osteopath designated as the
medical director.
(B) The medical director, with the approval of the chief administrative officer, shall
designate another licensed physician to act in his/her place during his/her absence.
(C) The duties of the medical director shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) visiting the infirmary as frequently as clinically indicated; and
(ii) being available by telephone twenty-four (24) hours per day and being available
to respond promptly in an emergency.
(D) The medical director shall assume responsibility for:
(i) the medical care rendered in the infirmary;
(ii) developing criteria by which he/she can determine the admission or denial
of admission of a patient based on the infirmary's ability to provide needed care;
(iii) proper care and inventory of all drugs in accordance with section 21a-254
of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(iv) the medical record including the proper entry of medical and clinical ser-
vices provided;
(v) receiving reports from the nursing director on significant clinical developments
in patients' care; and
(vi) authorizing hospital care, medical referrals, and other clinical services as
needed for patients in the infirmary.
(2) Nursing Director - There shall be a full-time licensed registered nurse desig-
nated as the nursing director for the infirmary and whose responsibilities shall
include, but not be limited to:
(A) the nursing care provided to patients in the infirmary;
(B) determining and arranging staffing when there are patients in the infirmary;
Sec. 19-13-D page 107 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D43a
(C) participating in staff recruitment and selection;
(D) notifying the department of changes in nursing staff with the exception of
those employed directly by a nursing pool;
(E) orienting, supervising and evaluating the infirmary nursing staff;
(F) proper maintenance of clinical records; and
(G) coordinating the services provided to patients in the infirmary.
(3) Nursing Staff
(A) There shall be a licensed nurse on duty whenever there is a patient in
the infirmary.
(B) When the infirmary is open, there shall be a licensed registered nurse or a
licensed physician on call.
(C) When the infirmary is closed, there shall be a plan for alternate care.
(D) Staff Schedule:
(i) There shall be a staff schedule and assignment of duties to assure twenty-four
(24) hour coverage sufficient to meet the needs of patients in the infirmary.
(ii) There shall be a licensed nurse designated in charge for each shift when there
is a patient in the infirmary.
(4) Nurse's Aides
(A) Nurse's Aides may be employed to care for patients in the infirmary under
the direction of a licensed nurse.
(B) A nurse aide's preparation or work experience shall include one of the fol-
lowing:
(i) A certificate of satisfactory completion of an approved nurse's aide training
program in accordance with section 19-13-D8t (1) of the Regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies; or,
(ii) evidence of completion of:
(aa) a vocational nurse's aide program by the State Department of Education; or,
(bb) a minimum of one (1) year of continuous, full-time or full-time equivalent
work experience as a nurse aide providing personal care of patients under the
supervision of a registered nurse in a general hospital, hospice, chronic disease
hospital, chronic and convalescent nursing home, and completion of a nurse's aide
competency evaluation.
(iii) One year of continuous employment as a nurse's aide in the same licensed
infirmary in an educational institution prior to August 1, 1990.
(C) Nurse's aides may provide care only when:
(i) there is a licensed nurse on duty; and,
(ii) there is a written plan for the nursing care to be provided by the nurse's aide,
which does not include skilled nursing care, medication administration, or treatments,
and which is legally permissible and within the competence of the nurse's aide.
(D) Nurse's aides may not assess and/or admit patients to the infirmary or discharge
patients from the infirmary.
(5) A homemaker-home health aide as defined in section 19-13-D80 (n) of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies may provide care on the same basis as
a nurse's aide in accordance with subdivisions (4)(C) and (4)(D) of this subsection.
(e) Physical Plant
(1) The standards established by the following sources for the construction,
renovation, alteration, expansion, conversion, maintenance and licensure of infirmar-
ies, as they are amended from time to time, are incorporated and made a part of
these regulations by reference:
(A) State of Connecticut Basic Building Code;
Sec. 19-13-D page 108 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D43a
(B) State of Connecticut Fire Safety Code;
(C) State of Connecticut Public Health Code;
(D) Local Codes and Ordinances.
(2) Plans and specifications for new construction and alteration, addition or
modification of an existing structure are subject to approval by the department on
the basis of compliance with the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies after
the approval of such plans and specifications by the local building inspector, local
director of health or designee, and local fire marshal prior to the start of construction.
(3) Waiver
(A) The commissioner may waive provisions of subdivisions (4) and (5) of this
subsection related to the environment and physical plant in these regulations, if the
commissioner determines that meeting these provisions is not possible and such
waiver would not endanger the life, safety or health of patients in the infirmary.
The commissioner shall have the power to impose conditions which assure the
health, safety and welfare of patients upon the grant of such waiver, or to revoke
such waiver upon finding that the health, safety or welfare of any patient has
been jeopardized.
(B) Any infirmary requesting a waiver shall apply in writing to the department.
Such application shall include:
(i) the name and address of the infirmary including the name of the Chief Adminis-
trative Officer and the contact telephone number;
(ii) the specific regulations for which the waiver is requested;
(iii) the level of care which the infirmary provides;
(iv) the maximum patient capacity;
(v) The reasons for requesting a waiver, including a statement of the type and
degree of hardship that would result to the infirmary upon enforcement of the regu-
lation;
(vi) the specific relief requested;
(vii) the length of time for which the waiver is requested;
(viii) the impact of a waiver on the care provided;
(ix) alternative methods for meeting regulatory requirements; and
(x) any documentation which supports the application for waiver.
(C) In consideration of any application for a waiver, the commissioner may ask
that additional information be provided.
(D) The department may request a meeting with the applicant in conjunction with
the waiver application.
(E) The applicant may request a meeting with the department in conjunction with
the waiver application.
(F) Should the waiver be denied, the applicant may request a hearing. This hearing
shall be held in conformance with Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes
and department regulations.
(G) A waiver shall be granted for no more than two years at a time and may be
renewed subject to approval by the commissioner.
(4) General Requirements
(A) The infirmary shall be of structurally sound construction and equipped, so
as to sustain its safe and sanitary characteristics to prevent or minimize all health
and fire hazards.
(B) The building, equipment and services shall be maintained in a good state of
repair. A maintenance program shall be established which ensures that the interior,
Sec. 19-13-D page 109 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D43a
exterior and grounds of the building are maintained, kept clean and orderly, and
free from accumulations of refuse, dilapidated structures, and other health hazards.
(C) Sleeping and personal care space:
(i) In existing infirmaries there shall be clearly defined sleeping and personal
care areas which are sufficient in size to comfortably accommodate the approved
capacity of patients.
(ii) In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August
1, 1990, a physical environment, including opportunities for privacy, in clearly
defined sleeping and personal care spaces shall be provided. This area shall be
sufficient in size to comfortably accommodate the approved capacity of patients.
(D) In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August
1, 1990, vertical transportation shall be provided in multilevel facilities by an elevator
if handicapped accessible facilities are not otherwise available.
(E) Water supply, food service and sewage disposal facilities shall be in compli-
ance with other applicable sections of the Public Health Code.
(F) Notification of new construction, expansion, renovation or conversion, indicat-
ing the proposed use and accompanied by a written narrative shall be submitted to
the Department of Public Health, at least sixty (60) days prior to start of construction.
(C) Notification of alteration indicating the proposed use accompanied by a written
narrative shall be submitted to the Department of Public Health at least thirty (30)
days prior to the start of construction.
(5) Basic Requirements
(A) All patients, personnel, visitors, and emergency vehicles shall have access
to infirmary buildings and grounds.
(B) Established walkways shall be provided for each entrance and exit leading
to a driveway or street and must be properly maintained.
(C) The following administration and public areas shall be provided:
(i) storage space for office equipment, supplies and records;
(ii) a private area in which to conduct patient interviews; and
(iii) a waiting area for patients and visitors.
(D) The following nursing service areas shall be provided:
(i) a designated nursing station;
(ii) twenty-four (24) hour telephone service including an outside line;
(iii) emergency telephone numbers shall be posted and shall include at least
the following:
(aa) medical director;
(bb) substitute physicians;
(cc) local director of health;
(dd) hospital to use;
(ee) ambulance service(s);
(ff) school security;
(gg) fire department;
(hh) police department (local and state);
(ii) nurse on call and substitutes;
(jj) administrator on call;
(kk) institution service personnel;
(ll) poison control center (local and state);
(iv) a room with a toilet and sink for use by the clinical personnel. For newly
constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August 1, 1990, this room
shall be adjacent to the nursing station;
Sec. 19-13-D page 110 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D43a
(v) a medication preparation area near the nursing station or within the treat-
ment room;
(vi) a clean linen storage area;
(vii) an equipment storage area;
(viii) in newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August
1, 1990, there shall be a patient treatment room of at least eighty (80) square feet
which contains a work counter, storage facilities and a handwashing sink;
(ix) in newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August
1, 1990, there shall be a nourishment station which shall contain a sink, work
counter, refrigerator, storage cabinets, an appliance for heating food, and be equipped
for serving nourishment.
(E) Infirmary bedrooms shall meet the following requirements:
(i) there shall be no more than four (4) beds per bedroom. Bunk beds shall not
be used;
(ii) in newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August 1,
1990, there shall be a minimum of three (3) feet of space between and around beds
on three sides in multi-bed rooms. In existing infirmaries there shall be a minimum
of three (3) feet of space between beds in multi-bed rooms.
(iii) all patient rooms shall open to a common corridor which leads to an exit;
(iv) each infirmary bedroom shall be on an outside wall. This outside wall must
have either a window or door capable of being opened from inside;
(v) all windows which open to the outside shall be equipped with sixteen (16)
mesh screening;
(vi) no room which opens into the food preparation area or necessitates passing
through the food preparation area to reach any other part of the infirmary shall be
used as a bedroom;
(vii) separate patient rooms shall be provided for males and females;
(viii) the room furnishings for each patient shall include a single bed with a
mattress, a washable mattress pad or cover, a reading light, a bedside cabinet or
table, a bedside tray table, and an available chair. In newly constructed infirmaries
and in infirmaries renovated after August 1, 1990, a moisture-proof mattress shall
be provided.
(ix) there shall be an area available for the storage of patients' clothing. In newly
constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August 1, 1990, there
shall be a closet or wardrobe available to hang patient clothing;
(x) no smoking shall be allowed in the infirmary;
(xi) the use and maintenance of electrical cords, appliances, and adaptors shall
be in full compliance with state codes;
(xii) in existing infirmaries each patient room shall have access to a sink with
hot and cold running water which sink is not used for food or medication preparation.
In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August 1, 1990,
each patient room shall have a sink with hot and cold running water.
(xiii) The bedside of each patient shall have a method for calling the nurse. In
newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August 1, 1990,
the call system shall be of the electronic type.
(F) Toilet Facilities:
(i) One toilet room shall be directly accessible for each six persons without going
through another bedroom; in addition to a toilet, each toilet room shall be equipped
with a sink which has hot and cold running water, (unless such is available in each
Sec. 19-13-D page 111 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D43a
patient room) mirror, toilet tissue, soap, single use disposable towels and a covered
waste receptacle.
(ii) In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August
1, 1990, on each floor there shall be a minimum of one toilet room, which is accessible
to physically handicapped persons and includes a toilet and one handwashing sink
on each floor.
(iii) Each toilet room shall have a method for calling the nurse. In newly con-
structed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August 1, 1990 the call system
shall be of the electronic type.
(G) Bathing facilities
(i) In existing infirmaries an area for bathing shall be available on each infir-
mary floor.
(ii) In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August
1, 1990, there shall be one bathtub and shower provided on each infirmary floor.
(iii) One shower or bathtub shall be provided for each eight patients or fraction
thereof. Each bathtub and shower must be provided with some type of non-slip
walking surface.
(iv) All toilet and bathing facilities shall be well lighted, and ventilated to the
outside atmosphere.
(v) In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August
1, 1990, all toilet and bathing facilities shall be mechanically ventilated to the
outside atmosphere.
(vi) If a bathroom is adjacent to a public area, it must be equipped with a self
closing door.
(vii) When bathing facilities are separate from the toilet facilities, there shall be
a method for calling the nurse. In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries
renovated after August 1, 1990 the call system shall be of the electronic type.
(H) Each patient shall be supplied with linen sufficient to meet his needs. There
shall be sufficient linen available for three (3) times the licensed capacity of the
infirmary.
(L) Environmental Requirements:
(i) All areas used by patients shall have ambient air temperatures within a range
of 68 degrees F. and 72 degrees F.
(ii) The hot water heating equipment must deliver hot water at the tap, the
temperature of which shall be within a range of 110 degrees F. to 120 degrees F.
It shall have the capacity to deliver the required amounts at all times.
(iii) Only central heating or permanently installed electric heating systems shall
be used. Portable space heaters are prohibited.
(iv) All doors to patient bathrooms, toilet rooms and bedrooms shall be equipped
with hardware which will permit access in an emergency.
(v) Walls, ceilings and floors shall be maintained in a state of good repair and
be washable or easily cleanable.
(vi) Hot water or steam pipes located in areas accessible to patients shall have
adequate protective insulation which is maintained, safe and in good repair.
(vii) Each infirmary floor shall be provided with a telephone that is accessible
to staff for emergency purposes.
(viii) Emergency telephone numbers shall be posted in an area adjacent to the
phone and shall be accessible to all individuals in the infirmary.
(ix) Provisions shall be made to assure an individual's privacy in the bathroom,
bathtub and shower areas.
Sec. 19-13-D page 112 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D43a
(x) All spaces occupied by people, equipment within buildings, approaches to
buildings, and parking lots shall have adequate lighting.
(xi) In existing infirmaries there shall be adequate lighting in patient rooms and
toilet rooms shall have at least one light fixture switched at the entrance. In newly
constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August 1, 1990, all rooms
shall have adequate general and night lighting, and all bedrooms and toilet rooms
shall have at least one light fixture switched at each entrance.
(xii) Items such as drinking fountains, telephone booths, vending machines, and
portable equipment shall not reduce the required corridor width. At all times corridors
shall be maintained clear of combustibles and of obstructions to immediate egress.
(xiii) All doors to patient bedrooms and all means of egress shall be of a swing type.
(xiv) There shall be effective measures taken to protect against the entrance into
the residence or breeding on the premises of vermin. During the season when vectors
are prevalent, all openings into outer air shall be screened with a minimum of
sixteen (16) mesh screening and doors shall be provided to prevent the entrance
of vectors.
(xv) Emergency lighting shall be provided for all means of egress, nursing stations,
treatment rooms, medication preparation areas and patient toilet rooms.
(xvi) Storage areas, basements, attics and stairwells must be properly maintained
and in good repair, clean and uncluttered.
(xvii) Operational safety procedures for emergency egress shall be developed for
the safety of patients and personnel and practiced with staff and documented at
least twice per year.
(xviii) There shall be no pesticide storage in the infirmary. Potentially hazardous
substances in the infirmary shall be stored in a locked area.
(xix) The fire extinguishers shall be maintained, and inspected annually. They
shall be hung in a conspicuous location.
(xx) Sinks used by staff in medication and patient treatment areas shall be equipped
with wrist blade handles, soap, and a paper towel dispenser and a waste receptacle.
(xxi) In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August
1, 1990, there shall be a sink in each patient room equipped with wrist blade handles,
soap, and a paper towel dispenser and a waste receptacle.
(xxii) In existing infirmaries there shall be smoke detectors in all patient bedrooms
or in the infirmary corridors. In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries
renovated after August 1, 1990, an automatic smoke detection system shall be
installed in all patient bedrooms and corridors and this system shall be interconnected
with the fire alarm system and installed in accordance with the State Fire Safety Code.
(f) Nutrition and Dietary Services.
(1) Nutrition Services
(A) Each infirmary shall provide evidence that the dietary needs of patients are
being met.
(B) Unless medically contraindicated, the infirmary shall have the potential to
serve at least three (3) meals daily.
(C) The infirmary shall provide special utensils to assist patients in eating
when necessary.
(2) Dietary Facilities
(A) If food preparation is provided on the infirmary premises each infirmary shall
have its own preparation area which includes space and equipment for storage,
preparation, assembling and serving food, cleaning of dishes and disposal of garbage.
Sec. 19-13-D page 113 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D43a
(B) Food preparation areas shall be separate from other areas and large enough
to allow for adequate equipment to prepare and store food properly;
(C) All equipment and appliances shall be installed to permit thorough cleaning
of the equipment, the floor and the walls around them. The floor surface shall be
of non-absorbent easily cleanable material;
(D) If food is prepared in the infirmary and nondisposable equipment and dishes
are used, a dishwashing machine shall be provided;
(E) A sink with both hot and cold running water, soap, paper towels, and a
covered waste receptacle shall be provided in the food preparation area;
(F) On school grounds there shall be a three day supply of food available for
the infirmary;
(G) Functional refrigerators and freezers with thermometers shall be provided for
the storage of food to meet the needs of the patients;
(H) Trash shall be stored in covered receptacles adequate in size and number
outside the building housing the infirmary;
(I) A means of ventilation for the food preparation areas shall be provided;
(J) In newly constructed infirmaries and in infirmaries renovated after August 1,
1990, mechanical ventilation shall be provided in all food preparation areas.
(K) Dietary facilities and procedures shall be in accordance with other applicable
sections of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(g) Service Operations.
(1) Policies and Procedures. There shall be a policy and procedure manual imple-
mented for the infirmary which shall be available to staff at all times, complied
with, and reviewed annually.
(2) Each infirmary shall implement written policies and procedures governing
the admission and discharge of patients and the delivery of services which shall
include but not be limited to:
(A) the admission process including admission criteria by which the medical and
nursing staff shall decide the admission or denial of admission of a patient based
on the infirmary's ability to provide care;
(B) the discharge process including discharge criteria; and
(C) the referral process including follow up.
(3) There shall be a current copy of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies
available in the infirmary.
(4) Personnel Practices
(A) Each infirmary shall develop and implement policies and procedures govern-
ing the orientation and supervision of infirmary staff.
(B) Job descriptions for each infirmary staff position shall include: a description
of the duties to be performed; the supervision which will be given; the minimum
qualifications for the position; and the effective or revision date.
(C) Pre-employment and periodic physical examinations, including tuberculin
testing and a physician's statement that the infirmary employee is free from commu-
nicable disease, shall be required of all infirmary employees.
(D) Personnel files for all employees who provide service in the infirmary shall
include the following:
(i) educational preparation and work experience;
(ii) current licensure, registration or certification where applicable;
(iii) a record of health examination(s).
(5) Records.
Sec. 19-13-D page 114 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D43a
(A) Each infirmary shall maintain a complete medical record for each patient
admitted to the infirmary. The record shall be accessible to the infirmary staff at
all hours. It must include but not be limited to:
(i) identification data;
(ii) an admission history and physical assessment;
(iii) specific physician treatment orders;
(iv) written authorization for medical care and treatment;
(v) for underage patients, documentation of notification of parent or guardian of
infirmary admission;
(vi) a patient care plan based on the patient assessment;
(vii) nurses notes which include current condition, changes in patient condition,
treatments and responses to treatments;
(viii) documentation of all patient care, patient teaching and services provided
or refused by the patient and progress made toward goals and objectives in accordance
with the care plan;
(ix) laboratory test results;
(x) a record of medications administered including the name and strength of the
drug, route and time of administration, dosage and if ordered ``as needed'' the
reason for administration and patient response/result observed;
(xi) a record of immunizations in accordance with section 10-204a-4 of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(xii) a written discharge summary which indicates the patient's progress, the level
of improvement or lack of it, the departure plan, and follow up arrangement, which
is signed by the medical director or attending physician within seven (7) days
after discharge;
(xiii) for emergency purposes a record is to be maintained identifying parents
and or responsible persons including: name(s) and address, home and business; and
telephone numbers, home and business;
(B) Medical records must be kept secure and in a confidential location for seven
(7) years after a student is no longer enrolled in or employee or faculty member
employed at the educational institution.
(6) Patient Rights. Each infirmary shall have a written:
(A) description of available services including any charges or billing mechanisms;
(B) policy which it must implement regarding access to patient records, including
an explanation of the confidential treatment of all patient information in infirmary
records and the requirement for written consent for release of information to persons
not otherwise under law allowed to receive it;
(C) a list of the names of the persons supervising the medical and nursing care
provided in the infirmary and the manner in which those persons may be contacted;
(D) procedure for registering complaints re: the infirmary with:
(i) the school; and
(ii) the commissioner.
(h) Emergency Preparedness.
(1) Each infirmary shall formulate, and implement when necessary, a plan for
the protection of the patients in the event of fire or other disaster and for their
evacuation when necessary to include:
(A) written evacuation plan instructions and diagrams for routes of exit;
(B) fire drills conducted as often as the local fire marshal recommends, at irregular
intervals during the day, evening and night but not less than quarterly;
Sec. 19-13-D page 115 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D43a
(C) assignment of each staff member to specific duties in the event of disaster
or emergency;
(D) written plans for the provision of temporary physical facilities to include
shelter and food services in the event the infirmary becomes uninhabitable due to
disaster or emergency;
(E) annual review by the local fire marshal of the plans written in accordance
with this subparagraph.
(2) Documentation shall be submitted to the department annually that all employ-
ees have been instructed and kept informed of their duties and responsibilities and
that all activities required by this subsection have been completed.
(i) Infection Control. Each infirmary shall develop an infection prevention,
surveillance and control program which shall include antiseptic technique, isolation
policies and procedures and patient education.
(1) There shall be a method to monitor, evaluate and report documented or suspect
cases of reportable diseases, as specified in sections 19a-36-A3 and 19a-36-A4 of
the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, and institutional outbreaks of illness.
(2) Areas shall be provided for isolation of patients as necessary.
(3) There shall be regularly scheduled inservice education programs for staff
regarding infection prevention, surveillance and control scheduled at least yearly.
Documentation of these programs and attendance shall be available to the department
upon request.
(j) Handling, Storage, and Administration of Medications and Pharmaceu-
ticals.
(1) In accordance with Chapter 420b of the Connecticut General Statutes, the
medical director is responsible for the proper care and inventory of all drugs used
in the infirmary.
(2) All medications shall be administered by licensed nurses or other health care
practitioners licensed in this state with statutory authority to administer medications.
(3) Orders for the administration of medications shall be in writing, signed by
the patient's physician or dentist and in compliance with the infirmary's written
policy and procedure.
(A) Medications shall be administered only as ordered by the patient's physician
or dentist and in compliance with the laws of the State of Connecticut
(B) Orders shall include at least the name of the medication, dosage, frequency,
duration and method of administration and, if ordered ``as necessary,'' the reason
for use.
(4) Each infirmary shall have written policies and procedures pertaining to drug
control. All unused, discontinued or obsolete medications shall be removed from
storage areas and, at the discretion of the medical director, either sent home with
the patient or set aside for destruction.
(5) Drugs used in the infirmary shall meet standards established by the United
States Pharmacopoeia and shall be stored so as to ensure their proper purity and
strength.
(6) Records shall be maintained of all controlled substances in a manner and
form prescribed by Chapter 420b of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(7) The area and the equipment necessary for handling, storing and administering
drugs shall be kept clean, adequately lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained
in good order and shall be used exclusively for this purpose.
(k) Accident and Incident Reports. The licensee shall report to the department
any occurrence, injury or unusual event which has caused or resulted in, or may
Sec. 19-13-D page 116 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D43a
cause or result in, serious injury or death to a patient, or which interrupts, or has
the potential to interrupt, services provided in the infirmary.
(1) Classification. Accident/incident reports to the department concerning events
occurring in the infirmary shall employ the following classification of such events:
(A) Class A: One which has caused or resulted in, or has the potential to result
in, serious injury or death to a patient;
(B) Class B: One which has interrupted, or has the potential to interrupt, the
services provided in the infirmary.
(2) Report. The chief administrative officer or designee shall report any Class A
or Class B accident or incident immediately by telephone to the department and
confirm by written report within seventy-two (72) hours of said event.
(3) Each written report shall contain the following information:
(A) Date of report;
(B) name of the infirmary as stated in the license;
(C) licensed bed capacity;
(D) date of event, incident, or occurrence;
(E) the location, nature and a brief description of the event; the individuals
affected; the action taken; and disposition;
(F) if the affected individual was a patient in the infirmary at the time of the
reported event:
(i) date of admission;
(ii) current diagnosis;
(iii) physical and mental status prior to the event;
(iv) physical and mental status after the event.
(G) The name of the physician consulted, if any, time physician was consulted,
and a report summarizing any subsequent physical examination including findings
and orders.
(H) The names of any witnesses to the event, incident or occurrence.
(I) Any other information deemed relevant by the reporting authority.
(J) The signature of the person who prepared the report and the chief administra-
tive officer.
(5) The chief administrative officer or designee shall submit subsequent reports,
if applicable, relevant to any accident, event or occurrence previously reported.
(l) Intravenous Therapy.Intravenous therapy (I.V.) is not required. If the licensee
chooses to allow intravenous therapy to be provided, the following shall apply.
When used in section 19-13-D43a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies:
(1) Definitions.
(A) ``I.V. Fluid'' means sterile solutions of 50 ml or more, intended for intravenous
infusion but excluding blood and blood products.
(B) ``I.V. Admixture'' means an I.V. fluid to which one or more additional drug
products have been added.
(C) ``I.V. Therapy'' means the introduction of an I.V. fluid/I.V. admixture into
the blood stream via a vein for the purpose of correcting water deficit and electrolyte
imbalances, providing nutrition, and delivering antibiotics and other therapeutic
agents approved by the infirmary's medical director.
(D) ``Administer'' means to initiate the venipuncture and deliver an I.V. fluid/
admixture into the blood stream via a vein; and to:
(i) care for the venipuncture site
(ii) monitor the venipuncture site and the therapy
(iii) terminate the procedure
Sec. 19-13-D page 117 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D43a
(iv) record pertinent events and observations.
(E) ``I.V. Therapy Nurse'' means a registered nurse, licensed to practice in
Connecticut who is qualified by education and training to administer an I.V. fluid/
admixture and has demonstrated proficiency in the theoretical and clinical aspects
of I.V. therapy.
(F) ``I.V. Therapy Program'' means the overall plan by which the infirmary will
implement, monitor and safeguard the administration of I.V. therapy to patients.
(2) I.V. therapy may be administered in a licensed infirmary in an educational
institution provided the infirmary obtains written approval from the commissioner,
in accordance with section 19-13-D8u (c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies.
(3) Registered nurses who provide I.V. fluid therapy in the infirmary shall have had
training through instruction and supervised clinical experience in I.V. fluid therapy.
(4) The infirmary shall develop and implement written policies, procedures and
standards of care for the safe administration of I.V. therapy to all patients receiving
such treatment. These documents are subject to review and approval by the depart-
ment as a part of the commissioner's written approval in subdivision (2) of this sub-
section.
(A) a description of the objectives, scope, and limitation of the therapy to be
provided;
(B) identification of the person(s) in the infirmary responsible for the direction,
supervision, and control of I.V. therapy administration. Alternates shall be named
in his/her absence;
(C) requirements for the education, training, supervision, in-service education,
continuing education, and evaluation of all personnel participant in the administration
of I.V. therapy;
(D) specific protocols related to physician orders including but not limited to the
volume and type of solution, name and dosage of admixture, start date, frequency,
hourly flow rate, renewal/termination date, and monitoring parameters as indicated.
Each patient's plan of care shall include the protocol necessary to carry out the I.V.
therapy orders in the infirmary including the frequency of contact with the physician;
(E) protocols for the safe administration, monitoring and termination of I.V.
therapy including the procurement of equipment and supplies and the safe prepara-
tion, labeling, and handling and disposal of I.V. admixtures and equipment, and
infection prevention and control procedures.
(F) I.V. therapy related complications, medication errors, early recognition of the
signs and symptoms of sepsis, acute untoward reactions, and appropriate intervention
in a timely manner;
(G) emergency precautions and procedures;
(H) documentation and charting procedures which shall include the following:
(i) the date and time of initiation of the I.V. therapy;
(ii) name of the person initiating the therapy;
(iii) the location of the I.V. therapy site;
(iv) the type and gauge of the catheter used;
(v) the type and volume of the solution and admixture(s), including dosages;
(vi) the condition of the I.V. site
(vii) the patient teaching plan and the response of the patient;
(viii) termination, date and time;
(ix) outcome of the therapy and, if any, the complications encountered.
Sec. 19-13-D page 118 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D43a
(I) Delivery of I.V. fluid/I.V. admixture(s) via a central line may be done only
by a registered nurse under specific protocols.
(5) There shall be a registered nurse on duty during I.V. therapy to:
(A) care for the site;
(B) monitor the site and the therapy;
(C) record pertinent events and observations;
(D) terminate peripheral vein lines.
(6) There shall be a mechanism in place in the infirmary for ongoing review of
the effectiveness and safety of the program and equipment which includes problem
identification, corrective action and documentation of same. It is subject to prior
review and approval by the department as a part of the commissioner's written
approval in subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(7) Only a qualified I.V. therapy nurse may initiate a venipuncture in a peripheral
vein for the purpose of delivering I.V. fluid/I.V. admixture(s) into the blood stream.
Only a licensed physician may initiate or terminate a central vein access.
(8) There shall be no changes in the approved protocols developed for the I.V.
therapy program without the written approval of the commissioner or his/her
designee.
(9) Upon determination of compliance with these regulations, approval by the
commissioner to participate in an I.V. therapy program shall be renewed at the time
of the infirmary's license renewal. Approval to participate in the program may be
revoked at any time for failure to comply with these regulations.
(Effective July 30, 1990; amended September 13, 2001)
Sec. 19-13-D44. Industrial health facilities
(a) Physical facilities. An industrial health facility shall: (1) Be located in a
relatively quiet area readily accessible to employees and transportation; (2) be
sufficiently spacious, properly ventilated, heated, lighted and kept clean at all times;
(3) contain a sink with hot and cold running water with a skin cleansing agent and
disposable towels. Toilet facilities shall be provided in the industrial health facility
or nearby. If located nearby, the toilet facilities shall be on the same level or floor.
(b) Personnel. (1) Physicians. A medical director shall be appointed who shall
be a physician licensed in Connecticut. The medical director shall be responsible
for the active professional direction and supervision of all personnel providing health
services. The medical director shall provide adequate written medical directives,
i.e., standing orders, for all personnel providing health services, which directives
he shall review and sign at least annually. The medical directives shall be kept in
the industrial health facility. The medical director and, when necessary, another
physician or physicians shall visit the industrial health facility regularly in accordance
with an established schedule as frequently and for as long a period of time as
necessary. The medical director or another physician or physicians shall be on call
when employees eligible to receive health services in the industrial health facility
are working. (2) Registered nurses. Sufficient registered nurses shall be employed
to meet the requirements of the health services provided. (3) Other personnel. Other
personnel sufficient to meet the requirements of the health services provided shall
be employed. At least one individual who has completed successfully the advanced
American Red Cross first-aid course or the equivalent shall be on duty to provide
first-aid services whenever a registered nurse or a physician is not on duty in the
industrial health facility and employees eligible to receive services are working in
the commercial or industrial establishment.
Sec. 19-13-D page 119 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D44
(c) Equipment. Equipment adequate for the number of employees to be served
and the types of health services offered shall be provided.
(d) Supplies. Supplies adequate for the number of employees to be served and
the types of health services offered shall be provided.
(e) Medical records. (1) Completeness. A medical record shall be started for
each individual who receives health services. The medical record shall contain all
medical health related reports and letters received from laboratories, physicians and
others. An entry shall be made for every visit of such person to the industrial health
facility. All treatments administered shall be recorded, dated and signed by the
individual who administered the treatment. A daily statistical record shall be kept
of the services provided in the industrial health facility and kept for at least eigh-
teen months.
(2) Confidentiality. Medical records shall be confidential except for cases involv-
ing claims under the Workmen's Compensation Act and except that the medical
director shall disclose or authorize the disclosure of information as required by law
and may disclose or authorize the disclosure of information to responsible individuals
when he believes such disclosure is necessary for the best interest of the employee,
or when written consent is received from the employee.
(3) Storage and security. All current medical records shall be kept in locked files
in the industrial health facility under control of the medical director. Noncurrent
medical records and medical records regarding former employees shall be kept in
locked files under control of the medical director for at least three years.
(f) X-ray services. If diagnostic x-ray services are provided in the industrial
health facility, the requirements of the public health code shall be complied with.
The x-ray equipment shall be operated by adequately trained individuals. No x-ray
examination shall be performed unless specifically ordered by a physician.
(g) Drugs. (1) Definitions. (A) ``Administer'' to give, distribute, leave with, or
deliver drugs to an employee in amounts to satisfy the needs of the employee for
a time period not greater than the number of hours in the employees' work shift.
(B) ``Controlled drug'' means a controlled drug as defined in section 19-443 (6)
of the 1969 supplement to the general statutes. (C) ``Dispense'' means to give,
distribute, leave with, or deliver drugs to an employee in amounts to satisfy the
needs of the employee for a time period greater than the number of hours in the
work shift. (D) ``Manufacturer of drugs'' means a person who has complied with
state and federal requirements regarding the manufacture of drugs. (E) ``Narcotic
drug'' means a narcotic drug as defined in section 19-433 (18) of the 1969 supplement
to the general statutes. (F) ``Prescription drug'' means a drug which is not permitted
by federal drug laws to be sold, administered or dispensed without a prescription
or written order from a licensed practitioner. (G) ``Licensed pharmacy'' means a
pharmacy licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 382 of the general
statutes. (H) ``Wholesaler of drugs'' means a person who has complied with the
state and federal requirements regarding the wholesaling of drugs.
(2) Procurement. Prescription drugs, including non-narcotic controlled drugs, for
use in an industrial health facility shall be purchased or obtained by the medical
director from a wholesaler or manufacturer of drugs. In an emergency, prescription
drugs, including nonnarcotic controlled drugs, may be purchased or obtained from
a licensed pharmacy. Narcotic drugs for use in an industrial health facility shall be
purchased or obtained by the medical director from a manufacturer or wholesaler
of drugs on an official narcotic order form. The medical director shall register with
the internal revenue service and obtain a Class 4 narcotic tax stamp with the address
of the industrial health facility.
Sec. 19-13-D page 120 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D44
(3) Administration. Nonprescription drugs may be administered by a physician,
a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse or an individual who has completed
successfully the advanced American Red Cross first-aid course or the equivalent in
accordance with a written general medical directive from the medical director, or
in accordance with a specific written or oral order from a physician for a specific
patient. Prescription drugs, including narcotic and other controlled drugs, may be
administered by a physician, or by a registered nurse in accordance with a specific
oral or written order from a physician for a specific patient. A registered nurse may,
in an emergency, administer a prescription drug in accordance with a general written
medical directive from the medical director. The physician shall confirm a verbal
order in writing on the patient's medical record. Written orders shall be filed in the
patient's medical record. Only a physician or registered nurse may administer drugs
intramuscularly. Only a physician may administer drugs intravenously.
(4) Dispensing. Drugs may be dispensed by a physician. A drug or drugs dispensed
by a registered nurse, when ordered by a physician orally or in writing to dispense
a drug or drugs to a specific patient, shall be construed to have been dispensed by
the physician. The physician shall confirm a verbal order in writing on the patient's
medical record. Written orders shall be filed with the patient's medical record.
(5) Records. (A) Controlled drugs, including narcotics. A record separate from
the medical records shall be kept of controlled drugs purchased or received and
administered or dispensed. The record shall in each case show the date of receipt,
the name and address of the person from whom received and the kind and quantity
received The record shall show the date and time of administration, dispensing or
disposal, the name of the person to whom administered, dispensed or disposed, and
the kind and quantity of drug, the name of the physician who ordered the drug
administered or dispensed and the name of the individual who administered or
dispensed the drug. Each such record shall be separately maintained and kept for
a period of three years from the date of the transaction recorded. The keeping of a
record required by or under federal drug laws containing essentially the same
information as is specified above shall constitute compliance with this subsection,
provided each record shall, in addition, contain a detailed list of any controlled
drugs lost, destroyed or stolen, the kind and quantity of such drugs and the date of
the discovery of such loss, destruction or theft. A notation regarding the kind and
dosage of each controlled drug administered or dispensed to an employee shall be
made in the employee's medical record. This shall be signed and dated by the
individual who administered or dispensed the drug. An annual inventory of narcotic
drugs shall be prepared in June and filed with the internal revenue service and the
Class 4 narcotic tax stamp shall be renewed during June. (B) Prescription drugs
other than controlled drugs. A notation regarding the kind and dosage of each
prescription drug other than a controlled drug, administered or dispensed to an
employee shall be made in the employee's medical record. This shall be signed and
dated by the individual who administered or dispensed the drug. (C) Nonprescription
drugs. A notation regarding the kind and dosage of each nonprescription drug
administered or dispensed to an employee shall be made in the employee's medical
record. This notation shall be signed and dated by the individual who administered
or dispensed the drug.
(6) Storage. (A) Narcotic drugs. Class A and B narcotic drugs not in excess of
twelve taxable items shall be stored in a strong locked nonportable container in a
locked medicine cabinet. Keys to the container shall be kept separate from the keys
to the cabinet and such keys shall be kept only by a physician or a registered nurse.
Sec. 19-13-D page 121 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D46
Class A and B narcotic drugs in excess of twelve taxable items shall be kept in an
approved chest or safe. Class X narcotic drugs shall be stored in the same manner
as other prescription drugs. (B) Prescription drugs excluding Class A and B narcotic
drugs. Prescription drugs excluding Class A and B narcotic drugs shall be stored
in a medicine cabinet. The cabinet shall be locked when neither a physician nor a
registered nurse is in attendance in the industrial health facility. Keys to the medicine
cabinet shall be kept only by a physician or a registered nurse. (C) Nonprescription
drugs. Nonprescription drugs shall be stored in a locked medicine cabinet when no
one is in attendance in the industrial health facility.
(7) Labeling. Drugs may be repackaged for stock by a physician. Drugs repackaged
for stock by a registered nurse under the direction and supervision of a physician
shall be construed to have been repackaged by a physician. The proper label shall
be affixed to the container containing repackaged stock drugs. The container in
which a drug is dispensed shall contain a label with the name of the patient, name
of the drug, strength of the drug, directions for use, name of the prescribing physician,
the date of dispensing and the precautions, if any, to be taken. The name of the
drug and the strength may be deleted from the label if the label contains a code
number or some other device by which the individual dispensing the drug can
identify it.
(8) Additional requirements. Additional requirements which the commissioner of
health may prescribe regarding safeguarding and handling of drugs in special cases
shall be complied with.
(h) Discontinuation. The administrator of the industrial health facility shall notify
the commissioner of health at least fifteen days prior to discontinuation of operation
of an industrial health facility to assure proper disposal of drugs and potentially
hazardous equipment and proper disposition of medical records.
(Effective November 9, 1971)
Licensing Outpatient Clinics Operated by
Corporations or Municipalities
Sec. 19-13-D45. Definition
Outpatient clinics operated by corporations or municipalities. For the purposes
of sections 19-13-D45 to 19-13-D53, inclusive, an outpatient clinic is an organization
operated by a municipality or a corporation other than a hospital which provides
ambulatory medical or dental care for diagnosis, treatment and care of persons with
chronic or acute conditions which do not require overnight care, or medical or dental
care to well persons including preventive services and maintenance of health.
(Effective April 4, 1972)
Sec. 19-13-D46. Buildings and equipment
(a) A clinic building shall be of sound construction and shall provide adequate
space and equipment for patient interviews, physical examinations and treatment
of patients and for service and other areas in accordance with the requirements of
the state department of public health.
(b) Clinic buildings and equipment shall meet the requirements of the state fire
safety code. Annual application for approval shall be accompanied by a certificate
of inspection by the local fire marshal.
(c) Areas in which explosive gases or radioactive materials are used shall provide
for adequate protection of patients and personnel.
Sec. 19-13-D page 122 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D46
(d) The clinic buildings and equipment shall be maintained in a good state of
repair and shall be kept clean at all times.
(Effective April 4, 1972; amended December 30, 1996)
Sec. 19-13-D47. Governing board, administrator
(a) A clinic shall be managed by a governing board whose duties shall include,
as a minimum:
(1) Adoption of bylaws or their equivalent, rules and regulations or their equiva-
lent, including medical or dental staff bylaws, or both;
(2) annual appointment of the medical or dental staff with annual designation of
medical or dental director; and
(3) appointment of a clinic administrator, qualified on the basis of training and
experience approved by the commissioner of public health.
(b) The administrator, or the equivalent, shall be responsible to the governing
board for the management and operation of the clinic and for the employment of
personnel. He shall attend meetings of the governing board and meetings of the
professional staff.
(c) Personnel shall be employed in sufficient numbers and of adequate qualifica-
tions so that the function of the clinic may be performed efficiently.
(Effective April 4, 1972; amended December 30, 1996)
Sec. 19-13-D48. Professional staff
(a) There shall be an organized professional staff of not fewer than three members
of the major profession or professions providing care in the clinic; except that, in
a family-planning clinic or well-child clinic, the staff may consist of a medical
director and one other major profession providing care in the clinic.
(b) The professional staff shall adopt written rules and regulations governing its
own activities, subject to approval of the governing board of the clinic. As a minimum
these shall include:
(1) Methods of control of privileges granted to members of the medical or dental
staff and the responsibilities of the medical or dental director;
(2) method of professional supervision of clinical work;
(3) provision for regular staff meetings;
(4) preparation of adequate case records; and
(5) procedure for recommending appointment to the staff and for hearing com-
plaints regarding the conduct of members, referring the same, with recommendations,
to the governing board.
(Effective April 4, 1972; amended December 30, 1996)
Sec. 19-13-D49. Records
(a) There shall be adequate provisions for the retention and storage of medical
or dental records with adequate space and equipment and qualified medical record
personnel, if necessary. (b) A medical or dental record shall be started for each
patient at the time of admission, including proper identifying data. Medical and
dental records shall include sufficient information to justify the diagnosis made and
warrant the treatment given or services provided. Each entry shall be signed by the
person responsible for it. (c) Medical and dental records shall be filed in the clinic
in a manner accessible to the professional staff, with proper provision for their
confidentiality, and shall be kept for a minimum of five years after discharge of
the patient.
(Effective April 4, 1972)
Sec. 19-13-D page 123 (2-06)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D54
Sec. 19-13-D50. Nursing personnel
Sufficient licensed nursing personnel shall be employed to render the care, treat-
ment or preventive services necessary, including the administration of drugs and
biologicals as required by the stated program of the clinic.
(Effective April 4, 1972)
Sec. 19-13-D51. Pharmaceutical
Where pharmaceutical are dispensed other than by a physician there shall be a
pharmacy which meets the following requirements: (1) There shall be a competent
pharmacist, registered in Connecticut, who shall be responsible to the administrator
for all pharmaceutical services in the clinic. (2) The pharmacy shall be operated in
compliance with all applicable state and federal drug laws and regulations. (3) The
premises shall be kept clean, adequately lighted, and ventilated, and the equipment
and facilities necessary for compounding, dispensing, manufacturing, producing or
processing of drugs shall be maintained in good order. (4) Drugs used in the clinic
shall meet standards established by the United States Pharmacopoeia, The National
Formulary or the Federal Food and Drug Administration and shall be stored and
kept so as to insure their proper purity and strength. A medical staff pharmacy
committee in conference with the pharmacist shall formulate policies to control the
administration of toxic or dangerous drugs with specific reference to the duration
of the order and the dosage. All applicable statutes and regulations governing the
purchase, storage and dispensing of drugs and biologicals shall be in force at all times.
(Effective April 4, 1972)
Sec. 19-13-D52. Maintenance
The management, operation, personnel, equipment, facilities, sanitation and main-
tenance of the clinic shall be such as reasonably to assure the health, comfort and
safety of patients at all times.
(Effective April 4, 1972)
Sec. 19-13-D53. Inspection
Clinics shall be inspected biennially by the state department of public health to
test for ongoing compliance with sections 19-13-D45 through 19-13-D54 of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(Effective April 4, 1972; amended December 30, 1996)
Sec. 19-13-D54. Abortions
(a) No abortion shall be performed at any stage of pregnancy except by a person
licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Connecticut.
(b) All induced abortions will be reported within seven days by the physician
performing the procedure to the state commissioner of public health who will
maintain such reports in a confidential file and use them only for statistical purposes
except in cases involving licensure. Such reports will specify date of abortion, place
where performed, age of woman and town and state of residence, approximate
duration of pregnancy, method of abortion, and explanation of any complications.
The name of the woman will not be given. These records will be destroyed within
two years after date of receipt. In addition, a fetal death certificate shall be filed
for each fetus born dead which is the result of gestation of not less than twenty
weeks, or a live birth certificate shall be filed for each fetus born alive regardless
of gestational age, as provided in sections 7-48 and 7-60 of the Connecticut General
Statutes. If a live born fetus subsequently dies, a death certificate shall be filed as
provided in section 7-62b of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Sec. 19-13-D page 124 (2-06)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D54
(c) All induced abortions after the second trimester as verified by ultrasound, last
menstrual period and pelvic exam, shall be done only in a licensed hospital with a
department of obstetrics and gynecology and a department of anesthesiology.
(d) All outpatient clinics operated by corporations or municipalities where abor-
tions are performed shall develop standards to control the quality of medical care
provided to women having abortions. These standards shall include but not necessar-
ily be limited to:
(1) verification of pregnancy and determination of duration of pregnancy;
(2) pre-operative instruction and counseling;
(3) operative permission and informed consent;
(4) pre-operative history and physical examination;
(5) pre-operative laboratory procedure for blood Rh factor;
(6) prevention of Rh sensitization;
(7) examination of the tissue by a pathologist;
(8) receiving and recovery room facilities;
(9) a standard operating room;
(10) post-operative counseling including family planning; and
(11) a permanent record.
(e) There shall be a mechanism for continuing review to evaluate the quality of
records and the quality of clinical work. This review shall include all deaths,
complications, infections and such other cases as shall be determined by the chief
of the department of obstetrics and gynecology of the hospital or the clinic medi-
cal director.
(f) No person shall be required to participate in any phase of an abortion that
violates his or her judgment, philosophical, moral or religious beliefs.
(g) If the newborn shows signs of life following an abortion, those measures used
to support life in a premature infant shall be employed.
(h) During the third trimester of pregnancy, abortions may be performed only
when necessary to preserve the life or health of the expectant mother.
(Effective February 25, 1974; amended December 30, 1996, August 1, 2005)
Sec. 19-13-D55.
Repealed, September 28, 1988.
Sec. 19-13-D55a. Licensure of an out-patient dialysis unit and standards for
in-hospital dialysis units
(a) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) ``Dialysis Unit'' or ``Unit'' means:
(A) An out-of-hospital out-patient dialysis unit that is a licensed facility which
provides services on an out-patient basis to persons requiring dialysis on a short-
term basis or for a chronic condition or training for home dialysis; or
(B) An in-hospital dialysis unit that is a special unit of a licensed hospital designed,
equipped and staffed to offer dialysis therapy on an out-patient basis, and to provide
training for home dialysis and renal transplantation as appropriate.
(2) ``Dialysis Treatment'' means:
(A) Chronic dialysis given to patients who have reached that stage of kidney
impairment that requires dialysis to maintain life; or
(B) Acute dialysis given to patients who require dialysis because of temporary
kidney failure.
Sec. 19-13-D page 125 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D55a
(3) ``Administrator/Director'' means an individual employed by and accountable
to the unit's governing body with responsibility for overall management of the unit
and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
(4) ``Nurse Manager'' means a registered nurse with accountability to the unit
administrator/director for the nursing management, provision, coordination and qual-
ity of patient care delivered in the unit.
(5) ``Charge Nurse'' means a registered nurse to whom the nurse manager has
delegated accountability for the coordination and supervision of all nursing care
activities provided in the dialysis unit for a specified period of time.
(6) ``Medical Director'' means a physician responsible for supervision and assur-
ance of the quality of the medical, technical and related administrative functions of
the dialysis unit.
(7) ``Patient Care Staff'' means registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and
patient care technicians, who provide dialysis treatments to patients.
(8) ``Patient Care Technician'' means a trained employee in a dialysis unit who
may participate in patient care under the direct supervision of a registered nurse.
(9)``Direct Supervision'' means supervision of the dialysis treatment continuously
in the same room in which the treatment is being performed.
(b) Licensure Procedure.
(1) The Agency of Cognizance. A dialysis unit shall not be constructed, expanded
or licensed to operate except upon application for, receipt of approval, and compli-
ance with any limitations and conditions required by the Agency of Cognizance
pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, section 19a-638 and 19a-639, when
applicable.
(2) No person shall operate a dialysis unit without a license issued by the Depart-
ment in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, Section 19a-491.
(3) Application for Licensure for Out-of-Hospital Out-Patient Dialysis Units.
(A) Application for the grant or renewal of a license to operate an out-of-hospital
out-patient dialysis unit shall be made in writing on forms provided by the Depart-
ment; shall be signed by the person seeking the authority to operate the facility;
shall be notarized, and shall include at a minimum the following information:
(i) Evidence of compliance with local zoning ordinances and local building codes
upon initial application;
(ii) Local fire marshal's annual certificate of compliance;
(iii) Statement of ownership and operation;
(iv) Certificate of public liability insurance;
(v) Current organization chart;
(vi) Description of services provided.
(B) Application for license renewal shall be made in accordance with subdivision
(A) above and not less than 30 days preceding the date of expiration of the unit's
current license.
(4) Issuance and Renewal of Licensure for Out-of-Hospital Out-Patient Dial-
ysis Units.
(A) Upon determination by the Department that a unit is in compliance with the
statutes and regulations pertaining to its licensure, the Department shall issue a
license or renewal of license to operate a unit for a period not to exceed two years.
(B) The license shall not be transferable to any other person, or facility or location.
(C) Each license shall list, on its face, the location and licensed number of
hemodialysis stations, the types of treatment services provided, the name of the
Sec. 19-13-D page 126 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D55a
licensee, the name under which the unit does business, and the dates of issuance
and expiration of said license.
(D) The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place in a room accessible to
the public.
(E) The licensee shall notify the Department in writing of any proposed change
of ownership, location or services at least ninety days prior to the effective date of
such proposed changes.
(5) Surrender of License. The facility shall notify in writing the Department, each
patient concerned, the next of kin or legal representative, and any third party payors
concerned at least 30 days prior to the voluntary surrender of a facility's license or
surrender of license upon the Department's order of revocation, refusal to renew
or suspension of license. In such cases, the current license shall be surrendered, to
the Department, within seven days of the termination of operation.
(c) Governing Body
(1) The dialysis unit shall be under the control of a governing body, which shall
be responsible for the following:
(A) Oversight of the management and operation of the dialysis unit.
(B) Adoption, and documented annual review of written policies and procedures,
governing all aspects of the dialysis unit to include, at a minimum, the following:
(i) Health care and safety of patients;
(ii) The overall quality improvement program for the unit;
(iii) Personnel policies;
(iv) Patient grievance mechanism;
(v) Types of renal dialysis equipment to be utilized;
(vi) Reuse of dialysis devices in accordance with accepted standards of practice;
(vii) Operating hours;
(viii) Methods of selection of patients;
(ix) Patients on transplant status;
(x) Prevention and control of infectious diseases among patients and staff to
include appropriate referrals and written notification to the Department of Public
Health.
(C) Establishment of written transfer agreements with hospitals in the immediate
vicinity for the provision of in-patient services (applicable to out-of-hospital out-
patient dialysis units only).
(D) Appointment of a qualified administrator/director.
(E) Appointment of a qualified medical director.
(F) Approval of all appointments made to the medical staff of the dialysis unit.
(G) Determination of the frequency of meetings of the governing body and
documentation of such meetings through minutes.
(d) Administrator/Director
(1) The Administrator/Director shall have:
(A) A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent and at least one year of experience
in a dialysis unit; or
(B) The qualifications referenced in Section 19-13-D55a (e) (1) or Section 19-
13-D55a (g) (2) of these regulations.
(C) Any person currently employed as an administrator/director of a dialysis unit
as of September 28, 1988 shall be eligible to continue in the unit of employment
without restriction.
(2) The administrator/director shall be responsible for the overall management
of the unit and shall have the following responsibilities:
Sec. 19-13-D page 127 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D55a
(A) Implementation of the policies and procedures which have been adopted by
the governing body.
(B) Maintenance of procedure manuals, which are made available to all personnel,
to include documented annual review with revisions made as appropriate.
(C) Ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations
and laws.
(3) The Department shall be notified in writing, within five (5) business days of
any change of administrator/director of the dialysis unit.
(e) Medical Director.
(1) The medical director shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in
Connecticut and who is board eligible or certified in nephrology by a professional
board and who has at least 12 months experience in the care of patients in dial-
ysis facilities.
(2) Any person currently serving as a medical director of a dialysis unit as of
September 28, 1988 shall be eligible to continue in the dialysis unit of employment
without restrictions.
(3) The medical director shall:
(A) Enforce the unit's policies and procedures governing medical care;
(B) Ensure that quality patient care is provided in the dialysis unit;
(C) Serve as liaison between the medical staff and administration;
(D) Recommend to the governing body the approval or denial of applications for
membership on the medical staff;
(E) Designate in writing a physician licensed to practice medicine in Connecticut
and who is board eligible or certified in nephrology to act in his or her absence.
(4) The Department shall be notified in writing, within five (5) business days of
any change of medical director of the dialysis unit.
(f) Medical Staff.
(1) Each facility shall have an active organized medical staff.
(2) Medical staff of a dialysis unit shall be physicians licensed in the State of
Connecticut who have completed or are in the process of completing special educa-
tion and training programs, which shall include renal physiology and pathology.
(3) The active organized medical staff shall adopt written policies and procedures
governing the medical care of the dialysis unit's patients. Such policies and proce-
dures shall be approved by the medical director and the governing body. The policies
and procedures shall include, at a minimum:
(A) Acceptable standards of practice for the medical staff;
(B) Participation in the medical components of the unit's quality improvement
program.
(C) Standards to assure that, in the event of the medical director's absence,
inability to act, or vacancy of the medical director's office, another physician who
is board eligible or certified in nephrology on the facility's active organized medical
staff is temporarily appointed to serve in that capacity.
(D) Protocols for services, if any, which may be provided by non-physician health
professionals such as physician's assistants or advanced practice registered nurses.
(4) Members shall meet at least quarterly. Minutes shall be maintained for all
such meetings. The regular business of the medical staff meetings shall include, at
a minimum, analysis of and recommended actions concerning the medically related
components of the unit's quality improvement program, including but not limited
to adverse incidents and trends in patient-related dialysis parameters, including
outcomes.
Sec. 19-13-D page 128 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D55a
(g) Nurse Manager.
(1) The administrator/director shall appoint as nurse manager, a registered nurse
licensed in the State of Connecticut.
(2) The nurse manager shall have special education, training and experience in
dialysis techniques, 12 months of experience in clinical nursing and an additional
6 months of experience in nursing care of patients with permanent kidney failure
who are receiving dialysis treatments.
(3) The nurse manager is responsible for the supervision, provision and quality
of nursing care to include the coordination of all nursing activities in the dialysis
unit. The nurse manager shall ensure that quality nursing care is provided in the unit.
(4) A charge nurse shall be designated by the nurse manager as responsible for
the dialysis unit's nursing activities during the nurse manager's absences.
(5) In addition to the nurse manager, who shall not be counted in the dialysis
unit's staffing pattern, there shall be sufficient numbers of licensed nurses and
additional personnel to meet the patient care needs of the unit. At all times, at least
fifty per cent (50%) of the unit's patient care staff shall be licensed nurses. There
shall be a registered nurse on duty at all times when the unit is in operation.
(A) The nurse manager shall implement a patient acuity system which is used to
determine the appropriate numbers and types of patient care staff to meet predicted
needs of patients on each shift. The acuity system used shall include:
(i) Categorization of patient needs performed on at least a monthly basis;
(ii) A quantitative mechanism to link patient needs to an appropriate number of
patient care staff for each shift;
(iii) A mechanism to differentiate which patient needs are appropriate for different
levels of patient care staff;
(iv) A plan for management of staffing emergencies affecting patient care;
(v) Documentation of the patient acuity system maintained in the unit for one year.
(B) The nurse manager shall develop a methodology to periodically determine if
the acuity system and unit staffing remain appropriate to the patient population
being served.
(C) The nurse manager shall ensure that there is sufficient supervision to provide
continuous monitoring of individual dialysis treatments.
(h) Nursing Staff.
(1) Qualified nursing staff of a dialysis unit shall consist of registered nurses and
practical nurses who are licensed in the State of Connecticut. A training program,
which shall be provided by the dialysis unit of employment prior to the employee
functioning in the position, shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(A) Instruction in anatomy and physiology, fluid and electrolyte balance, principles
related to dialysis systems and devices, renal drug therapy, complications of dialysis
therapy, emergency medical procedures, asepsis and infection control, dietary man-
agement and concepts of chronic end stage renal dialysis rehabilitation and
patient education.
(B) Documented validation of competency in both theory and practice.
(2) Provisions shall be made for periodic and systematic evaluation of per-
formance.
(3) All nursing staff shall participate in continuing education programs on an
annual basis.
(4) Registered nurse staff shall be responsible for all patient assessments, including
initial and discharge assessments.
(i) Additional Personnel.
Sec. 19-13-D page 129 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D55a
(1) Patient Care Technicians.
(A) Patient care technicians shall comprise no more than 50% of staff providing
direct care in the dialysis unit, with at least 50% of caregiver staff being licensed
nurses.
(B) Patient care technicians may collect baseline objective patient care data;
initiate, monitor and terminate dialysis treatments, and contribute information for
the patient's ongoing plan of care.
(C) A written patient care technician training program, Approved by the unit's
governing body, shall be developed to meet the needs of the individual unit. Training
programs, which shall be provided by the unit of employment prior to the employee
functioning in the position, shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(i) An introduction to dialysis, including principles of dialysis; care of the patient
with kidney failure; dialysis procedures, including initiation, monitoring and termina-
tion of dialysis treatment; possible complications of dialysis; water treatment; infec-
tion control; and safety and dialyzer reprocessing, if applicable.
(D) A registered nurse shall be responsible for coordination of the clinical training
of the patient care technician and shall assure that each patient care technician has
completed the training program and has demonstrated competency in all clinical
and theoretical areas.
(E) Records shall be kept to verify the participation and performance of each
trainee in each phase of the training program. The satisfactory completion of the
training program shall be attested to on each trainee's record by a registered nurse.
(F) Each patient care technician shall have an annual evaluation of performance.
This evaluation shall be written and maintained for a minimum of three years.
(G) Each patient care technician shall participate in continuing education programs
on an annual basis.
(H) Minimum qualifications for patient care technicians shall be a high school
diploma.
(2) Other technical staff.
(A) Other technical staff shall be appropriately trained and tested to perform the
assigned tasks and functions described in the dialysis unit's job description. This
training program shall be provided by the dialysis unit of employment and each
component shall be satisfactorily completed prior to the employee performing the
component independently. Verification of competency shall be in writing.
(B) Other technical staff shall function under the supervision of the nurse manager.
(C) Other technical staff may not initiate, monitor or terminate dialysis treatments.
(3) Social Worker.
(A) The administrator/director shall appoint a qualified social worker.
(B) A qualified social worker shall be licensed pursuant to section 20-195m of
the general statutes of Connecticut.
(C) Social work staff shall be employed in sufficient numbers to meet the needs
of the patients.
(D) The social work staff shall assess and monitor each patient's adjustment to
the social and emotional aspects of the patient's illness and treatment, provide
casework or groupwork for patients and families as needed, participate in team
reviews of patients' progress and make recommendations regarding treatment based
on the patient's current psychosocial needs, provide direction for financial assistance,
identify community resources and assist patients and families in utilizing them.
(4) Dietitian.
Sec. 19-13-D page 130 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D55a
(A) The administrator/director shall appoint a qualified dietitian who shall be
registered by the American Dietetic Association and who has at least one year of
experience in clinical nutrition.
(B) The qualified dietitian shall be responsible for:
(i) A comprehensive assessment of patients' nutritional and dietetic needs;
(ii) Recommending medical nutritional therapy;
(iii) Counseling patients and significant others regarding nutritional and
dietetic needs;
(iv) Monitoring patient responses, both physiological and psychosocial, to medical
nutritional therapy.
(C) Dietitian staff shall be employed in sufficient numbers to meet the needs of
the patients.
(5) Medical Records Practitioner.
(A) The administrator/director shall appoint a qualified medical records prac-
titioner who:
(i) Has graduated from a program for medical record administrators accredited
by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the
American Medical Record Association, and is certified or is eligible for certification
as a registered record administrator (RRA) by the American Medical Record Associa-
tion; or
(ii) Has graduated from a program for medical record technicians approved jointly
by the Council on Medical Record Education of the American Medical Association
and the American Medical Record Association and is certified or is eligible for
certification as an accredited record technician (ART) by the American Medical
Record Association; or
(iii) Has successfully completed and received a passing grade in the American
Medical Record Association's Correspondence Course for Medical Record Personnel
approved by the Accrediting Commission of the National Home Study Council, and
is certified or is eligible for certification as an accredited record technician by the
American Medical Record Association; or
(iv) If the medical records practitioner cannot satisfy the above qualifications,
the provisions of this section may be met if such person functions with consultation
from a person who qualifies under paragraph(5) (A) (i) (ii) (iii).
(B) The medical records practitioner shall be responsible for the maintenance of
medical records in accordance with accepted standards of practice and for quarterly
audits of records.
(6) All housekeeping and cleaning staff shall receive training to ensure that
technical procedures used in cleaning and housekeeping are implemented to protect
the health and safety of patients, staff and the public.
(7) Other staff as deemed necessary for the care of the patient. Such staff will
function under the supervision of the appropriate qualified professional.
(j) Clinical Records.
(1) There shall be adequate provision for the retention and storage of all clinical
records which shall ensure the safety of such records and the confidentiality of the
information contained therein.
(2) Adequate space and equipment shall be provided for record keeping, and the
records shall be maintained in a secure manner so as to protect their confidentiality
and integrity.
(3) A clinical record shall be started for each patient at the time of admission to
the unit to include all identifying data. Each patient's record shall contain sufficient
Sec. 19-13-D page 131 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D55a
information to justify the diagnosis and warrant the treatment given or services
provided. A patient care plan including specific interventions to meet all identified
patient needs shall be included. Each entry in the record shall be signed by the
person responsible for it immediately after the service or treatment is rendered.
(4) All records shall be maintained in an out-of-hospital out-patient dialysis unit
for a minimum of five years following the discharge of the patient. When records
are archived off-site or stored electronically, provisions shall be made for retrieval
and maintenance of confidentiality.
(5) Entries shall be made in the clinical record by all disciplines at least quarterly
and at the time of any changes in the patient's condition or treatment.
(k) Pharmaceutical Services.
(1) The dialysis unit shall ensure the availability of pharmaceutical services,
where indicated, to meet the needs of the patient.
(2) The pharmaceutical services shall be under the direction of a licensed pharma-
cist who shall be directly responsible to the administrator/director for:
(A) Supervision of the pharmaceutical services to assure conformance with
accepted standards of practice, unit policies and all applicable state and federal laws.
(B) Development and implementation of current written policies and procedures
that govern the procurement, storage, preparation, distribution, disposal, control and
recording of drugs and biologicals.
(C) Inspection of all drug preparation and storage areas (including emergency
drugs) at suitable intervals to ensure that:
(i) Drugs and biologicals are dispensed, packaged and labeled in accordance with
accepted standards of practice and all applicable state and federal laws.
(ii) Drugs and biologicals are stored under proper conditions of sanitation, security,
segregation and environmental control.
(iii) Drugs and biologicals which are out-dated, deteriorated, subjected to a drug
recall, improperly labeled or discontinued are disposed of in accordance with
approved procedures.
(iv) Emergency drugs are in adequate supply.
(v) Complete and accurate records are maintained for the receipt and disposition
of controlled substances.
(3) The licensed pharmacist shall be responsible for:
(A) Establishment of quality control specifications for the procurement of drugs
and biologicals used in the treatment of patients.
(B) Monitoring the drug therapy of patients for drug interactions, as appropriate.
(C) Participation, as appropriate, in inservice educational programs for the profes-
sional staff pertinent to drug therapy.
(D) Participation, as appropriate, in patient care conferences.
(E) Participation, as appropriate, in drug related patient and family education
and counseling.
(4) There shall be current, written policies and procedures, approved by the
medical staff, that govern the safe prescribing and administration of drugs and the
proper recording of medication administration in the unit.
(l) General.
(1) For each position in the dialysis unit, there shall be a job description identifying
required qualifications, training and/or past experience and the specific duties of
the position.
(2) There shall be a program of continuing staff education provided in order to
maintain and improve knowledge and skills.
Sec. 19-13-D page 132 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D55a
(3) There shall be ancillary and functional dialysis machines readily available in
the facility.
(4) The facility shall provide any special dialysate formulas (non-routine formulas
of acetate) required by patients.
(5) On each dialysis unit or in close proximity there shall be maintained, at a
minimum, emergency equipment and drugs for resuscitation and defibrillation.
(6) The management, operation, personnel, equipment, facilities, sanitation and
maintenance of the dialysis unit, to include the care and services rendered within
the dialysis unit, shall be such as to reasonably ensure the health, comfort and safety
of patients, staff and the public at all times.
(7) Written fire and disaster plans shall be formulated and posted in a conspicu-
ous location.
(8) If the unit provides self-dialysis training, the following support services shall
be provided:
(A) Initial and periodic assessment by the appropriate professionals of the patient's
home adaptation, including visits to the home, based on the patient's needs, and
arrangements for monthly follow-up visits at the dialysis unit. The patient care plan
shall include a schedule of assessments.
(B) Consultation with a qualified social worker and dietitian.
(C) Installation and maintenance of equipment.
(D) Ordering of supplies on an ongoing basis.
(E) Testing and appropriate treatment of water for home hemodialysis patients.
(m) Physical Plant Standards.
(1) General Provisions.
(A) All plans and specifications for new construction or alterations shall be
submitted to the State Department of Public Health, the local Fire Marshal and the
local building inspector for approval before construction is undertaken.
(B) Any facility licensed after the effective date of these regulations shall conform
with the construction requirements described this section. Any facility licensed
prior to the effective date of these regulations shall comply with the construction
requirements in effect at the time of licensure. However, if the Commissioner or
the Commissioner's designee determines that a pre-existing non-conformity with
this subsection creates serious risk of harm to patients in a facility, the Commissioner
may order such facility to comply with the pertinent portion of this subsection.
(C) Waiver.
(i) The Commissioner or his/her designee, in accordance with the general purposes
and intent of these regulations, may waive provisions of the Physical Plant Standards
of these regulations if the Commissioner determines that such waiver would not
endanger the life, safety or health of any patient. The Commissioner shall have the
power to impose conditions which assure the health, safety and welfare of patients
upon the grant of such waiver, or to revoke such waiver upon a finding that the
health, safety, or welfare of any patient has been jeopardized.
(ii) Any facility requesting a waiver shall apply in writing to the Department.
Such application shall include:
(a) The specific regulations for which the waiver is requested;
(b) Reasons for requesting a waiver, including a statement of the type and degree
of hardship that would result to the facility upon enforcement of the regulations;
(c) The specific relief requested; and
(d) Any documentation which supports the application for waiver.
Sec. 19-13-D page 133 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D55a
(iii) In consideration of any application for waiver, the Commissioner or his/her
designee may consider the following:
(a) The maximum patient capacity;
(b) The impact of a waiver on care provided;
(c) Alternative policies or procedures proposed.
(iv) The Department reserves the right to request additional information before
processing an application for waiver.
(v) Any hearing which may be held in conjunction with an application for waiver
shall be held in conformance with Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes
and Department regulations.
(2) Site.
(A) The site or location of a new dialysis unit shall be approved by the State
Department of Public Health.
(B) No facility shall be constructed or converted to this use without city water
and sanitary sewers.
(C) Adequate off street parking stalls shall be provided at the ratio of one for
each patient station.
(3) Code.
(A) All new dialysis units shall comply with the State of Connecticut Fire Safety
Code and Supplements and the State Basic Building Code and Supplements and
local zoning ordinances. Only the most current and most stringent code or regulation
shall be used.
(B) Facilities shall be usable by and accessible to persons with disabilities.
(C) An annual certificate from the local fire marshal shall be submitted with the
application for licensure to the State Department of Public Health.
(4) Administration. The following shall be provided:
(A) Entrance. A grade level or ramp entrance way. In multi-story structures where
the unit is above street level there must be ready access to an elevator which can
accommodate a stretcher and attendant.
(B) Waiting room. Two toilet areas and a public telephone, all equipped for use
by persons with disabilities, and seating accommodations for waiting periods shall
be available or accessible to the dialysis unit. Provisions shall be made for the
protection and security of patients' personal belongings.
(C) General or Individual Offices. The following shall be provided:
(i) Storage for medical records and office space for administrative and profes-
sional staffs.
(ii) Combination physician's office and examination room.
(iii) Office space for Dietitians and Social Workers which is available on or
accessible to the dialysis unit.
(5) Patient Treatment Area. The following shall be provided in a dialysis unit:
(A) Each patient bed shall be located to provide clearance of three feet (3 ′)o n
each side and front.
(B) The lounge chair shall be located to permit a clearance of three feet (3 ′)o n
each side and front.
(C) The unit shall be designed to provide privacy for each patient by the use of
cubicle curtains, or by separate cubicles.
(D) An isolation room of a minimum of one-hundred square feet (100 ′) shall be
provided, with a toilet room, and an entry vestibule or outer room, containing sink,
counter space, and storage space. The lavatory shall be located within the isolation
Sec. 19-13-D page 134 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D55a
room. The isolation room shall be a part of the unit. A separate entrance from inside
the unit to the isolation room shall also be provided.
(E) Handwashing facilities shall be convenient to the treatment area.
(F) Individually controlled reading lights shall be provided for each patient station.
(G) A private treatment room of at least one hundred twenty-five square feet
(125′) shall be provided for patients who are being trained to use dialysis equipment
at home.
(6) Nursing Unit. The following shall be provided in a dialysis unit:
(A) A nurses' station, which has direct visual observation of all patients.
(B) Medication preparation area - provision shall be made for an area to prepare
medications. This may be a medication room of not less than forty-five square feet
or a self-contained mobile medication cabinet. The medication preparation area
shall be equipped with locked storage and non-portable steel storage for controlled
substances. If a mobile medication cabinet is not stored within a locked area it may
be located in close proximity to the nurses' station provided it is secured with a
docking mechanism. All mobile medication cabinets shall be closed and locked
when not in current use.
(C) Clean workroom, which shall contain a work counter, handwashing sink, and
enclosed storage facilities for clean and sterile supply materials.
Minimum of fifty square feet (50 ′).
(D) Soiled workroom, which shall contain a flush rim sink, handwashing sink,
work counter, storage cabinets, waste receptacle and soiled linen receptacle. Mini-
mum of one-hundred square feet (100 ′). Out-of-hospital out-patient units shall also
have bedpan flushing devices that sterilize bedpans if disposable bedpans are not
used.
(E) Nourishment station is optional, but if provided, shall contain a handwashing
sink, refrigerator, and a storage cabinet. The station shall not be located within the
treatment area.
(F) Clean linen storage area or space for a unit linen cart with cover, if linen
is provided.
(G) An environmental services closet shall be provided adjacent to and for the
exclusive use of the unit. The closet shall contain a floor receptor or service sink
and storage space for housekeeping supplies and equipment.
(H) In those units in which a piped in oxygen system is not provided, a separate
storage closet shall be provided for the storage of oxygen cylinders.
(I) Supply areas of twenty square feet (20 ′) of floor area per patient station or
supply carts shall be provided.
(J) Central Delivery Systems. Each facility using a central delivery system shall
provide either on the premises, a Central Batch Mixing Room, or through written
arrangements, a delivery system for solutions used for the treatment of patients. If
used, a Central Batch Mixing Room shall contain mixing, storage and distribution
equipment, a sink), storage space and holding tanks. For facilities using bulk or
premixed solutions, storage and distribution spaces shall be provided.
(K) Equipment maintenance room of not less than one-hundred and fifty square
feet and equipped with a hand wash sink and a deep service sink. There shall be
at least one reverse osmosis (RO) supply available for each fifteen stations up to a
maximum of two.
(L) An equipment storage room for the storage of clean equipment available for
patient use.
Sec. 19-13-D page 135 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D55a
(M) Dialyzer reuse room. If dialyzers are reused, a reprocessing room is required,
sized to perform the functions required and to include one-way flow of materials
from soiled to clean with provisions for refrigeration (if dialyzers are stored prior
to reprocessing), decontamination/cleaning areas, sinks, processors, packing area,
dialyzer storage cabinet(s), and a computer and label printer, if used.
(7) Staff Facilities. Staff toilet and lockers shall be provided within the unit. All
units shall provide a staff locker room measuring ten square feet per patient station,
or sixty square feet whichever is more, provided however that the staff locker room
need not exceed a size of one-hundred fifty square feet.
(A) A separate staff dining/lounge shall be provided in out-of-hospital units.
(8) Details of Construction and Electrical Requirements. The following shall
be provided:
(A) Corridors shall not be less than five feet wide in an out-of-hospital out-
patient unit.
(B) Acoustic treated ceilings shall be provided in corridors, treatment areas,
nurses' stations, work areas and waiting area.
(C) An intercom and emergency call signaling system shall be provided between
the isolation room, the home training room, patient toilet rooms, nurses' station and
the staff dining/lounge area.
(D) Ceiling heights in patient treatment areas shall not be less than eight feet and
seven feet, eight inches in all other rooms.
(E) Wall surface finishes shall be washable and moisture resistant.
(F) The minimum width of doors to patient treatment areas shall be three feet,
ten inches, two feet, six inches for doors for staff use, and three feet eight inches
elsewhere.
(G) All sinks or lavatories in the clinical area shall be provided with any device
other than hand controls, soap, paper towels, and dispensers.
(H) Wall bases in treatment areas, soiled workrooms, equipment maintenance
room, environmental services closet and other areas which are frequently subject
to wet cleaning methods shall be made integral with the floor.
(I) Cubicle curtains and draperies shall be non-combustible or flame retardant.
(J) No walls shall block the view from the nurses' station to the patient area in
a given treatment area.
(K) Hospital type hardware shall be provided on doors to clean work rooms,
soiled workrooms and the isolation room.
(L) All plumbing lines, electrical conduit, and HVAC systems shall be enclosed.
(M) All materials, including equipment, conductors, controls and signaling devices
shall be installed to provide a complete electrical system.
(N) All electrical, mechanical, or piping installations and systems shall be tested
prior to initial licensure. The records of tests performed shall be maintained on the
premises for at least three years.
(O) A written preventative maintenance program shall be developed and imple-
mented. All records of the program shall be maintained for a three year period.
(9) Mechanical Systems. The following shall be provided:
(A) Plumbing.
(i) Plumbing for the unit shall be designed to provide a minimum water pressure
adequate to the needs of the equipment used with waste lines serving the dialysis
equipment designed to prevent backflow and necessary check valves and shutoff
valves appropriately located in the plumbing system.
Sec. 19-13-D page 136 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D55a
(ii) Backflow preventers (vacuum breakers) shall be installed on hose bibbs,
janitor's sinks, bedpan flushing attachments, clinical sinks, and all other attachments
to which hose or tubing can be attached.
(iii) If a centralized dialysate delivery system is utilized, each distribution line
shall be clearly labeled and color-coded to identify its contents.
(B) Electrical Service.
(i) There shall be a minimum of two duplex receptacles on each side of a patient
bed or lounge chair. Additional receptacles may be located where convenient for use.
(ii) Receptacles shall be located at least thirty-six inches (36 ″) above the floor
and be of ``hospital grade'' construction.
(C) Emergency Electrical Service.
(i) General. To provide electricity during an interruption of the normal electric
supply that could effect the nursing care, treatment, or safety of the occupants, an
emergency source of electricity shall be provided and connected to all circuits for
lighting and power.
(ii) Source. The source of this emergency electrical service shall be as follows:
An emergency electrical generating set, including prime mover and generator,
equipped with an automatic transfer switch (which will transfer within ten seconds),
shall be located on the premises and shall be reserved exclusively for supplying the
emergency electrical system. The emergency generator set shall be of sufficient
kilowatt capacity to supply all lighting and power load demands of the emergency
system. The power factor rating of the generator shall not be less than eighty percent.
(D) Emergency Electrical Connections. Emergency electrical services shall be
provided to circuits as follows:
(i) Lighting.
(a) All task lighting, exitways, exit signs, exit directional signs, exit doorways,
stairways, corridors, lobby, dialysis distribution systems and related equipment, and,
if provided, the water treatment system.
(b) Patient treatment rooms/cubicles, nursing station, medication preparation area,
clean workroom, soiled workroom, equipment storage and waiting room.
(c) Generator set location and switch gear location.
(ii) Equipment.
(a) A minimum of one duplex receptacle on each side of patient bed/chair, or
line isolation monitor panels connected to a dedicated circuit of a minimum of
twenty (20) amperes.
(b) One duplex receptacle in the equipment maintenance room.
(c) Corridor receptacles in the patient treatment area.
(d) Essential refrigerators.
(e) Telephone equipment, nurses' call and intercom systems which depend upon
electrical power supplied by facility.
(f) Central batch delivery, water treatment, and related systems and equipment.
(g) Dialyzer reuse equipment.
(h) Ventilation equipment.
(11) Environmental Sanitation.
(A) Space and facilities, either on site or through contractual arrangements, shall
be provided for the sanitary storage and disposal of contaminated waste.
(B) The water supply shall be tested at least twice annually by a state approved
laboratory as to sanitary, chemical, physical and bacteriological composition. Levels
will be maintained in accordance with written unit policies. A record of test results
shall be maintained in the unit for a period of three years.
Sec. 19-13-D page 137 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D55a
(12) Laboratory. Any dialysis unit which carries out laboratory testing, other than
that allowed by a clinical laboratory improvement act of 1988 certificate of waiver,
within the unit itself shall establish a separate room properly labeled as a laboratory.
This room shall be capable of being closed off from the rest of the unit by a suitable
door. This laboratory shall contain a work counter, storage cabinet, sink and other
appropriate equipment and supplies.
(13) Ventilation System Details. The following shall be provided:
(A) All air supply and air exhaust systems shall be mechanically operated. All
fans serving the exhaust system shall be located at the discharge end of the system.
The ventilation rates shown in Table I shall be minimum rates and shall not be
considered as precluding the use of higher ventilation rates.
(B) Duct linings shall not be used in HVAC systems.
(C) All central ventilation or air conditioning systems shall be equipped with
filters having efficiencies no less than 80 percent.
(D) Corridors shall not be used to supply air to any room.
(E) HVAC temperature and humidity shall provide the following: temperature
70-76°F; relative humidity 30% minimum - 50% maximum.
TABLE I - GENERAL PRESSURE RELATIONSHIPS AND VENTILATION
OF CERTAIN DIALYSIS AREAS
Minimum of Minimum
Changes of Total Air
Outdoor Air Changes per All Air
Pressure per Hour Hour Exhausted
Relationship to Supplied to Supplied to Directly to
Area Designation Adjacent Areas Room Room Outdoors
Patient
Treatment Area P 2 6 Yes
Office(s) E Optional 2 Yes
Examination and
Treatment Room V Optional 6 Optional
Waiting Room N 2 6 Optional
Medication Room P Optional 6 Optional
Isolation Room N 2 2 Yes
Isolation Room Alcove
or Anteroom N 2 10 Yes
Soiled Workroom N Optional 10 Yes
Clean Workroom P Optional 4 Optional
Equipment Maintenance
Room P Optional 6 Yes
Toilet Rooms N Optional 10 Yes
Equipment Storage Room V Optional 2 Optional
Environmental Services
Closet N Optional Yes
Sterilizer Equipment
Room N Optional 10 Yes
Laboratory N Optional 6 Yes
Soiled Linen N Optional 10 Yes
Clean Linen Storage V Optional 2 Optional
Dialyzer Reuse Room N 2 12 Yes
Central Batch Mixing
Room N 2 12 Yes
P = Positive N = Negative E = Equal V = Varying
(Effective September 28, 1988; amended October 2, 1997)
Sec. 19-13-D page 138 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D56
Licensing of Out-Patient Surgical Facilities
Operated by Corporations
Sec. 19-13-D56. Licensing of out-patient surgical facilities operated by corpo-
rations
(a) Definition. (1) For the purpose of section 19-13-D56, an out-patient surgical
facility is defined as operated by a corporation other than a hospital which provides
ambulatory surgical care in addition to the provision of medical care for diagnosis
and treatment of persons with acute or chronic conditions or to the provision of
surgical care to well persons.
(2) Ambulatory surgical care is defined as surgical care not requiring overnight
stay but requiring a medical environment exceeding that normally found in a physi-
cian's office. This medical environment may include any or all of the following:
(A) The pathological process for which the operation is to be performed shall
be localized and not conducive to systemic disturbance.
(B) The patient shall not, in the opinion of the attending physician, have other
significant physiological, biochemical or psychiatric disturbance which might be
worsened by the operation.
(C) The preoperative work-up to be done following admission shall not be such
as to extend the admission beyond the normal period of clinic operation during
one day.
(D) The postoperative recovery period anticipated shall not require skilled medi-
cal or nursing care such as to extend the admission beyond the normal period of
clinic operation during one day.
(E) Anesthesia requirement, which may render the patient unconscious and unable
to walk, but which will not prohibit discharge during the normal period of clinic
operation during the day on which the operation is performed.
(b) Physical Standards. A. Plans and specifications for new construction or
alterations shall be submitted to the state department of health for review and
approval before construction is undertaken.
B. The commissioner of health has issued the following minimum requirements
concerning the physical standards which will be the basis for review in the state
department of health.
(1) Code. (a) Every building where, on or after the effective date of these regula-
tions, is constructed or converted for use, in whole or in part, as an out-patient
surgical center shall comply with the requirements of the Basic Building Code, as
prepared by the Public Works Department, State of Connecticut; except as such
matters are otherwise provided for in a local municipal charter, or statutes, or in
the rules and regulations authorized for promulgation under the provisions of the
Basic Building Code.
(b) In addition to the State of Connecticut Basic Building Code, all out-patient
surgical facilities shall comply with the requirements of the following codes and
standards:
(1) State of Connecticut Fire Safety Code
(2) NFPAÐ101 Life Safety Code
(3) NFPAÐ76A Essential Electrical Systems for Health Care Facilities
(4) NFPAÐ56A Inhalation Anesthetics
(5) NFPAÐ56F Nonflammable Medical Gases
(6) NFPAÐ56G Inhalation Anesthetics in Ambulatory Care Facilities
Sec. 19-13-D page 139 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D56
(7) For reference purposes onlyÐNFPAÐ76B-M Electricity in Patient Care
Facilities
(8) The State of Connecticut labor laws, local fire safety codes and zoning
ordinances. Only the most current code or standard shall be used.
(c) Facilities shall be available and accessible to the physically handicapped and
designed in accordance with ANSI standards.
(d) An annual certificate from the local fire marshal that precautionary measures
meet his approval shall be submitted with the annual application for licensure to
the state department of health.
(2) Site. The site or location of a new surgical outpatient center shall be approved
by the state department of health.
(3) Size and Design. (a) The extent (number and types) of the diagnostic, clinical
and administrative facilities to be provided will be determined by the services
contemplated and estimated patient load.
(b) Prime consideration shall be given to patient traffic from the patient parking
area to out-patient admissions and through the surgical department to discharge
offices and to covered areas for patient pick-up.
(4) Privacy for Patient. The design of the facility shall provide for the privacy
and dignity of the patient during interview, examination and treatment.
(5) Maintenance of Systems and Equipment. All electrical gas, fire and alarm
systems and equipment shall be tested to standards initially prior to the placing in
service and tested periodically thereafter. Permanent records shall be maintained.
C. Administrative Provisions. The following shall be provided: (1) Entrance. At
grade level or ramped and in multi-story structures where the unit is above street
level, ready access to an elevator.
(2) Waiting Room. Public toilet facilities, drinking fountain, public telephone, and
seating accommodations for long waiting periods shall be provided on the premises.
(3) General or Individual Offices. For medical records and administrative and
professional staffs.
(4) Interview space(s) for private interviews relating to social services, credit
and admissions.
(5) Special Storage. For employees', patients' personal effects.
D. Clinical Facilities. The following shall be provided: (1) General Purpose
Examination Room(s). For medical, obstetrical and similar examinations. Shall have
a minimum floor area of eighty (80) square feet each, excluding such spaces as
vestibule, toilet, closet and work counter (whether fixed or movable). A lavatory
or sink equipped for handwashing and a counter or shelf space for writing shall
be provided.
(2) Treatment Room(s) for Minor Surgical Procedures and Cast Procedures. Shall
have a minimum floor area of one hundred-twenty (120) square feet each, excluding
such spaces as vestibule, toilet, closet, and work counter (whether fixed or movable).
The minimum room dimension shall be ten feet. A lavatory or sink equipped for
handwashing and a counter or shelf space for writing shall be provided.
(3) Outpatient surgery change areas. A separate area shall be provided where out-
patients change from street clothing into hospital gowns and are prepared for surgery.
This would include a waiting room, lockers, toilets, clothing change or gowning
area, and space for the administration of medications.
(4) Laboratory. Any out-patient surgical center which carries out laboratory testing
within the unit itself shall establish a separate room properly labeled as a laboratory.
This room shall be capable of being closed off from the rest of the unit by a suitable
Sec. 19-13-D page 140 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D56
door. This laboratory shall contain a work counter, storage cabinets and sink and
other appropriate equipment and supplies.
(5) Operating Room(s). Each operating room shall have a minimum clear area
of two hundred fifty (250) square feet exclusive of fixed and movable cabinets and
shelves. Additional clear area may be required by the program to accommodate
special functions in one or more of these rooms. Provide an emergency communica-
tion system connecting with the surgical suite control station. Provide at least one
X-ray film illuminator in each room, oxygen and vacuum.
(6) Recovery Room(s). Room(s) for post-anesthesia recovery for outpatient surgi-
cal patients shall be provided and shall contain handwashing facilities, charting
facilities, clinical sink with oxygen and vacuum available for each patient.
E. Surgical Service Areas. The following services shall be provided: (1) Control
station located to permit visual surveillance of all traffic which enters the
operating suite.
(2) Supervisor's office or station (may be shared with the control station.)
(3) Sterilizing facility(ies) with high speed autoclave(s) conveniently located to
serve all operating rooms. When the program indicates that adequate provisions
have been made for replacement of sterile instruments during surgery, sterilizing
facilities in the surgical suite will not be required.
(4) Scrub facilities. Two scrub stations shall be provided near entrance to each
operating room; however, two scrub stations may serve two operating rooms if the
scrub stations are located adjacent to the entrance of each operating room. Provide
viewing panels with wired glass to permit observation of the operating room from
the scrub area.
(5) Soiled workroom for the exclusive use of the surgical suite staff. The soiled
workroom shall contain a clinical sink or equivalent flushing type fixture, work
counter, sink equipped for handwashing, waste receptacle, and linen receptacle.
(6) Clean workroom. A clean workroom is required when clean materials are
assembled within the surgical suite prior to use. A clean workroom shall contain a
work counter, sink equipped for handwashing, and space for clean and sterile
supplies.
(7) Anesthesia Storage Facilities. A separate room shall be provided for the
storage of flammable gases (in accordance with the requirements detailed in NFPA
56A) if such gases are used.
(8) Anesthesia workroom for cleaning, testing and storing anesthesia equipment.
It shall contain a work counter and sink.
(9) Medical gas storage. Space for reserve storage of nitrous oxide and oxygen
cylinders shall be provided and constructed of one hour fire resistive construction
and in accordance with NFPA 56A and 56F.
(10) Equipment storage room(s) for equipment and supplies used in surgical suite.
(11) Staff clothing change area. Appropriate areas shall be provided for male and
female personnel (orderlies, technicians, nurses and doctors) working within the
surgical suite. The areas shall contain lockers, showers, toilets, lavatories equipped
for handwashing, and space for donning scrub suits and boots. These areas shall be
arranged to provide a one-way traffic pattern so that personnel entering from outside
the surgical suite can change, shower, gown, and move directly into the surgical
suite. Space for removal of scrub suits and boots shall be designed so that personnel
using it will avoid physical contact with clean personnel.
(12) Lounge and toilet facilities for surgical staff.
Sec. 19-13-D page 141 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D56
(13) Janitors' closet. A closet containing a floor receptor or service sink and
storage space for housekeeping supplies and equipment shall be provided exclusively
for the surgical suite.
(14) Doctors' Dictation. This space should be private and adequate in size for
the total number of doctors who may be dictating at the same time. It should be
located adjacent to but not inside the nurses' station, lounge or doctors' dressing area.
F. Supporting Services. (1) Janitors' Closet(s). This room shall contain a floor
receptor or service sink and storage for housekeeping supplies and equipment.
(2) Stretcher Storage Area. This area shall be out of direct line of traffic.
(3) Employees' Facilities. Locker rooms, lounges, toilets, or shower facilities, as
required, shall be provided to accommodate the needs of all personnel.
(4) Nourishment Rooms. Facilities and space should be provided for preparation
of light nourishment, and refrigeration of juices. An ice machine is desirable. Hand-
washing facilities must be provided in the room; should be located near the recov-
ery suite.
(5) General Storage Facilities. For office supplies, sterile supplies, pharmaceutical
supplies, splints and other orthopedic supplies, and housekeeping supplies and
equipment.
G. Details and Finishes. All details and finishes shall meet the following
requirements:
(1) Details. (a) Minimum public corridor width shall be five feet, zero inches (5 ′-
0″). Patient transfer corridors shall be eight feet, zero inches (8 ′-0″) wide.
(b) Each building shall have at least two exits remote from each other. Other
details relating to exits and fire safety shall be in accordance with the State Fire
Safety Code.
(c) The minimum width of doors for patient access to examination and treatment
rooms shall be three feet, zero inches (3 ′-0″); operating and recovery room doors
shall be three feet, 10 inches (3 ′-10″) wide and seven feet, zero inches (7 ′-0″) high.
(d) Doors on all openings between corridors and rooms or spaces subject to
occupancy, except elevator doors, shall be swing type.
(e) The location and arrangement of handwashing facilities shall permit their
proper use and operation. Particular care shall be given to the clearances required
for blade-type operating handles.
(f) Paper towel dispensers and soap dispensers shall be provided at all handwash-
ing fixtures.
(g) Radiation protection requirements of X-ray and gamma ray installations shall
conform with NCRP Reports Nos. 33 and 34. Provisions shall be made for testing
the completed installation before use.
(h) All handwashing sinks used by medical and nursing staff shall be trimmed
with valves which can be operated without the hands.
(i) If flammable gases are used, compliance with all requirements of NFPA
56A Inhalation Anesthetics is required for the installation of conductive flooring,
electrical systems, ventilation requirements and maintenance.
(j) Ceiling heights shall not be less than nine feet, six inches (9 ′-6″) in operating
rooms, and eight feet, zero inches (8 ′-0″) in all other rooms and corridors.
H. Finishes. (1) Flame spread and smoke developed ratings of finishes shall be
Class ``A'' 0-25.
(2) Floor materials shall be easily cleanable and have wear resistance appropriate
for the location involved. In all areas frequently subject to wet cleaning methods,
floor materials shall not he physically affected by germicidal and cleaning solutions.
Sec. 19-13-D page 142 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D56
Floors that are subject to traffic while wet, such as shower and bath areas and certain
work areas, shall have a nonslip surface.
(3) Wall finishes shall be washable and, in the immediate area of plumbing
fixtures, shall be smooth and moisture resistant.
(4) Wall bases in soiled workrooms and other areas which are frequently subject
to wet cleaning methods shall be made integral and coved with the floor.
(5) Duct linings shall not be used in systems supplying operating rooms and
recovery rooms.
I. Air Conditioning, Heating and Ventilating Systems. (1) Temperatures and
humidities. (a) The systems shall be designed to provide the following temperatures
and humidities in the areas noted:
Area Temperature °F Relative
Designation Humidity (%)
Min. Max.
Operating Rooms 70-76 50 60
Recovery Rooms 70-76 50 60
(2) Ventilation system details. All air-supply and air-exhaust systems shall be
located at the discharge end of the system. The ventilation rates shown in table 1
shall be considered as minimum acceptable rates and shall not be construed as
precluding the use of higher ventilation rates.
(a) Outdoor intakes shall he located as far as practical but not less than twenty-five
feet, zero inches (25 ′-0″) from exhaust outlets of ventilating systems, combustion
equipment stacks, medical-surgical vacuum systems, plumbing vents stacks, or from
areas which may collect vehicular exhaust and other noxious fumes. The bottom
of outdoor air intakes serving central systems shall be located as high as practical
but not less than six feet, zero inches (6 ′-0″) above ground level, or if installed
above the roof, three feet, zero inches (3 ′-0″) above the roof level.
(b) The ventilation systems shall be designed and balanced to provide the pressure
relationship as shown in table No. 1.
Sec. 19-13-D page 143 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D56
Table I. General Pressure Relationships and Ventilation of
Certain Out-Patient Surgical Areas
Minimum MinimumPressure Air Total Air All AirRelationship Changes Recirculated Changes ExhaustedArea Designation to of Outdoor within per Hour Directly toAdjacent Air per hour Room UnitsSupplied OutdoorsAreas Supplied to Roomto Room
Legend: P = Positive , E = Equal , N = Negative
Operating Room P 5 25 Optional No
Examination and
Treatment Room E 2 6 Optional Optional
Recovery Room P 2 6 Optional No
Examination
Room E 2 6 Optional Optional
Medication Room P 2 4 Optional Optional
Treatment Room E 2 6 Optional No
X-ray, Fluoros-
copy Rm. N 2 6 Yes No
X-ray, Treatment
Rm. E 2 6 Optional Optional
Soiled Workroom N 2 10 Yes No
Clean Workroom P 2 4 Optional Optional
Darkroom N 2 10 Yes No
Toilet Room N Optional 10 Yes No
Bathroom N Optional 10 Yes No
Janitors' Closet N Optional 10 Yes No
Sterilizer Equip-
ment Room N Optional 10 Yes No
Laboratory, Gen-
eral N 2 6 Optional Optional
Anesthesia Stor-
age (Flammable) E Optional 8 Yes No
Central Medical
and Surgical
Supply Soiled
or Decontam-
ination Room N 2 6 Yes No
Clean Workroom P 2 4 Optional Optional
Unsterile Supply
Storage E 2 2 Optional Optional
(c) All air supplied to operating rooms, shall be delivered at or near the ceiling
of the area served, and all exhaust air from the area shall be removed near flood
level. At least two exhaust outlets shall be used in all operating and delivery rooms.
(d) Corridors shall not be used to supply air to or exhaust air from any room.
(e) All central ventilation or air conditioning systems shall be equipped with
filters having efficiencies no less than those specified in table No. 2. Where two filter
beds are required, filter bed No. 1 shall be located upstream of the air conditioning
equipment and filter bed No. 2 shall be located downstream.
Sec. 19-13-D page 144 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D56
Table 2. Filter Efficiencies for Central Ventilation and Air Conditioning Sys-
tems in Out-Patient Surgery Facilities
Filter Efficiencies (Percent)
Minimum Number Filter Bed Filter Bed
Area Designation of Filter Beds No. 1 No. 2
Sensitive Areas 2 25 90
(Includes operating rooms and recovery rooms)
Where only one filter bed is required, it shall be located upstream of the air
conditioning equipment unless an additional prefilter is employed. In this case, the
prefilter shall be upstream of the equipment and the main filter may be located
further downstream.
(f) A manometer shall be installed across each filter bed serving sensitive areas
or central air systems.
(g) Air handling duct systems shall meet the requirements of NFPA Standard 90A.
J. Electrical Requirements. (1) Lightning. (a) All spaces occupied by people,
machinery, and equipment within buildings, approaches to buildings, and parking
lots shall have lighting.
(b) A portable or fixed examination light shall be provided in each examination
and treatment room.
(c) Operating rooms shall have general lighting in addition to local lighting
provided by special lighting units at the surgical tables. Each special lighting unit
at the tables, except for portable units, shall be connected to an independent circuit.
Supplemental self contained emergency battery light units, with battery, trickle
charger, supervisory and monitoring systems and controls shall be provided in each
operating room.
(2) Receptacles (Convenience Outlets). (a) Anesthetizing locations. Each
operating room shall have at least three receptacles of the types described in NFPA
Standard 56A. In locations where mobile X-ray is used, an additional receptacle,
distinctively marked for X-ray use, shall be provided.
(b) Rooms. Duplex grounding type receptacles shall be installed in all areas in
sufficient quantities for the tasks to be performed. A minimum of one duplex
receptacle for each wall shall be installed in each work area or room other than
storage or lockers. Each examination and work table shall have access to a minimum
of two duplex receptacles.
(c) All electrical receptacles in examination, treatment, procedure, recovery and
utility rooms, shall be a hospital grade type.
(3) Equipment Installation in Special Areas. (a) X-ray Installations. Fixed and
mobile X-ray equipment installations shall conform to article 660 of NFPA Stan-
dard 70.
(4) Emergency Electric Service. (a) General. To provide electricity during an
interruption of the normal electric supply, an emergency source of electricity shall
be provided and connected to certain circuits for lighting and power in accordance
with NFPA 76A.
(b) Sources. The source of this emergency electric service shall be: Emergency
generating set. The required emergency generating set, including the prime mover
and generator, shall be located on the premises and shall be reserved exclusively
for supplying the emergency electrical system.
(c) Emergency electrical connections. Emergency electric service shall be provided
to the distribution systems as follows: Circuits for the safety of patients and personnel.
Sec. 19-13-D page 145 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D56
(A) Illumination of means of egress as required in NFPA Standard 101.
(B) Illumination for exit signs and exit directional signs as required in NFPA
Standard 101.
(C) Alarm systems including fire alarms and alarms required for nonflammable
medical gas systems if installed.
(D) Paging or speaker systems if intended for communication during emergency.
(d) Circuits essential to care, treatment, and protection of patients. (A) Task
illumination and selected receptacles; drug distribution stations; operating and recov-
ery rooms; treatment rooms; and nurses' stations.
(B) Nurses' calling system.
(C) Blood bank refrigeration, if provided.
(D) Equipment necessary for maintaining telephone service.
(e) Circuits which serve necessary equipment. (A) Ventilation of operating rooms.
(B) Central suction systems serving medical and surgical functions.
(C) Equipment which must be kept in operation to prevent damage to the building
or its contents.
(5) Details. The emergency electrical system shall be so controlled that after
interruption of the normal electric power supply the generator is brought to full
voltage and frequency. It must be connected within ten seconds through one or
more primary automatic transfer switches to emergency lighting systems; alarm
systems; blood bank; nurses' calling systems; equipment necessary for maintaining
telephone service; and task illumination and receptacles in operating, emergency,
recovery, and other critical patient areas. All other lighting and equipment required
to be connected to the emergency system shall either be connected through the
above described primary automatic transfer switches or through other automatic or
manual transfer switches. Receptacles connected to the emergency system shall
be distinctively marked. Storage-battery-powered lights, provided to augment the
emergency lighting or for continuity of lighting during the interim of transfer
switching immediately following an interruption of the normal service supply, shall
not be used as a substitute for the requirement of a generator. Where stored fuel is
required for emergency generator operation, the storage capacity shall be sufficient
for not less than twelve hour continuous operation.
(6) Generator set locations shall be protected from the elements and against tam-
pering.
K. Fire Alarm Systems. A manually operated electrically supervised fire alarm
system shall be installed in each facility.
(c) Ownership and Administration. (1) There shall be an organized governing
authority with full legal authority and responsibility for the conduct of the surgical
facility in a manner consonant with the objective of making available high quality
patient care.
(2) Full and complete information shall be made available to the survey agency
regarding the identity of each individual, group or corporation which has an owner-
ship interest of ten percent or more in the facility.
(3) The governing authority shall have by-laws which shall identify the purposes
of the facility, and the means of attaining them, which by-laws shall be dated,
signed, and indicate periodic review and revision. These shall be available to all
members of the governing body and all individuals to whom authority is delegated.
(4) These governing authority by-laws shall as a minimum contain: (A) A delinea-
tion of the powers and duties of the officers, committees of the governing body and
the chief executive officer.
Sec. 19-13-D page 146 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D56
(B) The qualifications for membership, the method of selection and the terms of
office of members and chairmen of committees.
(C) A description of the authority delegated to the chief of medical staff or clinical
director and the medical staff as a whole.
(D) A mechanism for approval of the appointments and annual reappointments
of the members of the medical-surgical staff recommended by the medical-surgical
staff to the governing body.
(E) A mechanism for the delineation and control of medical-surgical privileges
and anesthesia privileges of members of the medical-surgical staff recommended
by the medical-surgical staff to the governing body. This shall be based upon
background, experience and demonstrated competence, adherence to the ethics of
the profession and appropriate physical and mental health.
(5) The governing body shall approve the medical staff by-laws, its organizational
structure and all rules and regulations.
(6) The governing body shall demonstrate an interest and understanding of the
activities of the surgicenter: Fiscal; building and maintenance; and clinical.
(7) (A) The governing body shall have regular meetings, not less than four times
a year and so often as its responsibilities require.
(B) The minutes of the governing body meetings will be recorded, dated, approved
and signed.
(d) Chief Executive Officer. (1) The governing body shall appoint a chief execu-
tive officer or administrator of the surgicenter who shall be qualified by education
and experience appropriate to the discharge of his responsibilities.
(2) He shall be accountable to the governing body for his actions.
(3) His duties shall include the overall management of the operations of the
facility, including the liaison and coordination of activities between the governing
body and the medical and nursing staff.
(4) He shall be a member of the governing body and shall attend all meetings of
the governing body and medical staff.
(e) Professional Staff. (1) Clinical Director. (A) The governing body shall appoint
a clinical director, or chief of staff, accountable to it for his actions.
(B) He shall be qualified by training, demonstrated competence and judgment to
manage the medical functions of the staff.
(C) He shall be delegated the authority to control the quality of medical-surgical
care provided and to assure the effective discharge of the quality control review
function of medical care.
(D) The members of the professional staff of the facility shall meet the require-
ments of Section 20-9 of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding who may
practice medicine and surgery.
(E) Shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties assigned.
(F) Shall also have privileges in a hospital licensed in Connecticut to perform
the duty or procedure which will be done at the surgicenter.
(2) All appointments, reappointments and privileges will be granted by the govern-
ing body with recommendations from the medical staff.
(3) All appointments, reappointments and specific privileges granted to the medi-
cal-surgical staff will be recorded in the minutes of meetings of the governing body
or of the medical staff and filed in the doctor's medical profile with an agreement
signed by the physician to abide by the hospital by-laws, medical staff by-laws and
rules and regulations.
Sec. 19-13-D page 147 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D56
(4) The medical staff shall develop medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations
to govern its organization and conduct, which shall include, but not be limited to
the following:
(A) The officers of the medical staff, their duties, the qualifications for office,
the term of office, the method of selection;
(B) The basis on which recommendations will be made to the governing body
regarding the appointments, reappointments and the privileges of staff members;
(C) The committee structure of the medical staff;
(D) The mechanism by which medical care will be assessed including the develop-
ment and implementation of a medical care evaluation program. In accordance with
the current requirements of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and
the Professional Standards Review Organization in which:
(a) Standards, norms, and criteria for care are developed for problems or dis-
ease categories.
(b) The actual care provided is measured against these standards, norms and
criteria in a study of patterns of care for these specific problems or disease entities.
(c) A judgment or evaluation is made in the medical evaluation or audit procedure.
(d) Appropriate action, as indicated, is taken and documented for observed varia-
tions and deficiencies in care as determined by the audit process.
(e) The review to determine the appropriate utilization of facilities and equipment.
(f) The development of a program to control facility associated infections.
(g) The development of a program to control the distribution and use of drugs
and therapeutics; in accordance with the requirements of the State Department of
Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division, and all applicable state and federal
drug laws and regulations.
(h) Requirements assuring that medical records shall be prepared and adequately
maintained on each patient so as to explain and justify treatment and outcome.
(5) There shall be regular meetings of the medical-surgical staff with required
attendance, except with appropriate justification of all physicians given privileges
in the unit. The minutes of these meetings shall be recorded and shall reflect concern
with the clinical care provided.
(6) At all times that there are patients in the unit there shall be a licensed physician
on the premises.
(7) (A) The professional medical, surgical and nursing staff shall develop policies
and procedures to assure high standards of professional practice on the unit. These
shall be adopted, approved, placed in a manual made readily available for use by
all professional staff and reviewed at least once a year, and as indicated, and revised
as indicated.
(B) Specific policies and/or procedures shall include, but not be limited to the
following areas:
(a) Requirement for, and necessary elements of, the pre-operative evaluation
of the physical condition of all patients by a physician within a specific period
before admission;
(b) The necessary pre and postoperative tests;
(c) The categories of acceptable admission diagnoses and unacceptable admis-
sion diagnoses;
(d) Operating hours, method of selection of patients relative to age, sex, physi-
cal status;
(e) Requirements for written pre-operative and postoperative instructions to be
explained to patients;
Sec. 19-13-D page 148 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D56
(f) Requirements for valid operative permits and signed informed consent forms;
(g) Operative procedures to be permitted and operative procedures to be excluded;
(h) Types of anesthesia that may be employed for specific procedures;
(i) Policies regarding use of laboratory tests, detection tests, treatment modalities
and protective measures;
(j) Guidelines covering emergency care;
(k) Requirements that patients' status shall be deemed appropriate prior to dis-
charge as regards vital signs, voiding, temperature and other significant elements;
(l) Requirement that each patient is to have a responsible person available to
accompany him or her on discharge unless otherwise authorized by a physician;
(m) Required policies relating to quality control, which include review and evalua-
tion of surgical, anesthesiology and nursing practice as well as case review and
review of patterns of care;
(n) A requirement that all tissue removed at surgery shall be submitted to a
qualified licensed pathologist. Examinations will be performed on these tissues
according to an established procedure approved by the pathologist and the medical
director. The disposition of the tissue or the pathological report shall be appended
to the patient record;
(o) Establishment of written agreements with hospital(s) in the immediate vicinity
in the event it becomes necessary to transfer a patient(s);
(p) Policies regarding prevention and control of infections among patients and
staffs;
(q) Appropriate referral and follow-up on patients and cooperative arrangements
with referring physicians.
(8) Laboratory and Radiology. (A) Laboratory work performed shall be under
the supervision of a qualified licensed pathologist, or shall be done by a licensed labo-
ratory.
(B) A qualified licensed radiologist shall supervise all radiological procedures.
(9) Anesthesia Services. The anesthesia services of the unit shall be under the
supervision of a qualified anesthesiologist who shall be delegated the authority to:
(A) Oversee the quality of anesthesia care provided by anesthesia personnel
employed by the unit;
(B) Assure the availability and proper functioning of such equipment as is neces-
sary to administer anesthesia, and to provide necessary resuscitative measures includ-
ing emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
(C) Develop regulations to assure anesthetic safety and recovery room patient
support;
(D) Administer a retrospective review of all anesthesia care. The anesthesiologist
in charge shall have a major role in the development of policies and procedures to
assure the satisfactory preanesthetic status of patients, including the decision regard-
ing choice of anesthesia, preoperative medication, postoperative recovery room
supervision, and suitable discharge status.
(f) Records and Reports. (1) There shall be adequate provision for the retention
and storage of all clinical records which shall ensure the safety of such records and
the confidentiality of the information contained therein.
(2) Adequate space and equipment shall be provided for record keeping.
(3) A clinical record shall be started for each patient at the time of admission to
the unit to include all appropriate and proper identifying data. Each patient's record
shall contain sufficient information to justify the diagnosis and warrant the treatment
Sec. 19-13-D page 149 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D56
given or services provided. Each entry in the record shall be signed by the person
responsible for it immediately after service is rendered.
(4) All records shall be maintained in a safe manner for a minimum of five years
following the discharge of the patient.
(5) The unit shall collect, retrieve and summarize data relating to program evalua-
tion and in planning to meet needs of patients. This data should include at least the
following: Total number of visits; number of patients seen; diagnosis; types and
numbers of operative procedures performed; age distribution of patients; death and
other untoward accidents or incidents. This report to be prepared on an annual basis
and be available for review by the state department of health.
(6) There shall he an anesthesia record for each patient who receives anesthesia
on the unit. This shall become a part of the medical record and shall include patient
identification data, dosage and duration of anesthesia, a record of administration of
other drugs or therapeutics.
(g) Nursing Staff. (1) There shall be appointed as supervisor of the unit a
registered nurse with a current license to practice in Connecticut. She/he should
have special education and experience in operating and recovery room care. Qualifi-
cations of the supervisor and other personnel shall be verified in the form of listing
current license numbers and in written job descriptions.
(2) If the unit is opened for a period of time beyond the normal work week of
the R.N. supervisor and/or in her absence, an additionally qualified person shall be
available to be responsible for nursing services in the unit at these times.
(3) In addition to the supervisor there shall be additional licensed nurses with
special training in surgery and recovery room care available. These additional
personnel may serve as assistant or backup personnel under the direct supervision
of a qualified registered nurse. A minimum of one registered nurse, in addition to
the supervisor must be available at all times when there are patients in the unit.
The minimum staffing ratio shall be such as to assure the provision of sufficient
and adequate nursing care for the comfort, safety and welfare of all patients.
(h) Additional Personnel. (1) All housekeeping and cleaning staff shall have
and receive special training to ensure that technical procedures used in cleaning and
housecleaning are developed and implemented to protect patients' health and safety.
(2) There shall be either available on staff or arrangements made for, the assistance
of social workers, dietitians, psychologicals and other professional staff as deemed
necessary for the care of the patient.
(i) General. (1) There shall be job descriptions indicating qualifications, training
and/or past experience and responsibilities relating to the care of patients and/or
equipment used in units for all personnel.
(2) There shall be a program of continuing staff education provided on a regularly
scheduled basis in order to maintain and improve skills.
(3) There shall be appropriate sterilizing equipment of steam pressure type avail-
able. The size of the equipment shall be dependent upon the amount of pre-sterilized
disposable equipment used in the unit.
(4) There shall be emergency equipment and drugs for resuscitation and defibril-
lation.
(5) The management, operation, personnel, equipment, facilities, sanitation and
maintenance of the unit shall be such as reasonably to ensure the health and safety
of public patients and staff at all times.
(6) Written fire and disaster plans shall be formulated and posted in a conspicu-
ous location.
Sec. 19-13-D page 150 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D56
(j) Disaster Plan. The surgical unit shall develop a plan to cope with internal
disasters including fire and loss of power. This plan shall include:
(1) The assignment of personnel to specific duties;
(2) Instruction in use of fire alarms, fire equipment and systems for notification
of key personnel;
(3) Instructions in methods of fire containment;
(4) Procedures for evacuation of patients. Fire disaster drills shall be held at
regular intervals, not less than quarterly including evacuation procedures to assure
the effectiveness of these plans.
(k) Inspection and Licensure.The ambulatory surgical facility shall be inspected
annually by the state department of health to test for ongoing compliance with
these regulations.
(Effective April 22, 1977)
Sec. 19-13-D57.
Repealed, August 20, 1982.
Secs. 19-13-D58Ð19-13-D59. Reserved
Public Health Nursing Grants to Towns Having
Population of Less Than Five Thousand
Secs. 19-13-D60Ð19-13-D64.
Repealed, March 5, 1998.
Home Health Care Agency
Sec. 19-13-D65. Reserved
Licensure of Home Health Care Agencies
Sec. 19-13-D66. Definitions
As used in Sections 19-13-D66 to 19-13-D79 inclusive:
(a) ``Agency'' means home health care agency as defined in Section 19a-490
(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(b) ``Central Office'' means the agency office responsible and accountable for
all agency operations in this state;
(c) ``Clinical experience'' means employment in providing patient services in a
health care setting;
(d) ``Commissioner'' means the commissioner of health services, or his/her repre-
sentative;
(e) ``Contracted services'' or ``services under arrangement'' means services pro-
vided by the agency which are subject to a written agreement with an individual,
another agency or another facility;
(f) ``Contractor'' means any organization, individual or home health care agency
that provides services to patients of a primary agency as defined in paragraph (cc)
of Section 19-13-D66 of these regulations;
(g) ``Chiropractor'' means a person possessing a license to practice chiropractic
in this state;
(h) ``Curriculum'' means the plan of classroom and clinical instructions for
training and skills assessment as a homemaker-home health aide;
Sec. 19-13-D page 151 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D66
(i) ``Dentist'' means a person licensed to practice dentistry in this state;
(j) ``Department'' means the Connecticut Department of Health Services;
(k) ``Direct service staff'' means individuals employed by the agency or under
contract whose primary responsibility is delivery of care to patients;
(l) ``Evening or nighttime service'' means service provided between the hours
of 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.;
(m) ``Full-time'' means employed and on duty a minimum of thirty-five (35)
hours per workweek on a regular basis;
(n) ``Full-time equivalent'' means the total weekly hours of work of all persons
in each category of direct service staff divided by the number of hours in the
agency's standard workweek. Full-time equivalents are computed for each category
of direct service staff;
(o) ``Holiday service'' means service provided on the days specified in the
agency's official personnel policies as holidays;
(p) ``Homemaker-home health aide'' means an unlicensed person who has suc-
cessfully completed a training and competency evaluation program for the prepara-
tion of homemaker-home health aides approved by the department;
(q) ``Licensed practical nurse'' means a person with a license to practice practical
nursing in this state;
(r) ``Non-visiting program'' means services of the agency provided in sites other
than a patient's home;
(s) ``Occupational therapist'' means a person with a license to practice occupa-
tional therapy in this state;
(t) ``Occupational therapy assistant'' means a person who has successfully com-
pleted a training program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Associa-
tion and is currently certified by the said association;
(u) ``Patient care services'' mean agency activities carried out by agency staff
for or on behalf of a patient. Such services include, but are not limited to, receipt
of referral for service, admission to service, assignment of personnel, direct patient
care, communication/coordination with source of medical care and development/
maintenance of patient's clinical record;
(v) ``Patient service office'' means one or more separate and distinct offices
which provide patient care services and are included under the agency's license.
This office shall comply with the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Section
19-13-D77;
(w) ``Peer consultation'' means a process by which professionals of the same
discipline, who meet supervisory qualifications, meet regularly to review patient
management, share expertise and take responsibility for their own and each other's
professional development and maintenance of standards of service;
(x) ``Permanent part-time'' means employed and on duty a minimum of twenty
(20) hours per workweek on a regular basis;
(y) ``Pharmacist'' means a person licensed to practice pharmacy in this state;
(z) ``Physical therapy assistant'' means a person who has successfully completed
an education program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association;
(aa) ``Physician'' means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed either in
Connecticut or in a state which borders Connecticut;
(bb) ``Podiatrist'' means a person licensed to practice podiatry in this state;
(cc) ``Primary agency'' means a home health care agency which hires or pays
for the services of other organizations, agencies or individuals who provide care or
services to its patients;
Sec. 19-13-D page 152 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D66
(dd) ``Primary care nurse'' means a registered nurse licensed to practice nursing
in this state who is the agency employee assigned primary responsibility for planning
and implementing the patient's care;
(ee) ``Public health nurse'' means a graduate of a baccalaureate degree program
in nursing approved by the National League for Nursing for preparation in public
health nursing;
(ff) ``Quality care'' means that the patients receive clinically competent care
which meets professional standards, are supported and directed in a planned pattern
toward mutually defined outcomes, achieve maximum recovery consistent with
individual potential and life style, obtain coordinated service through each level of
care and are taught self-management and preventive health measures;
(gg) ``Registered nurse'' means a person with a license to practice as a registered
nurse in this state;
(hh) ``Registered physical therapist'' means a person with a license to practice
physical therapy in this state;
(ii) ``Related community health program'' means an organized program which
provides health services to persons in a community setting;
(jj) ``Representative'' means a designated member of the patient's family, or
person legally designated to act for the patient in the exercise of the patient's rights
as contained in Sections 19-13-D66 to 19-13-D79 of the regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies.
(kk) ``Social work assistant'' means a person who holds a baccalaureate degree
in social work with at least one (1) year of social work experience; or a baccalaureate
degree in a field related to social work with at least two (2) years of social work expe-
rience;
(ll) ``Social worker'' means a graduate of a master's degree program in social
work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
(mm) ``Speech Pathologist'' means a person with a license to practice speech
pathology in this state;
(nn) ``Subdivision'' means a unit of a multifunction health care organization
which is assigned the primary authority and responsibility for the agency operations.
A subdivision shall independently meet the regulations and standards for licensure
and shall be independently licensed as a home health care agency;
(oo) ``Therapy services'' means physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech
pathology services;
(pp) ``Weekend service'' means services provided on Saturday or Sunday.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D67. Personnel
(a) The administrator of an agency shall be a person with one of the following:
(1) A master's degree in nursing with an active license to practice nursing in
this state and at least one (1) year of supervisory or administrative experience in a
health care facility program which included care of the sick; or
(2) A master's degree in public health or administration with a concentration of
study in health services administration, and at least one (1) year of supervisory or
administrative experience in a health care facility/program which included care of
the sick; or
(3) A baccalaureate degree in nursing with an active license to practice nursing
in this state and at least two (2) years supervisory or administrative experience in
a health care facility/program which included care of the sick; or
Sec. 19-13-D page 153 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D67
(4) A baccalaureate degree in administration with a concentration of study in
health services administration and at least two (2) years' supervisory or administra-
tive experience in a health care facility/program which included care of the sick; or
(5) A physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Connecti-
cut who has had at least one (1) year supervisory or administrative experience in
a health care facility/program which included care of the sick; or
(6) Employment as the administrator of a home health care agency in this state
as of January 1, 1981, who has been so employed continuously for the five (5)
years immediately preceeding January 1, 1981; or
(7) Continuous employment as an administrator of a home health care agency
as of January 1, 1979; except that on and after January 1, 1986, no person shall be
employed as an administrator of a home health care agency pursuant to this subdivi-
sion unless such person additionally meets one of the requirements of subparagraphs
(1) through (5) inclusive above.
(b) An agency supervisor of clinical services shall be a registered nurse with an
active license to practice nursing in this state, and shall have one of the following:
(1) A master's degree from a program approved by the National League for
Nursing or the American Public Health Association with a minimum of one year
(1) full-time clinical experience in a home health agency or related community
health program which included care of the sick at home; or
(2) A baccalaureate degree in nursing and a minimum of three (3) years of full-
time clinical experience in nursing, at least (1) one of which was in a home health
agency or community health program which included care of the sick at home; or
(3) A registered nurse who has been continuously employed in the position of
supervisor of clinical services in a home health agency in this state since January
1, 1979; or
(4) A diploma in nursing or an associates degree in nursing and
(A) A minimum of three years of full-time or full-time equivalent clinical experi-
ence in nursing within the past five years, at least one year of which was in a home
health care agency or community health program which included care of the sick
at home; and
(B) Evidence of certification by the American Nurses' Association as a community
health nurse or completion of at least six credits received within two years in
community health nursing theory or six credits in health care management from an
accredited college or university program or school of nursing.
(c) An agency supervisor of physical therapy services shall be a registered physi-
cal therapist licensed to practice physical therapy in this state who has a minimum
of three (3) years' clinical experience in physical therapy.
(d) An agency supervisor of occupational therapy services shall be an occupa-
tional therapist licensed to practice occupational therapy in this state who has a
minimum of three (3) years' clinical experience in occupational therapy.
(e) An agency supervisor of speech pathology services shall be a speech patholo-
gist licensed to practice speech pathology in this state who has a minimum of three
(3) years' clinical experience in speech pathology.
(f) An agency supervisor of social work services shall be a graduate of a master's
degree program in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
who has a minimum of three (3) years' clinical experience in social work.
(Effective April 24, 1989; amended August 31, 1998)
Sec. 19-13-D page 154 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D68
Sec. 19-13-D68. General requirements
An agency shall be organized and staffed in compliance with the following:
(a) The agency shall be governed by a governing authority, maintain an active
professional advisory committee, be directed by an administrator and operate any
services offered in compliance with these regulations. Compliance with these regula-
tions shall be the joint and several responsibility of the governing authority and
the administrator.
(b) Governing Authority:
(1) There shall be a formal governing authority with full legal authority and
responsibility for the operation of the agency which shall adopt bylaws or rules that
are periodically reviewed and so dated. Such bylaws or rules shall include, but are
not limited to:
(A) Purposes of the agency;
(B) Delineation of the powers, duties and voting procedures of the governing
authority, its officers and committees;
(C) Qualifications for membership, method of selection and terms of office of
members and chairpersons of committees;
(D) A description of the authority delegated to the administrator;
(E) The agency's conflict of interest policy and procedures.
(2) The bylaws or rules shall be available to all members of the governing
authority and all individuals to whom authority is delegated.
(3) The governing authority shall:
(A) Meet as frequently as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities as stated in these
regulations, but no less than one (1) time per year;
(B) Provide a written agenda and minutes for each meeting;
(C) Provide that minutes reflect the identity of those members in attendance and
that, following approval, such minutes be dated and signed by the secretary;
Ensure that the agenda and minutes of any of its meetings or any of its committees
are available at any time to the commissioner.
(4) Responsibilities of the governing authority include, but are not limited to:
(A) Services provided by the agency and the quality of care rendered to patients
and their families;
(B) Selection and appointment of a professional advisory committee;
(C) Policy and program determination and delegation of authority to implement
policies and programs;
(D) Appointment of a qualified administrator;
(E) Management of the fiscal affairs of the agency;
(F) The quality assurance program.
(5) The governing authority shall ensure that:
(A) The name and address of each officer and member of the governing authority
are reported to the commissioner annually;
(B) The name and address of each owner and, if the agency is a corporation, all
ownership interests of ten percent (10%) or more (direct or indirect) are reported
to the commissioner annually;
(C) Any change in ownership is reported to the commissioner within ninety
(90) days;
(D) The name of the administrator of the agency is forwarded to the commissioner
within three (3) days of his/her appointment and notice that the administrator has
left for any reason is so forwarded within forty-eight (48) hours.
(c) Professional Advisory Committee:
Sec. 19-13-D page 155 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D68
(1) There shall be a professional advisory committee, appointed by the governing
authority, consisting of at least one physician, one public health nurse, one therapist
representing at least one of the skilled therapy services provided by the agency and
one social worker. Representatives appointed to the professional advisory committee
shall be in active practice in their professions, or shall have been in active practice
within the last five (5) years. No member of the professional advisory committee
shall be an owner, stockholder, employee of the agency, or related to same, including
by marriage. However, provision may be made for employees to serve on the
professional advisory committee as ex officio members only, without voting power.
(2) The functions of the professional advisory committee shall be to participate
in the agency's quality assurance program to the extent defined in the quality
assurance program policies and to recommend and at least annually review agency
policies on:
(A) Scope of services offered;
(B) Admission and discharge criteria;
(C) Medical and dental supervision and plans of treatment;
(D) Clinical records;
(E) Personnel qualifications;
(F) Quality assurance activities;
(G) Standards of care;
(H) Professional issues especially as they relate to the delivery of service and
findings of the quality assurance program.
(3) The professional advisory committee shall hold at least two (2) meetings
annually.
(4) Written minutes shall document dates of meetings, attendance, agenda and
recommendations. The minutes shall be presented, read and accepted at the next
regular meeting of the governing authority of the agency following the professional
advisory committee meeting. These minutes shall be available at any time to the com-
missioner.
(d) Administrator:
(1) There shall be a full-time agency administrator appointed by the governing
authority of the agency.
(2) The administrator shall have full authority and responsibility delegated by
the governing authority to plan, staff, direct and implement the programs and manage
the affairs of the agency. The administrator's responsibilities include, but are not
limited to:
(A) Interpretation and execution of the policies of the governing authority;
(B) Program planning, budgeting, management and evaluation based upon
(C) Maintenance of ongoing liaison among the governing authority, its commit-
tees, the professional advisory committee and staff;
(D) Employment of qualified personnel, evaluation of staff performance per
agency policy, provision of planned orientation and inservice education programs
for agency personnel;
(E) Development of a record system and statistical reporting system for program
documentation, planning and evaluation, which includes at least the data specified
in these regulations;
(F) Preparation of a budget for the approval of the governing authority and
implementation of financial policies, accounting system and cost controls;
(G) Assurance of an accurate public information system;
Sec. 19-13-D page 156 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D68
(H) Maintenance of the agency's compliance with licensure regulations and
standards;
(I) Distribution of a written plan for the delegation of administrative responsibili-
ties and functions in the absence of the administrator.
(3) An administrator's absence of longer than one month shall be reported to
the commissioner.
(e) Supervisor of Clinical Services;
(1) An agency shall employ one full-time supervisor of clinical services for each
fifteen (15), or less, full-time or full-time equivalent professional direct service staff.
(2) The supervisor of clinical services shall have primary authority and responsi-
bility for maintaining the quality of clinical services.
(3) The supervisor's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
(A) Coordination and management of all services rendered to patients and families
by direct service staff under his/her supervision;
(B) Supervision of assigned nursing personnel in the delivery of nursing services
to patients and families;
(C) Direct evaluation of the clinical competence of assigned nursing personnel
and participation with appropriate supervisory staff in the evaluation of other direct
service staff;
(D) Participation in or development of all agency objectives, standards of care,
policies and procedures affecting clinical services;
(E) Participation in direct services staff recruitment, selection, orientation and
inservice education;
(F) Participation in program planning, budgeting and evaluation activities related
to the clinical services of the agency.
(4) The supervisor of clinical services may also serve as the administrator in
agencies with six (6) or less full-time or full-time equivalent professional direct
service staff.
(5) Any absence of the supervisor of clinical services for longer than one month
must be reported to the commissioner. A registered nurse who has at least two (2)
years' experience in a home health care agency, shall be designated, in writing, to
act during any absence of the supervisor of clinical services whenever patient care
personnel are serving patients.
(Effective June 21, 1983)
Sec. 19-13-D69. Services
Services offered by the agency shall comply with the following.
(a) Nursing Service:
(1) An agency shall have written policies governing the delivery of nursing service.
(2) Nursing service shall be provided by a primary care nurse, or other nursing
staff delegated by the primary care nurse.
(3) The primary care nurse is responsible for the following which shall be docu-
mented in the patient's clinical record:
(A) Admission of patients for service and development of the patient care plan;
(B) Implementation or delegation of responsibility for twenty-four (24) hour
nursing service and homemaker-home health aide services;
(C) Coordination of services with the patient, family and others involved in the
care plan;
(D) Regular evaluation of patient progress, prompt action when any change in
the patient's condition is noted or reported, and termination of care when goals of
management are attained;
Sec. 19-13-D page 157 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D69
(E) Identification of patient and family needs for other home health services and
referral for same when appropriate,
(F) Participation in orientation, teaching and supervision of other nursing and
ancillary patient care staff;
(G) Determination of aspects of the care plan for delegation to a homemaker-
home health aide. Whenever any patient care activity, other than those activities
listed in section 19-13-D69 (d) (3) of these regulations, is delegated to a homemaker-
home health aide, the patient's clinical record clearly supports that the primary care
nurse or designated professional staff member has:
(i) Assessed all factors pertinent to the patient's safety including the competence
of the homemaker-home health aide, and
(ii) Determined that this activity can be delegated safely to a homemaker-home
health aide.
(H) Development of a written plan of care and instructions for homemaker-home
health aide services;
(I) Arranging supervision of the homemaker-home health aide by other therapists,
when necessary
(J) Visiting and completing an assessment of assigned patients receiving home-
maker-home health aide services as often as necessary based on the patient's condi-
tion, but not less frequently than every sixty (60) days. The sixty-day assessment
shall be completed by a registered nurse, while the homemaker-home health aide
is providing services in the patient's home.
(4) An agency may employ licensed practical nurses under the direction of a
registered nurse to provide nursing care, to assist the patient in learning self-care
techniques and to prepare clinical and progress notes.
(b) Therapy Services:
(1) An agency shall have written policies governing the delivery of therapy
services.
(2) All therapy services shall be provided by or under the supervision of a therapist
licensed to practice in Connecticut.
(3) The responsibilities of each therapist within his/her respective area of practice
include the following, which shall be documented in the patient's clinical record:
(A) Comprehensive evaluation of patient's level of function and participation in
development of the total patient care plan;
(B) Identification of patient and family needs for other home health services and
referral for same when needed;
(C) Participation in case management conferences;
(D) Instruction of patient, family and other agency health care personnel in the
patient's treatment regime when indicated;
(E) Supervision of therapy assistants; and
(F) Supervision of homemaker-home health aides when such personnel are partici-
pating in the patient's therapy regime.
(4) A therapy supervisor shall be provided for each therapy service, except when
therapy staff meet supervisory requirements. In such event, the agency shall provide
peer consultation for that therapy staff.
(A) Each supervisor shall be employed directly by the agency, or as a contractor.
(B) When the direct service therapy staff is five (5) full-time or full-time equivalent
persons, the agency shall provide a full-time supervisor for that therapy staff. The
number of staff assigned to a supervisor shall not exceed fifteen (15) full-time or
full-time equivalent staff.
Sec. 19-13-D page 158 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D69
(5) Physical or occupational therapy assistants who function at all times under
the direction of a registered physical therapist or occupational therapist, as appro-
priate, may be employed to carry out treatment regimes as assigned by the registered
physical therapist or occupational therapist. The agency shall employ at least one
(1) registered physical therapist or occupational therapist for every six (6) assistants
or less.
(A) The responsibilities of the therapy assistant may include but not necessarily
be limited to the following:
(i) After an initial visit has been made by the registered physical therapist or
occupational therapist for evaluation of the patient and establishment of a patient
care plan, the therapy assistant may provide ongoing therapy services in accordance
with the established plan.
(ii) At least every thirty (30) days, the therapy assistant shall confer with the
registered physical therapist or occupational therapist. The conference shall be
documented in the patient's clinical record, and shall include a review of the current
patient care plan and any appropriate modifications to the treatment regime.
(iii) The therapy assistant, with prior approval of the registered physical therapist
or occupational therapist, may adjust a specific treatment regime in accordance with
changes in the patient's status.
(iv) The therapy assistant may contribute to the review of the medical or dental
plan of treatment required by subsection (b) of section 19-13- D73 of the regulations
of Connecticut states agencies, pre-discharge planning and preparation of the dis-
charge summary.
(B) A registered physical therapist or occupational therapist shall be accessible
by phone and available to make a home visit at all times when the therapy assistant
is on assignment in a patient's home.
(c) Social Work Services:
(1) An agency shall have written policies governing the delivery of social
work services.
(2) All social work services shall be provided by or under the supervision of a
qualified social worker.
(3) Functions of the social worker include the following which shall be docu-
mented in the patient's clinical record:
(A) Comprehensive evaluation of psychosocial status as related to the patient's
illness and environment;
(B) Participation in development of the total patient care plan;
(C) Participation in case conferences with the health care team;
(D) Identification of patient and family needs for other home health services and
referral for same when appropriate;
(E) Referral of patient or family to appropriate community resources.
(4) A qualified social work supervisor shall be employed directly by the agency
or as a contractor, except when social work staff meet supervisory requirements.
In such event, the agency shall provide peer consultation for social work staff.
When the direct service social work staff is five (5) full-time or full-time equivalent
persons, the agency must provide a full-time supervisor. The number of staff assigned
to a supervisor shall not exceed fifteen (15) full-time or full-time equivalent staff.
(5) Social work assistants who function at all times under the supervision of a
qualified social worker may be employed to carry out the social work activities and
assignments. The agency shall employ at least one (1) qualified social worker for
every six (6) social work assistants or less.
Sec. 19-13-D page 159 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D69
(d) Homemaker-Home Health Aide Service:
(1) An agency shall have written policies governing the delivery of homemaker-
home health aide services.
(2) On and after January 1, 1993, no person shall furnish home health aide
services on behalf of a home health care agency unless such person has successfully
completed a training and competency evaluation program approved by the
department.
(A) The commissioner shall adopt, and revise as necessary, a homemaker-home
health aide training program of not less than seventy-five (75) hours and competency
evaluation program for homemaker-home health aides. The standard curriculum of
the training program shall include the following elements which shall be presented
in both lecture and clinical settings:
(i) Communication skills;
(ii) Observation, reporting and documentation of patient status and the care or
services furnished;
(iii) Reading and recording temperature, pulse and respiration;
(iv) Basic infection control procedures;
(v) Basic elements of body function and changes in body function that must be
reported to an aide's supervisor;
(vi) Maintenance of a clean, safe and healthy environment;
(vii) Recognizing emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures;
(viii) The physical, emotional, and developmental needs of and ways to work
with the populations served by the home health care agency, including the need for
respect for the patient, his or her privacy and his or her property;
(ix) Appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming that
include: bath (bed, sponge, tub or shower), shampoo (sink, tub or bed), nail and
skin care, oral hygiene, toileting and elimination;
(x) Safe transfer techniques and ambulation;
(xi) Normal range of motion and positioning;
(xii) Adequate nutrition and fluid intake;
(xiii) Any other task that the home health care agency may choose to have the
homemaker-home health aide perform.
(B) A trainee's successful completion of training shall be demonstrated by the
trainee's performance, satisfactory to the qualified registered nurse designated in
subparagraph (I) (i) of this subdivision, of the elements required by the curriculum.
Each agency that elects to conduct a homemaker-home health aide training program
shall submit such information on its homemaker-home health aide training program
as the commissioner may require on forms provided by the department. The depart-
ment may re-evaluate the agency's homemaker-home health aide training program
and competency evaluation program for sufficiency at any time.
(C) The commissioner shall adopt, and revise as necessary, a homemaker-home
health aide competency evaluation program to include, procedures for determination
of competency which may include a standardized test. At a minimum the subject
areas listed in subparagraph (A) (iii), (ix), (x), and (xi) of this subdivision shall be
evaluated through observation of the aide's performance of the tasks. The other
subject areas in subparagraph (a) of this subdivision shall be evaluated through
written examination, oral examination or observation of a homemaker-home health
aide with a patient.
(D) A homemaker-home health aide is not considered competent in any task for
which he or she is evaluated as ``unsatisfactory.'' The homemaker-home health
Sec. 19-13-D page 160 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D69
aide must not perform that task without direct supervision by a licensed nurse until
after he or she receives training in the task for which he or she was evaluated
``unsatisfactory'' and passes a subsequent evaluation with a ``satisfactory'' rating.
(E) A homemaker-home health aide is not considered to have successfully passed
a competency evaluation if the homemaker-home health aide has an ``unsatisfactory''
rating in more than one of the required areas listed in subparagraph (A) of this subdi-
vision.
(F) The competency evaluation must be performed by a registered nurse who
possesses a minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience at least one (1) year
of which must be in the provision of home health care.
(G) The state department of education, the board of trustees of community-
technical colleges and an Adult Continuing Education Program established and
maintained under the auspices of the local or regional board of education or regional
educational service center and provided by such board or center may offer such
training programs and competency evaluation programs in accordance with this
subsection as approved by the commissioner.
(H) Home health care agencies may offer such training programs and competency
evaluation programs in accordance with this subsection provided that they have not
been determined to be out of compliance with one (1) or more of the training and
competency evaluation requirements of OBRA as amended and/or one or more
condition of participation of title 42, part 484 of the code of federal regulations
within any of the twenty-four (24) months before the training is to begin.
(I) Qualifications of homemaker-home health aide training instructors
(i) The training of homemaker-home health aides must be performed by or under
the general supervision of a registered nurse who possesses a minimum of two (2)
years of nursing experience, one (1) year of which must be in the provision of home
health care.
(ii) Personnel from the health field may serve as trainers in the homemaker-home
health aide training program under the general supervision of the qualified registered
nurse identified in subparagraph (I) (i) of this subdivision. All trainers shall be
licensed, registered and/or certified in their field.
(iii) Licensed practical nurses, under the supervision of the qualified registered
nurse designated in subparagraph (I) (i) of this subdivision may serve as trainers
in the homemaker-home health aide training program provided the licensed practical
nurse has two (2) years of nursing experience, one (1) year of experience which
must be in the provision of home health care.
(iv) The training of homemaker-home health aides may be performed under the
general supervision of the supervisor of clinical services. The supervisor of clinical
services is prohibited from performing the actual training of homemaker-home
health aides.
(J) Upon satisfactory completion of the training and competency evaluation pro-
gram the agency or educational facility identified in subparagraph (G) of this subdivi-
sion shall issue documentation of satisfactory completion, signed by the qualified
registered nurse designated in subparagraph (I) (i) of this subdivision, as evidence
of said training and competency evaluation. Said documentation shall include a
notation as to the agency or educational facility that provided the training and
competency evaluation program.
(K) On and after January 1, 1993, any home health care agency that uses home-
maker-home health aides from a placement agency or from a nursing pool shall
Sec. 19-13-D page 161 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D69
maintain sufficient documentation to demonstrate that the requirements of this
subsection are met.
(L) If, since an individual's most recent completion of a training and competency
evaluation program or competency evaluation program, there has been a continuous
period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months during none of which the individual
performed nursing or nursing related services for monetary compensation, such
individual shall complete a new competency evaluation program.
(M) Any person employed as a homemaker-home health aide prior to January
1, 1993 shall be deemed to have completed a training and competency evaluation
program pursuant to subdivision 19-13-D69 (d) (2) of the regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies.
(N) Any person who has successfully completed prior to January 1, 1993 the state-
sponsored nurse assistant training program provided through the state department of
education or through the Connecticut Board of Trustees of community-technical
colleges shall be deemed to have completed a homemaker-home health aide training
and competency evaluation program approved by the commissioner in accordance
with this subsection.
(O) Any person who completed a nurses aide training and competency evaluation
program as defined in section 19-13-D8t (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies shall be deemed to have completed a training program as required in
this subsection. Such individual shall complete a homemaker-home health aide
competency evaluation before the provision of homemaker-home health aide
services.
(P) Any person who has successfully completed a course or courses comprising
not less than seventy-five (75) hours of theoretical and clinical instruction in the
fundamental skills of nursing in a practical nursing or registered nursing education
program approved by the department with the advice and assistance of the state
board of examiners for nursing may be deemed to have completed a homemaker-
home health aide training program approved by the commissioner in accordance
with this subsection. If the curriculum meets the minimum requirements as set forth
in this subsection, such individual shall complete a homemaker-home health aide
competency evaluation before the provision of homemaker-home health aide
services.
(Q) On or after January 1, 1993 a homemaker-home health aide in another state
or territory of the United States may be deemed to have completed a training program
as required in this section provided the home health care agency has sufficient
documentation which demonstrates such individual has successfully completed a
training program in accordance with subparagraph (2) (A) of this subsection. Such
individual shall complete a homemaker-home health aide competency evaluation
before the provision of homemaker-home health aide services.
(R) The home health care agency shall maintain sufficient documentation to
demonstrate that all the requirements of this subsection are met for any individual
furnishing homemaker-home health aide services on behalf of the home health
care agency.
(S) Any person who has been deemed to have completed a homemaker-home
health aide training program in accordance with this subsection shall be provided
with ten (10) hours of orientation by the agency of employment prior to the individual
providing any homemaker-home health aide services.
(3) When designated by the supervising primary care nurse, duties of the home-
maker-home health aide may include:
Sec. 19-13-D page 162 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D69
(A) Assisting the patient with personal care activities including bathing, oral
hygiene, feeding and dressing;
(B) Assisting the patient with exercises, ambulation, transfer activities and medi-
cations that are ordinarily self administered;
(C) Performing normal household services essential to patient care at home,
including shopping, meal preparation, laundry and housecleaning.
(4) Supervision of homemaker-home health aides.
(A) A registered nurse shall be accessible by phone and available to make a
home visit at all times, including nights, weekends and holidays, when homemaker-
home health aides are on assignment in a patient's home.
(B) The primary care nurse assigned to the patient is responsible for supervision of
the services rendered to the patient and family by the homemaker-home health aide.
(C) An agency shall designate a full-time registered nurse, who may have other
responsibilities, to be responsible for supervision of the homemaker-home health
aide program and staff when that staff is twenty-four (24) or less persons, but when
the number of homemaker-home health aides employed is twenty-five (25) or more
persons, the agency shall employ a full-time supervisor whose primary responsibility
shall be management of the homemaker-home health aide program. If this supervisor
is not a registered nurse, the agency shall designate one full-time registered nurse,
who may have other responsibilities, to assist with homemaker-home health aide
program and staff supervision.
(D) An agency shall maintain at least the following staffing pattern during the
regular workweek: One (1) full-time registered nurse for every fifteen (15), or less,
full-time equivalent homemaker-home health aides on duty.
(Effective December 28, 1992; amended August 29, 1996, August 31, 1998, July 3, 2007)
Sec. 19-13-D70. Contracted services
Home health care agencies may hire other organizations, agencies or individuals
to provide services to home health care agency patients. Services provided by the
primary agency through arrangements with a contractor agency or individuals shall
be set forth in a written contract which clearly specifies:
(a) That the patient's contract for care is with the primary agency;
(b) The services to be provided by the contractor;
(c) The necessity to conform to all applicable primary agency policies, including
personnel qualifications, supervisory ratios and staffing patterns;
(d) The responsibility for participating in developing the patient care plans;
(e) The procedures for submitting clinical and progress notes, scheduling visits,
periodic patient evaluation, and determining charges and reimbursement;
(f) The procedure for annual assurance of clinical competence of all personnel
utilized under contract;
(g) A term not to exceed one year.
(Effective June 21, 1983)
Sec. 19-13-D71. Personnel policies
(a) An agency shall have written personnel policies which include but are not
limited to:
(1) Orientation policy and procedure. An agency orientation policy for all employ-
ees shall include but not be limited to review of the following:
(A) organizational structure of the agency;
(B) agency patient care policies and procedures;
(C) philosophy of patient care;
Sec. 19-13-D page 163 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D72
(D) description of client population and geographic area served;
(E) agency personnel policies and job description;
(F) applicable state and federal regulations governing the delivery of home health
care services;
(G) The orientation dates, content, and name and title of the person providing
the orientation shall be documented in the employee's personnel folder.
(2) In-service education policy which provides an annual average of at least one
(1) hour per month for each employee serving patients. The in-service education
shall include current information regarding drugs and treatments; specific service
procedures and techniques; recognized professional standards, criteria and classifica-
tion of clients served.
Agencies that employ homemaker-home health aides shall ensure that homemaker-
home health aides attend in-service sessions. The in-service education program shall
be provided under the supervision of the supervisor of clinical service or a designated
registered nurse who possesses a minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience,
at least one (1) year of which must be in the provision of home health care. On
and after January 1, 1993 any home health care agency that utilizes a homemaker-
home health aide from a placement agency or from a nursing pool shall maintain
sufficient documentation to demonstrate these requirements are met.
(3) A policy and procedure for an annual performance evaluation, which includes
a process for corrective action when an employee receives an unsatisfactory perfor-
mance evaluation;
(4) Position descriptions;
(5) Physical examination, including tuberculin test and a physician's or his/her
designee's statement that the employee is free from communicable diseases, must
be prior to assignment to patient care activities.
(b) For all employees employed directly or by contracts with individuals the
agency shall maintain individual personnel records containing at least the following:
(1) Educational preparation and work experience;
(2) Current licensure, registration or certification;
(3) Written performance evaluations;
(4) Signed contract or letter of appointment specifying conditions of employment;
(5) Record of health examinations.
(c) For persons utilized via contract with another agency, not licensed as a
home health care or homemaker-home health aide agency, the primary agency shall
maintain records containing at least:
(1) A written verification of compliance with health examination requirements
and documentation of clinical competence;
(2) Current licensure, registration or certification of each individual utilized by
the primary agency;
(3) A resume of educational preparation and work experience for each individual
utilized by the primary agency;
(4) The contract for services between the agencies.
(d) For persons utilized via contract with another licensed home health care or
homemaker-home health aide agency, the primary agency shall obtain, upon request,
records on the education, training or related work experience of such persons.
(Amended August 31, 1998)
Sec. 19-13-D72. Patient care policies
(a) General Program Policies. An agency shall have written policies governing
referrals received, admission of patients to agency services, delivery of such services
Sec. 19-13-D page 164 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D72
and discharge of patients. Such policies shall cover all services provided by the
agency, directly or under contract. A copy shall be readily available to patients and
staff and shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Conditions of Admission:
(A) An agency shall accept a plan of treatment from a chiropractor for services
within the scope of chiropractic practice as defined in Connecticut General Statutes
Sec. 20-28, and an agency shall accept a plan of treatment from a podiatrist for
service within the scope of podiatry practice as defined in Connecticut General
Statutes Sec. 20-50. The agency shall have policies governing delivery of these
services. Said policies shall conform to all applicable sections of these regulations;
(B) A home assessment by the primary care nurse or, when delegated by the
supervisor of clinical services, by other professional staff, to determine that the
patient can be cared for safely in the home;
(C) The scope of agency, patient and, when appropriate, family and/or other
participation in the home health services to be provided;
(D) Circumstances which render a patient ineligible for agency services, including
but not limited to level of care needs which make care at home unsafe, kinds of
treatments agency will not accept, payment policy and limitations on condition of
admission, if any;
(E) Plan for referral of patients not accepted for care;
(F) Any delay in the start of service shall require prior notification to the patient.
Such notification shall include the anticipated start of service date and the agency's
plan while the patient is on the waiting list;
(G) The policies define agency responsibility, plan and procedures to be followed
to assure patient safety in the event patient services are interrupted for any reason.
(2) Delivery of Services:
(A) Review of Patient Care Plans;
(B) Case management and monitoring at regular intervals based upon the patient's
condition, but at least every sixty (60) days. The patient, family, physician or dentist
and all agency staff serving the patient shall participate in case management;
(C) Summary reports to patient's physician or dentist of skilled services provided
to patient, which shall be forwarded within ten (10) days of admission and at least
every sixty (60) days thereafter;
(D) Coordination of agency services with all other facilities or agencies actively
involved in patient's care;
(E) Referral to appropriate agencies or sources of service for patients who have
need of care not provided by the agency;
(F) Emergency plan and procedures to be followed to assure patient safety in
the event agency services are disrupted due to civil or natural disturbances, e.g.,
hurricanes, snowstorms, etc.
(3) Discharge from Service:
(A) Agency policies shall define categories for discharge of patients. These
categories shall include but not be limited to:
(i) Routine discharge - termination of service(s) when goals of care have been
met and patient no longer requires home health care services;
(ii) Emergency discharge - termination of service(s) due to the presence of safety
issues which place the patient and/or agency staff in immediate jeopardy and prevent
the agency from delivering home health care services;
(iii) Premature discharge - termination of service(s) when goals of care have not
been met and patient continues to require home health care services;
Sec. 19-13-D page 165 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D72
(iv) Financial discharge - termination of service(s) when the patient's insurance
benefits and/or financial resources have been exhausted.
(B) In the case of a routine discharge the agency shall provide:
(i) pre-discharge planning by the primary care nurse, attending physician, or
dentist and other agency staff involved in patient's care, which shall be documented
in patient's clinical record;
(ii) A procedure through which the patient's physician or dentist is notified each
time one or more services are terminated, and when the patient is discharged.
(C) In the case of an emergency discharge the agency shall immediately take all
measures deemed appropriate to the situation to ensure patient safety. In addition,
the agency shall immediately notify the patient, the patient's physician, and any
other persons or agencies involved in the provision of home health care services.
Written notification of action taken, including date and reason for emergency dis-
charge, shall be forwarded to the patient and/or family, patient's physician, and any
other agencies involved in the provision of home health care services within five
(5) calendar days.
(D) In the case of a premature discharge the agency shall document that prior
to the decision to discharge a case review was conducted which included patient
care staff, supervisory and administrative staff, patient's physician, patient and/or
patient representative, and representation from any other agencies involved in the
plan of care.
(i) Decision to continue service:
If the decision of the case review is to continue to provide service, a written
agreement shall be developed between the agency and the patient or his/her represen-
tative to identify the responsibilities of both in the continued delivery of care for
the patient. This agreement shall be signed by the agency administrator and the
patient or his representative. A copy shall be placed in the patient's clinical record
with copies sent to the patient and his or her physician.
(ii) Decision to discharge from service:
If the case review results in an administrative decision to discharge the patient
from agency services, the administrator shall notify the patient and/or family and
the patient's physician that services shall be discontinued in ten (10) days and the
patient shall be discharged from the agency. Services shall continue in accordance
with the patient's plan of care to ensure patient safety until the effective day of
discharge. The agency shall inform the patient of other resources available to provide
health care services.
(E) In the case of a financial discharge the agency shall conduct a:
(i) Pre-termination Review: Whenever one or more home health services are to
be terminated because of exhaustion of insurance benefits or financial resources, at
least ten (10) days prior to such termination there shall be a review of need for
continuing home health care by the patient, his family, the supervisor of clinical
services, the patient's physician or dentist, primary care nurse and other staff involved
in the patient's care. This determination and, when indicated, the plan developed
for continuing care shall be documented in the patient's clinical record.
(ii) Post-termination Review: The clinical records of each patient discharged
because of exhaustion of insurance benefits or financial resources shall be reviewed
by the professional advisory committee or the clinical record review committee at
the next regularly scheduled meeting following the discharge. The committee
reviewing the record shall ensure that adequate post-discharge plans have been made
for any patient with continuing home health care needs.
Sec. 19-13-D page 166 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D72
(b) Patient Care Standards:
(1) Infusion therapy may be provided to patients of a home health care agency
provided services exclude the administration of blood and blood products and a
program to monitor the effectiveness and safety of the infusion therapy is developed
and implemented.
(A) Definitions
(i) ``Infusion therapy'' means intravenous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, epidural
or intrathecal administration of medications, or solutions excluding blood or
blood products.
(ii) ``Care partner'' means a person who demonstrates the ability and willingness
to learn maintenance of infusion therapy and who, if not residing with the patient,
is readily available to the patient on a twenty four (24) hour basis.
(B) Licensed registered nursing staff who are trained to perform infusion therapy
shall be responsible for:
(i) Insertion or removal of a peripherally inserted central catheter (picc), upon
the written order of a physician, provided the registered nurse has had appropriate
training and experience in such procedures; and
(ii) Delivering of infusion therapy via existing epidural, intraperitoneal and
intrathecal lines, monitoring, care of access site and recording of pertinent events
and observations in the patient's clinical record.
(C) Licensed nursing staff trained in infusion therapy shall be responsible for:
(i) Performing a venipuncture for the delivery of intravenous fluids via a needle
or intracath;
(ii) Withdrawal of blood from applicable infusion mechanisms for laboratory
analysis; and
(iii) Delivering intravenous therapy via existing lines, monitoring, care of access
site and recording pertinent events and observations in the patient's clinical record.
(D) Only a physician shall insert and remove central venous lines, epidural,
intraperitoneal and intrathecal lines except as permitted in section (b) (1) (B) (i).
(E) A program to monitor the effectiveness and safety of the agency's infusion
therapy services shall be developed, implemented and monitored.
(F) Infusion therapy services shall be provided in accordance with agency protocol,
and practitioners orders and current standards of professional practice.
(G) Policies and procedures for infusion therapy shall be developed and imple-
mented to address:
(i) Timely initiation and administration of infusion therapy;
(ii) Scope of infusion therapy services, therapeutic agents, staff credentials and
training necessary to perform infusion therapy;
(iii) Training of patient or care partner to perform infusion therapy;
(iv) Infusion therapy orders, which shall include, type of access, drug, dosage, rate
and duration of therapy, frequency of administration, type and amount of solution;
(v) Documentation of infusion therapy services in the patient's clinical record; and
(vi) Adverse reactions and side effects of infusion therapy.
(H) Current reference materials shall be available for staff relevant to infusion
therapy services rendered by the agency.
(2) Hospice services delivered in a patient's home may be provided only by a
home health care agency licensed pursuant to Section 19a-491 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, with the approval of the Commissioner of Public Health. An
agency shall make application for the provision of hospice services on forms provided
by the Department of Public Health. Prior to the provision of hospice services, the
Sec. 19-13-D page 167 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D72
Commissioner shall approve an agency to provide these services, if the agency
meets all of the requirements of this subdivision, and shall note this approval on
the license of the home health care agency.
(A) Definitions
As used in Section 19-13-D72(b)(2) of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies:
(i) ``Attending Physician'' means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, licensed
pursuant to Chapter 370 or 371 of the Connecticut General Statutes, or licensed in
a state which borders Connecticut, who is identified by the patient at the time of
selection of hospice care as having the most significant role in the determination
and delivery of the patient's medical care;
(ii) ``Bereavement Counselor'' means a person qualified through education and
experience to counsel patients and family members on issues relating to loss and
grief. The hospice program shall define the qualifications necessary to address the
unique needs of each population served;
(iii) ``Primary Caregiver'' means a person who provides care for the patient and
who, if not residing with the patient, is readily available to assure the patient's safety;
(iv) ``Case Management'' means the coordination and supervision of all hospice
care and services, to include periodic review and revision of the patient's plan of
care and services, based on ongoing assessments of the patient's needs;
(v) ``Coordination of Inpatient Care Agreement'' means an agreement between
the agency and a contractor, which may include an inpatient setting or other health
care professionals, for the provision of services during an inpatient admission by
the contractor and which includes, but is not limited to, mechanisms for collaboration
and coordination of care and sharing of information to meet the ongoing needs of
the patient family;
(vi) ``Counseling Services'' means medical social work, bereavement, spiritual,
dietary and other counseling services as required in the plan of care;
(vii) ``Family'' means group of two or more individuals related by blood, legal
status, or affection who consider themselves a family;
(viii) ``Home'' means the place where a hospice patient resides and may include
but is not limited to a private home, nursing home, or specialized residence which
provides supportive services;
(ix) ``Hospice Employee'' means a paid or unpaid staff member of the hospice
program;
(x) ``Hospice Interdisciplinary Team'' means a specifically trained group of
professionals licensed pursuant to Title 20 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and
volunteers, including but not limited to a physician, a registered nurse, a consulting
pharmacist and one or more of the following: a social worker, a spiritual, bereavement
or other counselor, the volunteer coordinator, a volunteer with a role in the patient's
plan of care, who work together to meet the physiological, psychological, social,
and spiritual needs of hospice patients and their families;
(xi) ``Hospice Program'' means a program of the home health care agency that
is the primary agency engaged in coordinating the provision of care and services
to patients who are terminally ill from the time of admission to the hospice program
throughout the course of the illness until death or discharge;
(xii) ``Inpatient setting'' means an institution; licensed in the state in which it is
located, which includes a short-term hospital, general, a chronic and convalescent
nursing home, or a short-term hospital, special, hospice. A rest home with nursing
supervision may also be included for the provision of respite care only;
Sec. 19-13-D page 168 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D72
(xiii) ``Medical Director'' means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, licensed
pursuant to Chapter 370 or 371 of the Connecticut General Statutes, or licensed in
a state which borders Connecticut, who assumes overall responsibility for the medical
component of the hospice's patient care program and who is an employee of the
hospice program;
(xiv) ``Palliative Care'' means treatment which enhances comfort and improves
the quality of a patient's life;
(xv) ``Patient Family'' means the hospice patient, his or her family members or
primary caregivers; the patient family is considered to be a unit and the recipients
of hospice care;
(xvi) ``Pharmaceutical Services'' means pharmacy services provided directly or
by contract to patients, primarily for the relief of pain and other symptoms related
to the terminal illness, and consultation to the hospice interdisciplinary team;
(xvii) ``Plan of Care'' means a written, individualized plan of care developed for
a hospice patient, in accordance with the wishes of the patient, with the participation
of the patient family, attending physician, medical director and members of the
hospice interdisciplinary team as appropriate;
(xviii) ``Qualified Dietitian'' means a dietitian who is registered by the Commis-
sion on Dietetic Registration or certified as a dietitian-nutritionist by the Department
pursuant to Chapter 384b of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(xix) ``Spiritual'' means those aspects of a human being associated with the
emotions and feelings, which are unique to each individual, as distinguished from
the physical body;
(xx) ``Spiritual Counselor'' means a person who is qualified through education
and experience to provide spiritual counseling and support. The hospice program
shall define the qualifications necessary to address the unique needs of each popula-
tion served;
(xxi) ``Terminally Ill'' means having a diagnosis of advanced irreversible disease,
as attested to by a licensed physician;
(xxii) ``Volunteer'' means an unpaid associate of the hospice program who has
successfully completed a training program in preparation for providing assistance
to hospice patient families and assisting in the administrative activities of the hospice;
(xxiii) ``Volunteer Coordinator'' means an employee of the hospice program who
has demonstrated skills in organizing, communicating with and managing people.
(B) An agency shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for
all hospice services provided which include:
(i) A description of the objectives and scope of each service to be provided, both
directly and by contract which assures the continuity of care from the time of
admission to the hospice program throughout the course of the patient's illness
until death or discharge. Such services shall include coordination of inpatient care
agreements for care as needed in inpatient settings;
(ii) Admission criteria for accepting a patient family for hospice services which
includes, but is not limited to, a statement of a physician's or the medical director's
clinical judgment regarding the normal course of the individual's illness and a
requirement that patients will not be discharged from the hospice program solely
as a result of admission to an inpatient setting with which the hospice program has
a coordination of inpatient care agreement;
(iii) Procedures for the provision of care and services to the patient family including
advising the patient or legal representative of the nature of the palliative care
offered. Palliative care includes pain control, symptom management, quality of life
Sec. 19-13-D page 169 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D72
enhancement and spiritual and emotional comfort for patients and their caregivers;
the patient's needs are continuously assessed and all treatment options are explored
and evaluated in the context of the patient's values and symptoms;
(iv) Qualifications for all providers of care and services in accordance with State
law and regulations;
(v) Availability of services;
(vi) Orientation and training for all providers of care and services to the hospice
philosophy of patient care. The hospice program shall be responsible for educating
all unlicensed personnel assigned to provide services to hospice patient families
regarding hospice goals, philosophy and approaches to care;
(vii) For hospice employees, six hours of the annual in-service education require-
ments in accordance with Section 19-13-D71(a)(2) of these regulations shall address
topics related to hospice care. The agency shall ensure, as part of its coordination
of inpatient care agreement with an inpatient setting, that all direct service staff
receive in-service education including two hours specific to hospice care. The in-
service education shall include current information regarding drugs and treatments,
specific service procedures and techniques, pain and symptom management, psy-
chosocial and spiritual aspects of care, interdisciplinary team approach to care,
bereavement care, acceptable professional standards, and criteria and classification
of clients served;
(viii) The procedure for the disposal of controlled drugs maintained in the patient's
home by the family or primary caregiver, when those drugs are no longer needed
by the patient, in accordance with accepted safety standards.
(C) A hospice program shall have a written quality improvement plan and program
which guides the hospice program toward improving organizational performance
and achieving the desired outcomes for patient families.
(D) In addition to the membership requirements set forth in Section 19-13-D68(c)
of these regulations, a hospice program shall appoint a pharmacist, a volunteer and
members of other professional disciplines as appropriate to the agency's Professional
Advisory Committee.
(E) The hospice interdisciplinary team shall be composed of individuals who
have clinical experience and education appropriate to the needs of the terminally
ill and their families. The team shall include:
(i) The medical director, or physician designee;
(ii) A registered nurse, licensed pursuant to Chapter 378 of the Connecticut
General Statutes;
(iii) A consulting pharmacist, licensed pursuant to Chapter 400j of the Connecticut
General Statutes;
(iv) and one or more of the following, based on the needs of the patient:
I. A social worker, licensed pursuant to Chapter 383b of the Connecticut Gen-
eral Statutes;
II. A bereavement counselor;
III. A spiritual counselor;
IV. A volunteer coordinator;
V. A trained volunteer who is assigned a role in the patient's plan of care;
VI. A physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist.
(F) Interdisciplinary team members shall participate, to the extent of the scope
of services provided to a patient family, in:
(i) The admission process and initial assessment for services;
Sec. 19-13-D page 170 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D72
(ii) The development of initial patient family plan of care, within 48 hours
of admission;
(iii) Ongoing case management.
(G) The plan of care shall be individualized and interdisciplinary, addressing the
patient family. The plan for each service provided to the patient family shall include,
but not be limited to, assessment of patient family needs as they relate to hospice
services, goals of hospice management, plans for palliative intervention, bereavement
care and identification of advance directives.
(i) The hospice program shall assure coordination and continuity of the plan of
care, 24 hours per day, seven days per week from the time of admission to the hospice
program throughout the course of the patient's illness until death or discharge. A
copy of the plan of care shall be furnished to providers in inpatient or other settings
where the patient may be temporarily placed and shall include the inpatient services
to be furnished;
(ii) The hospice supervisor of clinical services shall be responsible for coordination
and management of all services, including those provided directly and by contract,
to hospice patient families;
(iii) The plan of care for all hospice services shall be reviewed and revised by
members of the interdisciplinary team as often as the patient's condition indicates,
but no less frequently than every 14 days.
(H) Assessments and plans of care shall be documented and retained in the
clinical record. The clinical record shall also include progress notes from each
involved discipline.
(I) Case management shall be implemented based on the patient's condition, but
occur no less frequently than every 14 days, and shall include the participation of
the patient, family, physician and all members of the interdisciplinary team who
are serving the patient family.
(J) There shall be a full-time hospice program director, appointed by the governing
authority of the home health care agency, who shall have responsibility to plan,
staff, direct and implement the hospice program. The hospice program director
shall either:
(i) Be qualified in accordance with Section 19-13-D67(a) of the Regulations of
Connecticut State Agencies, but with hospice or home health care supervisory or
administrative experience which included care of the sick, in lieu of experience in
a health care facility or program; or
(ii) Possess a master's degree in social work and at least one year of supervisory
or administrative experience in a hospice or home health care agency.
(K) An agency offering a hospice program shall employ a medical director.
(i) A hospice program medical director shall have a minimum of five years of
clinical experience in the practice of medicine or osteopathy.
(ii) The medical director shall be knowledgeable about the psychosocial, spiritual,
and medical aspects of hospice care;
(iii) The medical director's responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:
I. Development and periodic review of the medical policies of the hospice program;
II. Consultation with attending physicians regarding pain and symptom control
and medical management as appropriate;
III. Participation in the development of the plan of care for each patient admitted
to the hospice;
IV. Serving as a resource for the hospice interdisciplinary team;
V. Acting as a liaison to physicians in the community;
Sec. 19-13-D page 171 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D72
VI. Assuring continuity and coordination of all medical services.
(L) Medical care and direction shall be provided by the patient's attending physi-
cian or the hospice medical director. Orders to administer medications shall be written
and signed by the patient's attending physician or the hospice medical director.
(M) Nursing services shall be provided by qualified nurses licensed pursuant to
Chapter 378 of the Connecticut General Statutes, employed by the hospice program
and under the supervision of a primary care nurse.
(i) In addition to the requirements of Section 19-13-D68(e) of these regulations,
an agency providing a hospice program shall employ one qualified full-time regis-
tered nurse supervisor of clinical services for each ten or fewer, full-time or full-
time equivalent professional direct service staff assigned to the hospice program,
who shall manage and supervise the day to day activities of the hospice program,
including coordination of the interdisciplinary team;
(ii) The supervisor of clinical services assigned to the hospice program may also
serve as the hospice program director in programs with six or fewer full-time or
full-time equivalent professional direct-services staff.
(iii) A registered nurse, serving as the primary care nurse, shall be responsible
for the following:
I. Development and implementation of an individualized, interdisciplinary patient
family plan of care;
II. Admission of patients for service and development of the initial patient family
plan of care within 48 hours of admission with input from at least one other member
of the hospice interdisciplinary team;
III. Coordination of services with the patient family, hospice interdisciplinary
team members and all others involved in the plan of care and delivery of patient
care services.
(N) Social work services shall be provided by qualified social workers, licensed
pursuant to Chapter 383b of the Connecticut General Statutes, employed by the
hospice program. The social worker's functions shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) Comprehensive evaluation of the psychosocial status of the
patient family as it relates to the patient's illness and environment;
(ii) Counseling of the patient family and primary caregivers;
(iii) Participation in development of the plan of care;
(iv) Participation in ongoing case management with the hospice interdisciplin-
ary team.
(O) Counseling shall include bereavement, spiritual, dietary, and any other coun-
seling services that may be needed by the patient family while enrolled in a hos-
pice program.
(i) Counseling shall be provided only by qualified personnel employed by the
hospice;
(ii) Bereavement services shall include:
I. Ongoing assessment of the family and primary caregiver's needs, including
the presence of any risk factors associated with the patient's impending death or
death and the ability of the family or primary caregiver to cope with the loss;
II. A plan of care for bereavement services which identifies the individualized
services to be provided;
III. The availability of pre-death grief counseling for the patient family and
primary caregiver;
IV. Ongoing, regular, planned contact with the family and primary caregiver,
offered for at least one year after the death of the patient, based on the plan of care;
Sec. 19-13-D page 172 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D72
(iii) A spiritual counselor shall provide counseling, in accordance with the wishes
of the patient, based on initial and ongoing assessments of the spiritual needs of
the patient family that, at a minimum, include the nature and scope of spiritual
concerns or needs. Services may include:
I. Spiritual counseling consistent with patient family beliefs;
II. Communication with and support of involvement by local clergy or spiri-
tual counselor;
III. Consultation and education for the patient family and interdisciplinary
team members.
(iv) A qualified dietitian shall provide counseling based on initial and ongoing
assessments of the current nutritional status of the patient, pre-existing medical
conditions, and special dietary needs. Services may include:
I. Counseling of the patient family and primary caregiver with regard to the
patient's diet;
II. Coordination of the plan of care with other providers of nutritional services
or counseling.
(P) The hospice program shall have volunteer services available to the hospice
patient family. Management of the ongoing active volunteer program including
orientation and education, shall be designated in writing to a full-time hospice
employee, who may have other responsibilities in addition to those of volunteer coor-
dinator.
(i) Volunteers may be utilized in administrative or direct patient family care roles;
(ii) The hospice program shall provide orientation, ongoing training and supervi-
sion of its volunteers consistent with the duties and functions to be performed;
(iii) Volunteers who are qualified to provide professional or homemaker-home
health aide services shall meet all standards, licensing or credentialing requirements
associated with their discipline.
(Q) The hospice program, which shall serve as the patient's primary agency, may
provide services by contract with an agency or individual and shall have legally
binding written agreements for the provision of such contracted services in accord-
ance with the requirements of Section 19-13-D70 of the Regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies. If a hospice program enters into a coordination of inpatient care
agreement with an inpatient setting, the written agreement shall include, but not be
limited to, provisions for accommodations for family members to remain with the
patient overnight, space for private patient and family visiting, homelike decor, and
privacy for the family after a patient's death.
(R) Pharmaceutical services, including consultation with hospice program staff
regarding patient needs, shall be made available by the hospice program 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.
(Effective December 28, 1992; amended December 23, 1997, August 31, 1998, December 12, 2001)
Sec. 19-13-D73. Patient care plan
(a) Each medical or dental plan of treatment shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) All diagnoses or conditions, primary and secondary;
(2) Types and frequency of services and equipment required;
(3) Medications and treatments required;
(4) Prognosis, iuding rehabilitation potential;
(5) Functional limitations and activities permitted;
(6) Therapeutic diet.
(b) The medical or dental plan of treatment shall be reviewed as often as the
severity of the patient's condition requires, but at least every sixty (60) days for all
Sec. 19-13-D page 173 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D75
patients receiving one (1) or more skilled services. The original plan and any
modifications shall be signed by the patient's physician or dentist within twenty-
one (21) days. Agency professional staff shall promptly alert the patient's physician
or dentist to any changes in the patient's condition that suggest a need to alter the
plan of treatment.
(c) The plan for each service provided the patient and family shall include, but
not be limited to:
(1) Assessment of patient and family needs as they relate to home health services;
(2) Goals of management, plans for intervention and implementation.
(d) The plan for each agency service shall be reviewed and revised as often as
the patient's condition indicates and shall be signed by the primary care nurse and
other service personnel at least every sixty (60) days.
(Effective September 20, 1978; amended August 29, 1996)
Sec. 19-13-D74. Administration of medicines
(a) Orders for the administration of medications shall be in writing, signed by
the patient's physician or dentist, and in compliance with the agency's written policy
and procedure.
(1) Medications shall be administered only as ordered by the patient's physician
or dentist and in compliance with the laws of the State of Connecticut;
(2) Orders shall include at least the name of medication, dosage, frequency and
method of administration.
(3) All medications shall be administered only by registered nurses or licensed
practical nurses licensed in accordance with Chapter 378 of the Connecticut General
Statutes or other health care practitioners licensed in this state with statutory authority
to administer medications.
(b) Agency staff shall regularly monitor all prescribed and over-the-counter medi-
cines a patient is taking and shall promptly report any problems to the patient's
physician or dentist.
(Effective October 26, 1984)
Sec. 19-13-D75. Clinical record system
(a) An agency shall maintain a clinical record system which includes, but not
limited to:
(1) A written policy on the protection of records which defines procedures govern-
ing the use and removal of records, conditions for release of information contained
in the record and which requires authorization in writing by the patient for release
of appropriate information not otherwise authorized by law;
(2) A written policy which provides for the retention and storage of records for
at least seven (7) years from the date of the last service to the patient and which
provides for the retention and storage of such records in the event the agency
discontinues operation;
(3) A policy and procedure manual governing the record system and procedures
for all agency staff;
(4) Maintaining records on the agency's premises in lockable storage area(s).
(b) A clinical record shall be developed for each patient which shall be filed in
an accessible area within the agency and which shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Identifying data (name, address, date of birth, sex, date of admission or read-
mission);
(2) Source of referral, including where applicable, name and type of institution
from which discharged and date of discharge;
Sec. 19-13-D page 174 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D75
(3) Patient care plans;
(4) Name, address and phone number of physician(s) or dentist(s) responsible
for medical or dental care;
(5) Pertinent past and current health history;
(6) Clinical notes following each patient's contact with the staff members, incor-
porated no less often than weekly;
(7) Progress notes by professional staff and copies of summary or progress reports
sent to physician or dentist;
(8) Documentation of all case management and monitoring activities, including
sixty (60) day utilization review;
(9) Discharge summary, if applicable.
(c) All notes and reports in the patient's clinical record shall be typewritten or
legibly written in ink, dated and signed by the recording person with his full name
or first initial and surname and title.
(Effective September 20, 1978)
Sec. 19-13-D76. Quality assurance program
(a) An agency shall have a written quality assurance program which shall include
but not be limited to the following components:
(1) Program evaluation;
(2) Quarterly clinical record review;
(3) Annual documentation of clinical competence;
(4) Annual process and outcome record audits.
(b) The professional advisory committee or a committee appointed by the govern-
ing authority and at least one person from administrative or supervisory staff shall
implement, monitor and integrate the various components of the agency's quality
assurance program.
(c) The committee and staff designated pursuant to regulation 19-13-D76 (b) shall:
(1) Annually analyze and summarize, in writing, all findings and recommenda-
tions of the quality assurance program;
(2) Present written reports of the findings of each component or a written summary
report of the findings of the quality assurance program to the professional advisory
committee and to the governing authority;
(3) Monitor implementation of the recommendations and actions directed by the
governing authority based on said report(s);
(4) Within one hundred twenty (120) days of action on the report(s) by the
governing authority, report in writing to the governing authority, administration and
professional advisory committee the progress in implementation of the recom-
mended actions;
(5) Ensure that a copy of the annual quality assurance report(s) and the progress
report on implementation are maintained by the agency.
(d) The program evaluation shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) The extent to which the agency's objectives, policies and resources are ade-
quate to maintain programs and services appropriate to community, patient and
family needs;
(2) The extent to which the agency's administrative practices and patterns for
delivery of services achieve efficient and effective community, patient and family
services in a five (5) year cycle.
(e) At least quarterly, health professionals in active practice, representing at least
the scope of the agency's home health care services shall review a sample of active
and closed clinical records to assure that agency policies are followed in providing
Sec. 19-13-D page 175 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D77
services. No person involved directly in service to a patient or family shall participate
in the review of that patient or family's clinical record.
(1) At least once in each calendar quarter, the agency shall select records for
review by a random sampling of all therapeutic cases. The agency's sampling
methodology shall be defined in its quality assurance program policies and proce-
dures after approval by the commissioner. The sample of clinical records reviewed
each quarter shall be according to the following ratios:
(A) Eighty (80) or less cases; eight (8) records;
(B) Eighty-one (81) or more cases, ten percent (10%) of caseload for the quarter
to maximum of twenty-five (25) records. One review form describing the areas to
be assessed shall be completed for each record reviewed.
(f) Six (6) months after employment and annually thereafter, a written report
shall be prepared on the clinical competence of each direct service staff member
employed by or under individual contract to the agency by the employee's profes-
sional supervisor, which shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Direct observation of clinical performance;
(2) Patient and family management as recorded in clinical notes and reports
prepared by the staff member;
(3) Case management conference performance;
(4) Participation in the agency's inservice education program;
(5) Personal continuing education;
(6) Each staff member shall review and sign a copy of his/her performance
evaluation and the agency shall maintain copies of same in the employee's person-
nel file;
(7) Unsatisfactory performance of direct service staff shall require a plan for
corrective action which shall be filed in the employee's personnel folder. In the
case of a homemaker-home health aide, the corrective action shall include that the
homemaker-home health aide may not perform any task rated as ``unsatisfactory''
without direct supervision by a registered nurse until after he or she receives training
in the task for which he or she was evaluated as ``unsatisfactory'' and passes a
subsequent evaluation with "'satisfactory.''
(g) Effective January 1, 1982, an agency shall:
(1) Include in its quality assurance program annual process and outcome audits
of a sample of the clinical records of persons served during the previous twelve
(12) months;
(2) Have defined outcome measures for at least two (2) of any diagnostic category
representing five (5%) percent or more of its annual caseload. For each successive
twelve (12) month period after January 1, 1982, the agency shall expand its outcome
measures by one diagnostic category, until measures have been defined for each
diagnostic category representing five (5%) percent or more of the agency's casel-
oad; or
(3) Have received approval from the commissioner to use another patient classifi-
cation system to define outcome measures.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D77. Administrative organization and records
An agency shall not be eligible for licensure until it demonstrates to the satisfaction
of the commissioner that complete authority and control of the agency's operations
is vested in a corporation chartered in or properly qualified to do business in this
state, or in a person or persons who will reside in this state during the period of
licensure. When an agency provides patient care services through more than one
Sec. 19-13-D page 176 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D77
office, the organization, services, control and lines of authority and accountability
between the central office and the other office(s) shall be defined in writing the
central office, shall be licensed as a home health care agency in compliance with
the regulations and standards governing home health care agencies. When patient
care services are provided through other offices of the agency, each office shall be
in compliance with the regulations and standards, as specified herein, governing
supervisor of clinical services, services, patient care policies, patient care plan,
administration of medicines, clinical record system, patient bill of rights and responsi-
bilities and facilities. Weekend, holiday, evening or night services may be provided
through arrangement with one or more other agencies but there shall be a written
description of the organization, services provided, lines of authority, responsibility
and accountability between the agencies.
(a) An agency shall be in compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances
of the State of Connecticut, the federal government and the town(s) served by
the agency.
(b) A copy of the policy and procedure manual shall be available to the staff at
all times.
(c) An agency shall submit an annual statistical report of services rendered to
the commissioner within ninety (90) days after the close of the agency's fiscal year.
(d) An agency shall provide consumer participation in the annual program evalua-
tion component of the quality assurance program.
(e) An agency shall appoint a pharmacist to its professional advisory committee
or to its clinical record review process.
(f) An agency shall provide written information to the actual and potential con-
sumers of its services which accurately describes the services available, the fees
for services and any conditions for acceptance or termination of services which may
influence a consumer's decision to seek the services of the agency. If a licensed
home health care agency is not certified for provision of Medicare home health
benefits, its written information shall state this clearly.
(g) Whenever services as defined in C.G.S section 19-576 (d) or (e) are being
provided at the same time to the same patient by more than one agency licensed
to provide such services, there shall be:
(1) A written contract between participating agencies which meets the require-
ments of section 19-13-D70 of these regulations; or
(2) A written memo of understanding between the participating agencies or
documentation in the patient's clinical record of the plan established between the
participating agencies which defines assignment of primary responsibility for the
patient's care and methods of communication/coordination between the agencies so
that all information necessary to assure safe, coordinated care to the patient is
accessible and available to all participating agencies.
(h) Administrative records, including all files, records and reports required by
these regulations, shall be maintained on the agency's premises and shall be accessi-
ble at any time to the commissioner. These records shall be retained for not less
than seven (7) years. There shall be a policy for retention and storage of these
records in the event the agency discontinues operation.
(i) An agency shall notify the commissioner immediately of an intent to discon-
tinue operations. In such event, an agency shall continue operations, maintain a
staff of administrator, supervisor of clinical services and essential patient care
personnel and fulfill all patient care obligations until an orderly transfer of all patients
to other sources of care has been completed to the commissioner's satisfaction.
(Effective June 21, 1983)
Sec. 19-13-D page 177 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D79
Sec. 19-13-D78. Patient's bill of rights and responsibilities
An agency shall have a written bill of rights and responsibilities governing agency
services which shall be made available and explained to each patient or representative
at the time of admission. Such explanation shall be documented in the patient's
clinical record. The bill of rights shall include but not be limited to:
(a) A description of available services, unit charges and billing mechanisms. Any
changes in such must be given to the patient orally and in writing as soon as possible
but no later than thirty (30) working days from the date the agency becomes aware
of a change;
(b) Policy on uncompensated care;
(c) Criteria for admission to service and discharge from service;
(d) Information regarding the right to participate in the planning of the care to
be furnished, the disciplines that will furnish care, the frequency of visits proposed
and any changes in the care to be furnished, the person supervising the patients'
care and the manner in which that person may be contacted;
(e) Patient responsibility for participation in the development and implementation
of the home health care plan;
(f) Right of the patient or designated representative to be fully informed of
patients' health condition, unless contraindicated by a physician in the clinical record;
(g) Right of the patient to have his or her property treated with respect;
(h) Explanation of confidential treatment of all patient information retained in
the agency and the requirement for written consent for release of information to
persons not otherwise authorized under law to receive it;
(i) Policy regarding patient access to the clinical record;
(j) Explanation of grievance procedure and right to file grievance without discrim-
ination or reprisal from agency regarding treatment or care to be provided or
regarding the lack of respect for property by anyone providing agency services;
(k) Procedure for registering complaints with the commissioner and information
regarding the availability of the medicare toll-free hotline, including telephone
number, hours of operation for receiving complaints or questions about local home
health agencies;
(l) Agency's responsibility to investigate complaints made by a patient, patient's
family or guardian regarding treatment or care provided or that fails to be provided
and lack of respect for the patient's property by anyone providing agency services.
Agency complaint log shall include date, nature and resolution of the complaint.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D79. Facilities
(a) An agency's central office or any offices serving residents of Connecticut
shall be located within the State of Connecticut and be accessible to the public.
(b) An agency shall have a communication system adequate to receive requests
and referrals for service, maintain verbal contact with health service personnel at
all times when they are serving patients, receive calls from patients under the care
of the agency and maintain contact as needed with physicians and other providers
of care.
(c) The facilities shall provide adequate and safe space for:
(1) Staff to carry out their normal pre and post visit activities;
(2) Supervisory conferences with staff;
(3) Conferencing with patients and their families;
(4) Storage and maintenance of equipment and supplies necessary for patient care;
Sec. 19-13-D page 178 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D79
(5) Maintaining administrative records and files, financial records, and clinical
records in file cabinets which can be locked.
(Effective June 21, 1983)
Homemaker-Home Health Aide Agency
Sec. 19-13-D80. Definitions
As used in Sections 19-13-D80 to 19-13-D92 inclusive:
(a) ``Agency'' means a homemaker-home health aide agency as defined in Section
19a-490 (e) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(b) ``Central office'' means the agency office responsible and accountable for
all agency operations in this state;
(c) ``Clinical experience'' means employment in providing patient services in a
health care setting;
(d) ``Commissioner'' means the commissioner of health services, or his/her repre-
sentative;
(e) ``Consumer'' means a potential or actual recipient of homemaker-home health
aide services;
(f) ``Contracted services'' or ``services under arrangement'' means services pro-
vided by the agency which are subject to a written agreement with an individual,
another agency or facility;
(g) ``Contractor'' means any organization, individual, home health care or home-
maker-home health aide agency that provides services to patients of a primary
agency as defined in paragraph (s) of Section 19-13-D80 of these regulations;
(h) ``Curriculum'' means the plan of classroom and clinical instructions for
training and skills assessment as a homemaker-home health aide;
(i) ``Department'' means the Connecticut Department of Health Services;
(j) ``Evening or nighttime service'' means service provided between the hours
of 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.;
(k) ``Full-time'' means employed and on duty a minimum of thirty-five (35)
hours per workweek;
(l) ``Full-time equivalent'' means the hours of work by more than one person
in a one workweek period which equals a cumulative total which shall not be less
than thirty-five (35) hours;
(m) ``Holiday service'' means service provided on the days specified in the
agency's official personnel policies as holidays;
(n) ``Homemaker-home health aide'' means an unlicensed person who has suc-
cessfully completed a training and competency evaluation program for the prepara-
tion of homemaker-home health aides approved by the department.
(o) ``Parent agency'' means the agency that develops and maintains administra-
tive control of subdivisions and patient service offices;
(p) ``Patient care services'' means agency activities carried out by agency staff
for or on behalf of a patient. Such services include, but are not limited to, receipt
of referral for service, admission to service, assignment of personnel, homemaker-
home health aide service, communication/coordination with patient and others
involved in the patient's care and development/maintenance of patient's record.
(g) ``Patient service office'' means one or more separate and distinct offices
which provide patient care services and are included under the agency's license.
This office shall comply with the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Section
19-13-D90;
Sec. 19-13-D page 179 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D81
(r) ``Permanent part-time'' means employed and on duty a minimum of twenty
(20) hours per workweek on a regular basis;
(s) ``Primary homemaker-home health aide agency'' means the agency that is
responsible for the homemaker-home health aide service furnished to patients and
for the implementation of the plan of care;
(t) ``Professional supervision'' means direction and supervision by a registered
nurse supervisor, and, as appropriate, a physical therapist supervisor, occupational
therapist supervisor, speech therapist supervisor, or social work supervisor;
(u) ``Provider agency'' means the agency or subdivision that has primary author-
ity and responsibility for provision of services to the patient and family;
(v) ``Public health nurse'' means a graduate of a baccalaureate degree program
in nursing approved by the National League for Nursing for preparation in public
health nursing;
(w) ``Representative'' means a designated member of the patient's family, or
person legally designated to act for the patient in the exercise of the patient's rights
as contained in Sections 19-13-D80 to 19-13-D92 of the Regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies.
(x) ``Social worker'' means a graduate of a master's degree program in social
work accredited by the council on social work education;
(y) ``Subdivision'' means a unit of a multifunction health care organization which
is assigned the primary authority and responsibility for the agency operations. A
subdivision shall independently meet the regulations and standards for licensure
and shall be independently licensed as a homemaker-home health aide agency;
(z) ``Supportive services'' means services which include, but are not limited to
assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, feeding and incidental household tasks
essential to achieving adequate household and family management, and are provided
under the supervision of a registered nurse;
(aa) ``Weekend service'' means services provided on Saturday or Sunday.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D81. Personnel
(a) An agency administrator shall be a person with one of the following:
(1) A baccalaureate degree in nursing with an active license to practice in this
state and at least two (2) years of full-time experience in a homemaker-home health
aide agency or related health care facility/program which included care of the sick; or
(2) A baccalaureate degree in social work, home economics, administration,
or related human services field with a concentration of study in health services
administration, and at least two (2) years of full-time experience in a homemaker-
home health aide agency or related health care facility/program which included care
of the sick; or
(b) An agency registered nurse supervisor shall be a person with an active license
to practice nursing in this state and shall have one of the following:
(1) A baccalaureate degree in nursing and at least two (2) years of full-time
clinical experience within the past five (5) years in a home health care agency or
related health care facility program which included care of the sick; or
(2) An associate degree in nursing and at least three (3) years of full-time clinical
experience in nursing within the past five (5) years, at least two (2) of which were
in a home health care agency or related health care facility/program which included
care of the sick; or
(3) A diploma in nursing and at least three (3) years of full-time clinical experience
in nursing within the past five (5) years, at least two (2) of which were in a home
Sec. 19-13-D page 180 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D81
health care agency or related health care facility/program which included care of
the sick.
(c) An agency physical therapist supervisor shall be a person licensed to practice
physical therapy in this state and one who has completed a minimum of one (1)
year full-time clinical experience in physical therapy;
(d) An agency occupational therapist supervisor shall be a graduate of a basic
education program accredited by the American Medical Association for the prepara-
tion of occupational therapists, or a person who has successfully completed the
national certifying examination and is currently registered by the American Occupa-
tional Therapy Association, who has a minimum of one (1) year clinical experience
in occupational therapy services and effective July 1, 1979, the occupational therapist
supervisor shall be licensed to practice in this state.
(e) An agency social work supervisor shall be a graduate of a master's degree
program in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education who
has a minimum of one (1) year full-time experience in social work.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D82. General requirements
The agency shall be organized and staffed in compliance with the following:
(a) An agency shall be governed by a governing authority, maintain an active
patient care advisory committee, be directed by an administrator and operate any
services offered in compliance with these regulations. Compliance with these regula-
tions shall be the joint and several responsibility of the governing authority and
the administrator.
(b) Governing Authority:
(1) There shall be a formal governing authority with full legal authority and
responsibility for the operation of the agency which shall adopt bylaws or rules that
are reviewed and so dated. Such bylaws or rules shall include, but are not limited to:
(A) Purposes of the agency;
(B) Delineation of the powers, duties and voting procedures of the governing
authority, its officers and committees;
(C) Qualifications for membership, method of selection and terms of office of
members and chairpersons of committees;
(D) A description of the authority delegated to the administrator;
(E) The agency's conflict of interest policy and procedures.
(2) The bylaws or rules shall be available to all members of the governing
authority and all individuals to whom authority is delegated.
(3) The governing authority shall:
(A) Meet as frequently as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities as stated in these
regulations, but no less than one (1) time per year;
(B) Provide a written agenda and minutes for each meeting;
(C) Provide that minutes reflect the identity of those members in attendance and
that, following approval, such minutes be dated and signed by the secretary;
(D) Ensure that the agenda and minutes of any of its meetings or any of its
committees are available at any time to the commissioner.
(4) Responsibilities of the governing authority include, but are not limited to:
(A) Services provided by the agency and the quality of care rendered to patients
and their families;
(B) Selection and appointment of a patient care advisory committee;
(C) Policy and program determination and delegation of authority to implement
policies and programs;
Sec. 19-13-D page 181 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D82
(D) Appointment of a qualified administrator;
(E) Management of the fiscal affairs of the agency;
(F) The quality assurance program.
(5) The governing authority shall ensure that:
(A) The name and address of each officer and member of the governing authority
are reported annually to the commissioner;
(B) The name and address of each owner and, if the agency is a corporation, all
ownership interests of ten percent (10%) or more (direct or indirect) are reported
annually to the commissioner;
(C) Any change in ownership is reported to the commissioner within ninety
(90) days;
(D) The name of the administrator of the agency is forwarded to the commissioner
within three (3) days of his/her appointment and notice that the administrator has
left for any reason is so forwarded within forty-eight (48) hours.
(c) Patient care advisory committee:
(1) There shall be a patient care advisory committee, appointed by the governing
authority, consisting of at least one (1) physician, one (1) public health nurse, one
(1) social worker and two (2) consumers representing the community served by the
agency. Professional representatives shall be in active practice in their professions,
or shall have been in active practice within the last five (5) years. No member of
the patient care advisory committee, shall be an owner, stockholder, employee of
the agency or related to same, including by marriage. However, provision may be
made for employees to serve on the committee as exofficio members only, without
voting powers.
(2) The functions of the patient care advisory committee shall be to recommend
and review at least annually agency policies on:
(A) Scope of service offered;
(B) Service policies;
(C) Admission and discharge criteria;
(D) Professional supervision and care plans;
(E) Patient records;
(F) Personnel qualifications and training;
(G) Quality assurance activities;
(H) Patient care issues especially as they relate to the delivery of service and
findings of the quality assurance program.
(3) The patient care advisory committee shall hold at least two (2) meetings
annually.
(4) Written minutes shall document dates of meetings, attendance, agenda and
recommendations. The minutes shall be presented, read and accepted at the next
regular meeting of the governing authority of the agency following the patient
care advisory committee meeting. These minutes shall be available at any time to
the commissioner.
(d) Administrator:
(1) There shall be a full-time agency administrator appointed by the governing
authority of the agency.
(2) The administrator shall have full authority and responsibility delegated by
the governing authority to plan, staff, direct and implement the programs and manage
the affairs of the agency. The administrator's responsibilities include, but are not
limited to:
(A) Interpretation and execution of the policies of the governing authority;
(B) Program planning, budgeting, management and evaluation based upon com-
munity needs and agency resources;
Sec. 19-13-D page 182 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D82
(C) Maintenance of ongoing liaison among governing authority, its committees,
the patient care advisory committee and staff;
(D) Employment of qualified personnel, evaluation of staff performance per
agency policy, provision of planned orientation and inservice education programs
for agency personnel;
(E) Development of a record system and statistical reporting system for program
documentation, planning and evaluation, which includes at least the data specified
in these regulations;
(F) Preparation of a budget for the approval of the governing authority and
implementation of financial policies, accounting system and cost controls;
(G) Assurance of an accurate public information system;
(H) Maintenance of the agency's compliance with licensure regulations and
standards;
(I) Distribution of a written plan for the delegation of administrative responsibili-
ties and functions in the absence of the administrator;
(J) Notification to the commissioner, within forty-eight hours, that the registered
nurse supervisor is no longer employed by the agency.
(3) An administrator's absence of longer than one month shall be reported to
the commissioner.
(e) Professional Supervision:
(1) An agency shall employ one (1) full-time registered nurse supervisor for
each twenty-five (25) or less full-time or full-time equivalent homemaker-home
health aides.
(2) Each homemaker-home health aide shall be assigned to and shall report to
the same registered nurse supervisor to ensure clear lines of authority and delegation
of patient care.
(3) A registered nurse supervisor shall be accessible by phone and available to
make a home visit at all times when homemaker-home health aides are on assignment
in a patient's home.
(4) Any absence of the registered nurse supervisor for longer than one month
shall be reported to the commissioner. A registered nurse who has at least two (2)
years experience in a home health care agency or related health care facility/program,
which included care of the sick shall be designated, in writing, to act in any absence
of the registered nurse supervisor.
(5) The registered nurse supervisor shall have primary authority and responsibility
for maintaining the quality of homemaker-home health aide services provided to
the patient. The responsibilities of the registered nurse supervisor shall be clearly
delineated in the position description and shall include but not be limited to:
(A) Initial assessment of the patient and home situation and determination that
the patient's status and care needs can be safely met by homemaker-home health
aide service
(B) Referral of the patient at any time to a home health care agency or other
appropriate level of care, when the patient's status and care needs require more than
supportive services as defined in 19-13-D80 (z) of these regulations;
(C) Development and periodic review of a written plan of care which shall include
the frequency of assessment and methods by which the patient's status and care
needs are to be monitored between assessment visits in the home. The plan of care
shall be reviewed and revised no less frequently than the plan for the registered
nurse supervision of the homemaker-home health aide;
Sec. 19-13-D page 183 (2-08)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D83
(D) Development and periodic review of the written instructions for the home-
maker-home health aide; which shall be completed before the homemaker-home
health aide provides any service to the patient. These instructions shall include the
scope and limitations of homemaker-home health aide activities, pertinent aspects
of patient's condition to be observed and reported to the registered nurse supervisor,
and the name and telephone number of the registered nurse supervisor;
(E) Orientation of the homemaker-home health aide in the home, to the patient,
family and plan for care;
(F) In situations when the homemaker-home health aide orientation cannot be done
in the home prior to initiation of patient care activities, there shall he documentation in
the patient's record identifying the circumstances which substantiate that the patient's
safety was maintained;
(G) Determination, in the home, that the homemaker-home health aide is compe-
tent to carry out all assigned patient care activities;
(H) Visiting and completing an assessment of assigned patients receiving home-
maker-home health aide services as often as necessary based on the patient's condi-
tion, but not less frequently than every sixty (60) days. The sixty-day assessment
shall be completed while the homemaker-home health aide is providing services in
the patient's home;
(I) Arranging supervision of a homemaker-home health aide by a physical thera-
pist, occupational therapist, speech therapist or social worker, as appropriate;
(J) Plan for medical or other emergencies.
(K) When appropriate, communication with the patient's source(s) of medical
care to secure or report information pertinent to the patient's care;
(L) Development and maintenance of the patient care record;
(M) Coordination of services rendered to the patient and family;
(N) Evaluation of homemaker-home health aide staff, including participation in
orientation and inservice education, direct observation of the homemaker-home
health aide's performance in patient care situations, review of the records and reports
prepared by the homemaker-home health aide, case management conferences with
the homemaker-home health aide, and a written performance evaluation of aides not
less frequently than six (6) months after date of employment, and annually thereafter;
(O) Consultation with the agency administrator on all aspects of patient care;
(6) When appropriate, the registered nurse supervisor may delegate all or part of
the professional supervision to a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech
therapist or social work supervisor. In such situations, the registered nurse supervisor
shall review with designated supervisor the patient's plan of care at least every four
(4) weeks;
(7) The registered nurse supervisor may also serve as the administrator in agencies
with ten (10) or less homemaker-home health aides.
(Effective December 28, 1992; amended June 5, 2007)
Sec. 19-13-D83. Homemaker-home health aide services
(a) An agency shall have written policies governing the delivery of homemaker-
home health aide services.
(b) On and after January 1, 1993, no person shall furnish homemaker-home
health aide services on behalf of a homemaker-home health aide agency unless such
person has successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program
approved by the department.
(1) The commissioner shall adopt, and revise as necessary, a homemaker-home
health aide training program of not less than seventy-five (75) hours and competency
Sec. 19-13-D page 184 (2-08)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D83
evaluation program for homemaker-home health aides. The standard curriculum of
the training program shall include the following elements which shall be presented
in both lecture and clinical settings:
(A) Communications skills;
(B) Observation, reporting and documentation of patient status and the care or
services furnished;
(C) Reading and recording temperature, pulse and respiration;
(D) Basic infection control procedures;
(E) Basic elements of body function and changes in body function that must be
reported to an aide's supervisor;
(F) Maintenance of a clean, safe and healthy environment;
(G) Recognizing emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures;
(H) The physical, emotional, and developmental needs of and ways to work with
the populations served by the homemaker-home health aide agency, including the
need for respect for the patient, his or her privacy and his or her property;
(I) Appropriate and safe techniques in personal hygiene and grooming that
include: bath (bed, sponge, tub or shower), shampoo (sink, tub or bed), nail and
skin care, oral hygiene, toileting and elimination;
(J) Safe transfer techniques and ambulation;
(K) Normal range of motion and positioning;
(L) Adequate nutrition and fluid intake;
(M) Any other task that the homemaker-home health aide agency may choose
to have the homemaker-home health aide perform.
(2) A trainee's successful completion of training shall be demonstrated by the
trainee's performance, satisfactory to the qualified registered nurse designated in
subparagraph (9) (A) of this subdivision of the elements required by the curriculum.
Each agency that elects to conduct a homemaker-home health aide training program
shall submit such information on its homemaker-home health aide training program
as the commissioner may require on forms provided by the department. The depart-
ment may re-evaluate the agency's homemaker-home health aide training program
and competency evaluation program for sufficiency at any time.
(3) The commissioner shall adopt, and revise as necessary, a homemaker-home
health aide competency evaluation program to include, procedures for determination
of competency which may include a standardized test. At a minimum the subject
areas listed in subparagraph (1) (C), (I), (J), and (K) of this subdivision shall be
evaluated through observation of the homemaker-home health aide's performance
of the tasks. The other subject areas in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall
be evaluated through written examination, oral examination or observation of a
homemaker-home health aide with a patient.
(4) A homemaker-home health aide is not considered competent in any task for
which he or she is evaluated as ``unsatisfactory.'' The homemaker-home health
aide must not perform that task without direct supervision by a licensed nurse until
after he or she receives training in the task for which he or she was evaluated
``unsatisfactory'' and passes a subsequent evaluation with a ``satisfactory'' rating.
(5) A homemaker-home health aide is not considered to have successfully passed
a competency evaluation if the aide has an ``unsatisfactory'' rating in more than
one of the required subject areas listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(6) The competency evaluation must be performed by a registered nurse who
possesses a minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience at least one (1) year
of which must be in the provision of home health care.
Sec. 19-13-D page 185 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D83
(7) The state department of education, the board of trustees of community-
technical colleges and an adult continuing education program established and main-
tained under the auspices of the local or regional board of education or regional
educational service center and provided by such board or center may offer such
training programs and competency evaluation programs in accordance with this
subsection as approved by the commissioner
(8) Homemaker-home health aide agencies may offer such training programs and
competency evaluation programs in accordance with this subsection provided that
they have not been determined to be out of compliance with one (1) or more of the
training and competency evaluation requirements of OBRA as amended within any
of the twenty-four (24) months before the training is to begin.
(9) Qualifications of homemaker-home health aide training instructors:
(A) The training of homemaker-home health aides must be performed by or
under the general supervision of a registered nurse who possesses a minimum of
two (2) years of nursing experience, one (1) year of which must be in the provision
of home health care.
(B) Qualified personnel from the health field may serve as trainers in the home-
maker-home health aide training program under the general supervision of the
qualified registered nurse identified in subdivision (9) (A) of this subsection. All
trainers shall be licensed, registered and/or certified in their field.
(C) Licensed practical nurses, under the supervision of the qualified registered
nurse designated in subdivision (9) (A) of this subsection may serve as trainers in
the homemaker-home health aide training program provided the licensed practical
nurse has two (2) years of nursing experience, one (1) year of experience which
must be in the provision of home health care.
(D) The training of homemaker-home health aides may be performed under the
general supervision of the registered nurse supervisor. The registered nurse supervi-
sor is prohibited from performing the actual training of homemaker-home health
aides.
(10) Upon satisfactory completion of the training and competency evaluation
program the agency or educational facility identified in subdivision (7) of this
subsection shall issue documentation of satisfactory completion, signed by the quali-
fied registered nurse designated in subdivision (9) (A) of this subsection, as evidence
of said training and competency evaluation. Said documentation shall include a
notation as to the agency or educational facility that provided the training and
competency evaluation program.
(11) On and after January 1, 1993 any homemaker-home health aide agency that
uses homemaker-home health aides from a placement agency or from a nursing
pool shall maintain sufficient documentation to demonstrate that the requirements
of this subsection are met.
(12) If, since an individual's most recent completion of a training and competency
evaluation program or competency evaluation program, there has been a continuous
period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months during none of which the individual
performed nursing or nursing related services for monetary compensation, such
individual shall complete a new competency evaluation program.
(13) Any person employed as a homemaker-home health aide prior to January
1, 1993, shall be deemed to have completed a training and competency evaluation
program pursuant to subsection 19-13-D83 (b) of the regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies.
(14) Any person who has successfully completed prior to January 1, 1993 the
state-sponsored nurse assistant training program provided through the state depart-
Sec. 19-13-D page 186 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D83
ment of education or through the Connecticut Board of Trustees of community-
technical colleges shall be deemed to have completed a homemaker-home health
aide training and competency evaluation program approved by the commissioner
in accordance with this subsection.
(15) Any person who has completed a nurses aide training and competency
evaluation program as defined in section 19-13-D8t (a) of the Regulations of Con-
necticut State Agencies shall be deemed to have completed a training program as
required in this section. Such individual shall complete a homemaker-home health
aide competency evaluation before the provision of homemaker-home health aide
services.
(16) Any person who has successfully completed a course or courses comprising
not less than seventy-five (75) hours of theoretical and clinical instruction in the
fundamental skills of nursing in a practical nursing or registered nursing education
program approved by the department with the advice and assistance of the state
board of examiners for nursing may be deemed to have completed a homemaker-
home health aide training program approved by the commissioner in accordance
with this subsection. If the curriculum meets the minimum requirements as set forth
in this subsection, such individual shall complete a homemaker-home health aide
competency evaluation before the provision of homemaker-home health aide
services.
(17) On or after January 1, 1993 a homemaker-home health aide in another state
or territory of the United States may be deemed to have completed a training program
as required in this subsection provided the homemaker-home health aide agency
has sufficient documentation which demonstrates such individual has successfully
completed a training program in accordance with subdivision (b) (1). Such individual
shall complete a homemaker-home health aide competency evaluation before the
provision of homemaker-home health aide services.
(18) The homemaker-home health aide agency shall maintain sufficient documen-
tation to demonstrate that all the requirements of this subsection are met for any
individual furnishing homemaker-home health aide services on behalf of the home-
maker-home health aide health agency.
(19) Any person who has been deemed to have completed a homemaker-home
health aide training program in accordance with this subsection shall be provided
with ten (10) hours of orientation by the agency of employment prior to the individual
providing any homemaker-home health aide services.
(c) When designated by the supervising registered nurse, duties of the home-
maker-home health aide may include:
(1) Assisting the patient with personal care activities; including bathing, oral
hygiene, feeding, or dressing;
(2) Assisting the patient with exercises, ambulation, transfer activities and
assisting with medications that are ordinarily self-administered;
(3) Performing normal household services essential to health care at home, includ-
ing shopping, meal preparation, laundry, housecleaning.
(Effective December 28, 1992; amended August 31, 1998)
Sec. 19-13-D84. Contracted services
(a) An agency may hire professional supervision for its homemaker-home health
aide staff through contractual arrangements with other agencies or individuals.
Supervision provided by the primary agency through arrangements with a contractor
agency or individuals shall be set forth in a written contract which clearly specifies:
(1) That the patient's contract for care is with the primary agency;
Sec. 19-13-D page 187 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D85
(2) The services to be provided by the contractor;
(3) The necessity to conform to all applicable primary agency policies, including
personnel qualifications, supervisory ratios and staffing patterns;
(4) The authority and responsibilities of the supervisor;
(5) A term not to exceed one (1) year.
(Effective September 20, 1978)
Sec. 19-13-D85. Personnel policies
(a) An agency shall have written personnel policies which include but are not
limited to:
(1) Orientation policy and procedure. An agency orientation policy for all employ-
ees shall include but not be limited to review of the following:
(A) Agency organization and philosophy of patient care;
(B) Agency patient care policies and procedures;
(C) Agency personnel policies and job description;
(D) Applicable state regulations governing the delivery of homemaker-home
health aide services;
(E) Agency's procedure for the documentation of the orientation dates, content
and name and title of person providing the orientation;
(2) Inservice education policy and plan which provides an annual average of at
least one (1) hour per month for each homemaker-home health aide and a description
of the content of each inservice education session. The in-service education program
shall be provided by or under the supervision of the registered nurse supervisor;
(3) Performance evaluation, which includes a process for corrective action when
an employee receives an unsatisfactory performance evaluation. The corrective
action shall include that the homemaker-home health aide may not perform any
task rated as ``unsatisfactory'' without direct supervision by the registered nurse
supervisor until after he or she receives training in the task for which he or she was
evaluated as ``unsatisfactory'' and passes a subsequent evaluation with ``satisfac-
tory.'' Each staff member shall review and sign a copy of his/her performance
evaluation and the agency shall maintain copies of same in the employee's person-
nel file;
(4) Position descriptions;
(5) Physical examination, including a tuberculin test and a physician's statement
that the employee is free from communicable diseases, must be prior to assignment
to patient care activities.
(b) For all employees employed directly or by contracts with individuals, the
agency shall maintain individual personnel records containing at least the following:
(1) Educational preparation and work experience;
(2) Current licensure, registration or certification;
(3) Written performance evaluations;
(4) Signed contract or letter of appointment specifying conditions of employment;
(5) Record of physical examination;
(6) Documentation of orientation
(c) For persons utilized via contract with another agency not licensed as a home
health care or homemaker-home health aide agency, the primary agency shall main-
tain records containing at least:
(1) A written verification of compliance with health examination requirements
and performance evaluation requirements;
(2) Current licensure, registration or certification of each individual utilized by
primary agency;
Sec. 19-13-D page 188 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D85
(3) A resume of educational preparation and work experience for each individual
utilized by the primary agency;
(4) The contract for services between the agencies.
(d) For persons utilized via contract with another licensed home health care or
homemaker-home health aide agency, the primary agency shall maintain records
on the education, training and/or related work experience of such persons.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D86. Service policies
(a) An agency shall have written policies governing referrals received, admission
of patients, delivery of services and discharge of patients. Such policies shall be
applicable to services provided by the agency, directly or under arrangement. A
copy shall be readily available to patients and staff and shall include but not be
limited to:
(1) Conditions of admission:
(A) An assessment of the patient and home shall be completed by the registered
nurse supervisor to determine that the patient can be cared for safely in the home
by a homemaker-home health aide;
(B) Plan for referral of patients not accepted for care;
(C) Following acceptance of a referral, any delay in the start of service shall
require prior notification to the patient. Such notification shall include the anticipated
start of service date and the agency's plan while the patient is on the waiting list;
(D) When circumstances require the services of a homemaker-home health aide
prior to an assessment of the patient and home by a registered nurse supervisor, the
factors necessitating delivery of services prior to an assessment and verification that
the patient's safety is assured shall be documented in the patient's record. Such
assessment shall be completed within twenty-four (24) hours of the initiation of
services;
(E) Establishment of a plan of care;
(F) Definition of the scope of agency, patient and, when appropriate, family
responsibilities for the services to be provided;
(G) Circumstances which render a patient ineligible for agency services, including
factors which make home care unsafe, the kinds of treatments an agency will not
accept, payment policy and limitations or conditions of admission, if any;
(H) The policies define agency responsibility, plan and procedures to be followed
to assure patient safety in the event patient services are interrupted for any reason.
(2) Delivery of services:
(A) Frequency and nature of professional registered nurse supervision of
patient situation;
(B) Review of original plan of care at least every sixty (60) days, or more often
depending on patient's condition;
(C) Coordination of agency services with all other facilities or agencies actively
involved in patient's care;
(D) Referral to appropriate agencies or sources of service for patients who have
need of care not provided by agency.
(E) Emergency plan and procedures to be followed to assure patient safety in
the event agency services are disrupted due to civil or natural disturbances, e.g., as
hurricanes, snowstorms, etc.
(3) Discharge from service:
(A) The agency shall have policies and plans which it shall follow for the
following discharge categories:
Sec. 19-13-D page 189 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D86
(i) Routine discharge which means termination of services when patient no longer
requires homemaker-home health aide service;
(ii) Emergency discharge which means termination of services due to the presence
of safety issues which place the patient and/or agency staff in immediate jeopardy
and prevent the agency from delivering homemaker-home health aide services;
(iii) Premature discharge which means termination of services when patient con-
tinues to require homemaker-home health aide services;
(iv) Financial discharge which means termination of services when the patient's
insurance benefits and/or financial resources have been exhausted.
(B) In the case of a routine discharge the agency shall provide:
(i) Pre-discharge planning by the registered nurse supervisor, which shall be
documented in patient's record.
(C) In the case of an emergency discharge, the registered nurse supervisor shall
immediately take all measures deemed appropriate to the situation to assure patient
safety. Written notification of action taken, including date and reason for emergency
discharge, shall be forwarded to the patient and/or patient representative, patient's
source of medical care as applicable, and any other agencies involved in the provision
of home health services within five (5) calendar days.
(D) In the case of a premature discharge, the agency shall document that prior
to the decision to discharge, a case review was conducted by the registered nurse
supervisor, administrator, patient's source of medical care as applicable, patient
and/or patient representative, and representation from any other agencies involved.
(i) Decision to continue service:
If the decision of the case review is to continue to provide service, a written
agreement shall be developed between the agency and the patient and/or patient
representative to identify the responsibilities of both in the continued delivery of
care for the patient. This agreement shall be signed by the agency administrator
and the patient and/or patient representative. A copy shall be placed in the patient's
record with copies to the patient and/or patient representative.
(ii) Decision to discharge from service:
If the case review results in the decision to discharge the patient from agency
services, the administrator shall notify the patient and/or patient representative, and
the patient's source of medical care as applicable, and any other agencies involved
in the provision of home health services, that services shall be discontinued in ten
(10) days and the patient shall be discharged from the agency. Services shall continue
in accordance with the patient's plan of care to assure patient safety until the effective
day of discharge. The agency shall inform the patient of other resources available
to provide homemaker-home health aide services. This discharge notice shall include
the patient's right to appeal this decision within the ten (10) day notice of discharge.
All patient appeals shall be reviewed by the agency's patient care advisory committee
with ten (10) days of receipt of the appeal to advise on the appropriateness of the
discharge or to recommend readmission and terms under which agency services
will be provided.
(E) In the case of a financial discharge, the agency shall conduct:
(i) Pre-termination Review: Whenever homemaker-home health aide services are
terminated because of exhaustion of insurance benefits or financial resources, at
least ten (10) days prior to such termination there shall be a review of need for
continuing homemaker-home health aide services by the patient, his family and/or
patient representative, the registered nurse supervisor, and the patient's source of
medical care as applicable, and other staff involved in the patient's care. This
Sec. 19-13-D page 190 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D86
determination and, when indicated, the plan developed for continuing care shall be
documented in the patient's record.
(ii) Post-termination Review: The records of each patient discharged because of
exhaustion of insurance benefits or financial resources shall be reviewed by the
patient care advisory committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting following
the discharge. The committee reviewing the record shall ensure that adequate post-
discharge plans have been made for each patient with continuing care needs.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D87. Plan of care
(a) A written plan of care for homemaker-home health aide service shall be
completed by the registered nurse supervisor in consultation with the patient, family
and others involved in care to the patient, within seven (7) days of the patient's
admission for services. The plan shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Initial assessment and reassement frequency;
(2) Documentation of patient's care needs;
(3) Goals of management;
(4) Written instructions for the homemaker-home health aide shall be completed
before the homemaker-home health aide provides any service to the patient. These
instructions shall include the scope and limitations of homemaker-home health aide
activities, pertinent aspects of patient's condition to be observed and reported to
the registered nurse supervisor, and name and telephone number of the registered
nurse supervisor;
(5) Plan for medical or other emergencies;
(6) Frequency of review and revision of care plan;
(7) Frequency of registered nurse supervision;
(8) Plan for registered nurse supervision of the homemaker-home health aide
including frequency and methods of insuring ongoing competence.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D88. Patient records
(a) An agency shall maintain a patient record system which includes, but is not
limited to:
(1) A written policy on the protection of records which defines procedures govern-
ing the use and removal of records, conditions for release of information contained
in the record and which requires authorization in writing by the patient for release
of appropriate information not otherwise authorized by law;
(2) A written policy which provides for the retention and storage of records for
at least seven (7) years from the date of the last service to the patient and which
provides for records retention and storage of such records in the event the agency
discontinues operation;
(3) A policy and procedure manual governing the records system and procedures
for all agency staff;
(4) Maintaining records on the agency's premises in lockable storage area(s).
(b) A record shall be developed for each patient which shall be filed in an
accessible area within the agency and which shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Identifying data (name, address, date of birth, sex, date of admission or read-
mission);
(2) Source of referral, including where applicable, name and type of institution
from which discharged and date of discharge;
(3) Assessment of the patient and home;
Sec. 19-13-D page 191 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D89
(4) Plan of care and written instructions for the homemaker-home health aide;
(5) Name, address and phone number of patient's source of medical care;
(6) Pertinent past and current health history;
(7) Documentation of the registered nurse supervisor activities and, when appro-
priate, other professional supervisor(s) activities related to patient care;
(8) Documentation of coordination of services with the patient, family and others
involved in the plan of care;
(9) Homemaker-home health aide notes which the registered nurse supervisor
shall review, shall be incorporated in the patient's record no less often than every
two (2) weeks;
(10) Discharge summary, if applicable.
(c) All notes and reports in the patient's record shall be typewritten or legibly
written in ink, dated and signed by the recording person with his full name, or first
initial, surname and title.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D89. Quality assurance program
(a) An agency shall have a written quality assurance program which shall include
but not be limited to:
(1) Program evaluation:
(2) Patient record review.
(b) The governing authority, or a committee appointed by the governing authority
and the patient care advisory committee shall conduct the program evaluation which
shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) The extent to which the agency's objectives, policies and resources are ade-
quate to maintain programs and services appropriate to community, patient and
family needs;
(2) The extent to which the agency's administrative practices and patterns for
delivery of services achieve efficient and effective community, patient and family
services in a five (5) year cycle.
(c) At least quarterly, the professional members of the patient care advisory
committee shall review a random sample of active and closed patient records. Each
record review shall be documented on a record review form and shall include, but
not be limited to verification, that:
(1) Agency policies are followed in the provision of services to patients and
families;
(2) Homemaker-home health aide services are utilized appropriately in relation
to agency resources and patient or family resources;
(3) Services are provided only to patients whose level of care needs can be safely
met by a homemaker-home health aide;
(4) Provision of care is coordinated within the agency and with other agencies
involved in the care of the patient or family.
(5) Referral of the patient to a home health care agency when the patient's status
and care needs are no longer limited to supportive services.
(d) An agency's sampling methodology shall be defined in its quality assurance
program policies and procedures. The sample of patient records reviewed each
quarter shall be according to the following ratios:
(1) Eighty (80) or less cases; eight (8) records;
(2) Eighty-one (81) or more cases; ten percent (10%) of caseload for the quarter
to maximum of twenty-five (25) records.
Sec. 19-13-D page 192 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D89
(e) An annual written report of the agency's quality assurance program shall
summarize all findings and recommendations resulting from the quality assurance
activities. This report and documentation of all actions or implementations on the
findings or recommendations included in the report shall be available to the commis-
sioner.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D90. Administrative organization and records
(a) An agency shall not be eligible for licensure until it demonstrates to the
satisfaction of the commissioner that complete authority and control of the agency's
operations is vested in a corporation chartered in or properly qualified to do business
in this state, or in a person or persons who will reside in this state during the period
of licensure. When an agency provides services through more than one office, the
organization, services, control and lines of authority and accountability between the
central office and the other office(s) shall be defined in writing. The central office
shall be licensed as a homemaker-home health aide agency in compliance with the
regulations and standards governing homemaker-home health aide agencies. When
patient care services are provided through other offices of the agency, each office
shall be in compliance with the regulations and standards, as specified herein,
governing registered nurse supervisor, services, service policies, plan of care, patient
records, patient bill of rights and responsibilities, and facilities. Weekend, holiday,
evening or night services may be provided through arrangement with one or more
other agencies but there shall be a written description of the organization, services
provided, lines of authority, responsibility and accountability between the agencies.
(b) Whenever services as defined in C.G.S. Section 19a-490 (d) or (e) are being
provided at the same time to the same patient by more than one agency licensed
to provide such services, there shall be:
(1) A written contract between the participating agencies which meets the require-
ments of Section 19-13-D84 of these regulations; or
(2) A written memo of understanding between the participating agencies or
documentation in the patient's record of the plan established between the participat-
ing agencies which defines assignment of primary responsibility for the patient's
care and methods of communication/coordination between the agencies so that all
information necessary to assure safe, coordinated care to the patients is accessible
and available to all participating agencies.
(c) An agency shall maintain compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances
of the State of Connecticut, the federal government and the town(s) served by
the agency.
(d) A copy of the policy and procedure manual shall be available to the staff at
all times.
(e) An agency shall prepare an annual statistical report on services rendered
which shall be submitted to the commissioner within ninety (90) days after the close
of the agency's fiscal year.
(f) An agency shall provide written information to the actual and potential con-
sumers of its services which accurately describes the service available, the fees for
services and any conditions for acceptance or termination of services which may
influence a consumer's decision to seek the services of the agency. The written
information shall include that the agency is not certified for provision of medicare
home health benefits.
(g) An agency shall provide consumer participation in the annual program evalua-
tion component of the quality assurance program.
Sec. 19-13-D page 193 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D92
(h) Administrative records, including all files, records and reports required by
these regulations, shall be maintained on the agency's premises and shall be accessi-
ble at any time to the commissioner. These records shall be retained for not less
than seven (7) years. There shall be a policy for retention and storage of these
records in the event the agency discontinues operation.
(i) An agency shall notify the commissioner immediately of an intent to discon-
tinue operations. In such event, an agency shall continue operations, maintain a
staff of administrator, registered nurse supervisor and essential homemaker-home
health aide personnel and fulfill all patient care obligations until an orderly transfer
of all patients to other sources of care has been completed to the commissioner's satis-
faction.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D91. Patient's bill of rights and responsibilities
An agency shall have a written bill of rights and responsibilities governing agency
services which shall be made available and explained to each patient and/or patient
representative at the time of admission. Such explanation shall be documented in
the patient's record. The Bill of Rights shall include but not be limited to:
(a) A description of available services, unit charges, and billing mechanisms;
any changes in such must be given to the patient orally and in writing as soon as
possible but no later than fifteen (15) working days from the date the agency becomes
aware of a change;
(b) Policy on uncompensated care;
(c) Criteria for admission to service and discharge from service;
(d) Information in advance regarding the right to participate in the planning of
the care to be furnished, the frequency of visits proposed and any changes in the
care to be furnished, the name of the person supervising the patient's care and the
manner in which that person may be contacted;
(e) Patient participation in the implementation of the plan of care;
(f) Right of the patient and/or patient representative to be fully informed of
patient's health condition, unless contra-indicated by the patient's source of medical
care in the clinical record;
(g) Right of the patient to have his or her property treated with respect;
(h) Explanation of confidential treatment of all patient information retained in
the agency and the requirement for written consent for release of information to
persons not otherwise authorized under law to receive it;
(i) Policy regarding patient access to the patient record;
(j) Explanation of grievance procedure and right to file grievance without discrim-
ination or reprisal from agency regarding care provided or failed to be provided,
or regarding the lack of respect for property by anyone providing agency services;
(k) Agency's responsibility to investigate complaints made by a patient, patient's
family or guardian regarding care provided or that fails to be provided and lack of
respect for the patient's property by anyone providing agency services. Agency
complaint log shall include date, nature and resolution of the complaint;
(l) Procedure for registering complaints with the commissioner.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Sec. 19-13-D92. Facilities
(a) An agency's central office or any other office(s) serving residents of Connecti-
cut shall be located within the State of Connecticut and be accessible to the public.
Sec. 19-13-D page 194 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D92
(b) An agency shall have a communication system adequate to receive requests
and referrals for service, maintain verbal contact with health service personnel at
all times when they are serving patients, receive calls from patients under the care
of the agency and maintain contact as needed with the patients source of medical
care as applicable and other providers of care.
(c) The facilities shall provide adequate and safe space for:
(1) Staff to carry out their normal pre and post visit activities;
(2) Supervisory conferences with staff;
(3) Conferencing with patients and their families;
(4) Storage and maintenance of equipment and supplies necessary for patient care;
(5) Maintaining administrative records and files, financial records, and patient
records in file cabinets which can be locked.
(Effective December 28, 1992)
Coordination, Assessment and Monitoring Agency
Licensure Regulations
Secs. 19-13-D93Ð19-13-D104.
Repealed, June 30, 1998.
Sec. 19-13-D105. Assisted living services agency
(a) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) ``Agency'' means assisted living services agency.
(2) ``Assisted living services'' for the purpose of this section only means nursing
services and assistance with activities of daily living provided to clients living within
a managed residential community having supportive services that encourage clients
primarily age fifty-five (55) or older to maintain a maximum level of independence.
Routine household services may be provided as assisted living services by the
assisted living services agency or by the managed residential community as defined
in subsection (a) (13). These services provide an alternative for elderly persons who
require some help or aid with activities of daily living as described in subsection
(a) (4) or nursing services in order to remain in their private residential units within
the managed residential community.
(3) ``Assisted living services agency'' means an entity that provides assisted
living services.
(4) ``Assisted living aide'' means an unlicensed person who has successfully
completed a training and competency evaluation program in accordance with Section
19-13-D8t (1), Section 19-13-D69 (d) (2) or Section 19-13-D83 (b) of the regulations
of Connecticut State Agencies. An assisted living aide may assist clients with one
or more of the following activities of daily living: ambulation, feeding, bathing,
dressing, grooming, toileting, oral hygiene, transfers, exercise and supervision of
self administration of medications.
(5) ``Client'' means the recipient of the assisted living services provided by
licensed nurses or assisted living aides.
(6) ``Client service program'' means a written schedule of assisted living services
to be provided to, reviewed with and agreed to by a client or client representative.
(7) ``Commissioner'' means the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health
and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's representative.
(8) ``Community'' means managed residential community.
(9) ``Core services'' means the services described in subsection (c) (3) of this
section which shall be made available in order for an assisted living services agency,
Sec. 19-13-D page 195 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
for the purpose of this section only, to provide services within a managed residen-
tial community.
(10) ``Department'' means the Connecticut Department of Public Health and
Addiction Services.
(11) ``Full time'' means on duty a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours per
workweek.
(12) ``Licensed nurse'' means a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
licensed under chapter 378 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(13) ``Managed residential community'' means a facility consisting of private
residential units that provides a managed group living environment, including hous-
ing and services primarily for persons age fifty-five (55) or older.
(14) ``Primary agency'' means an assisted living services agency that contracts
for the services of other organizations, agencies or individuals who provide care or
services to its clients.
(15) ``Private residential unit'' means a living environment belonging to a tenant(s)
that includes a full bathroom within the unit including a water closet, lavatory, tub
or shower bathing unit and access to facilities and equipment for the preparation
and storage of food.
(16) ``Self administration of medications'' means a client taking medication in
accordance with directions for use and includes:
(A) the client removing an individual dose from a container of medications that
have been ordered by a physician or health care practitioner with the statutory
authority to prescribe medications and dispensed by a pharmacy or purchased over-
the-counter by or under the direction of the client; or
(B) the client taking an individual or multiple dose(s) of medications that have
been prepared or prepoured by a licensed nurse, family member or significant other
and stored for client administration in the client's home.
(17) ``Tenant'' means a person who either owns, rents under a lease agreement
or otherwise contracts for the use of the home within a managed residential commu-
nity in which that person resides.
(b) Assisted living services agency
(1) If it is determined by the appropriate state agency that a certificate of need
is required to operate an assisted living services agency, the certificate of need shall
be a prerequisite to licensing.
(2) Application for licensure
(A) No person shall operate an assisted living services agency without a license
issued by the department in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, Section
19a-491.
(B) Application for the grant or renewal of a license to operate an assisted living
services agency shall be made to the department, in writing, on forms provided by
the department; shall be signed by the person seeking authority to operate the
service; shall be notarized; and shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the
following information:
(i) a list of the managed residential communities where assisted living services
shall be provided;
(ii) an affidavit attesting that assisted living services shall be provided only at
managed residential communities that have complied with the requirements of
subsection (c) of this section;
(iii) an affidavit attesting that assisted living services shall be provided on an
individual basis to clients who fully understand and agree to the provision of services
and are made aware of the costs involved prior to the initiation of such services;
Sec. 19-13-D page 196 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
(iv) the total number of employees, by category;
(v) the services provided;
(vi) evidence of financial viability to include a projected two (2) year budget,
with estimates of net income and expenditures, at the time of initial application;
(vii) a certificate of malpractice and public liability insurance;
(viii) a certificate of good standing, if applicable;
(ix) a statement of ownership and operation, to include, but not necessarily be
limited to the following information:
(a) the name and address of each owner and, if the agency is a corporation, all
ownership interests (direct or indirect) of ten percent (10%) or more; and
(b) the name and address of each officer, director and member of the govern-
ing authority;
(x) any relevant statistical information requested by the department;
(xi) the agent for service; and
(xii) a listing of the health care institutions or agencies owned or operated in
other states, at the time of initial application.
(C) The assisted living services agency shall notify the department of any changes
in the information provided in accordance with subparagraph (B)(i)(v)(vii)(viii)(ix)
and (xi) of this subdivision.
(3) Issuance and renewal of license
(A) Upon determination by the department that the assisted living services agency
is in compliance with chapter 368V of the Connecticut General Statutes and the
regulations thereunder pertaining to its licensure, the department shall issue a license
or renewal of license to operate the service for a period not to exceed two (2) years.
(B) Application for license renewal shall be made in accordance with subdivision
(2)(B) of this subsection not less than thirty (30) days preceding the date of expiration
of the agency's current license.
(C) A license shall be issued in the name of the entity that has submitted application
for the license.
(D) The license shall not be transferable to any other person, entity or service.
(E) Each license shall list on its face, the name of the licensee, the ``doing business
as'' name, the location(s) served and the date of issuance and expiration.
(F) The license shall be posted in the business office of the licensee.
(G) The licensee shall immediately notify the department in writing of any change
in the supervisor of the assisted living services agency.
(H) Any change in the ownership of an assisted living services agency, owned
by an individual, partnership or association or the change in ownership or beneficial
ownership of ten percent (10%) more of the stock of a corporation that owns,
conducts, operates or maintains such agency, shall be subject to prior approval of
the department. The licensee shall notify the department in writing of any such
proposed change of ownership, at least ninety (90) days prior to the effective date
of the proposed change.
(4) Suspension, revocation, denial, non-renewal or voluntary surrender of license.
(A) A license may be suspended, revoked, denied or its renewal refused whenever
in the judgment of the department the facility:
(i) fails to comply with applicable regulations prescribed by the commissioner
or statutes;
(ii) furnishes or makes any false or misleading statements to the department in
order to obtain or retain the license; or
Sec. 19-13-D page 197 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
(iii) provides assisted living services in a managed residential community that
fails to provide or arrange to make available the core services on a regular and
continual basis.
(B) In the event of the suspension, revocation, denial or non-renewal of a license,
the assisted living services agency shall have the opportunity for a hearing in
accordance with the contested case provisions of Chapter 54 of the Connecticut
General Statutes and Sections l9a-4-1 through 19a-4-31 of the regulations of Con-
necticut State Agencies, as applicable.
(C) Refusal to grant the department access to clients, records and staff of the agency
shall be grounds for suspension, revocation, denial or non-renewal of the license.
(D) Surrender of license. The licensee shall notify, in writing, each client receiving
services from the agency, the next of kin or legal representative, and any third party
payors concerned, at least thirty (30) days prior to the voluntary surrender of an
assisted living services agency license or surrender of license upon the department's
order of revocation, refusal to renew, or suspension of license. Arrangements shall
be made by the licensee for the continuation of care and services as required for
any individual client following the surrender of the agency's license. This notice
shall include at a minimum:
(i) a statement by the assisted living services agency identifying which services
shall no longer be provided to clients; and
(ii) information regarding other resources available to provide health care services
to clients.
(5) The assisted living services agency shall ensure that all of the core services
are provided. In the event that a managed residential community fails to provide
or arrange to make available one or more of the core services on a regular and
continual basis, the licensee shall terminate the provision of assisted living services
to the managed residential community. The department, each client receiving services
from the agency, the next of kin or legal representative and any third party payors
concerned shall be mailed written notice from the licensee at least thirty (30) days
prior to the termination of services. Arrangements shall be made by the licensee
for the continuation of care and services as required by any individual client following
termination of the assisted living service. In the event that the disruption of services
is temporary, alternative arrangements for the health and safety of the clients shall
be made immediately by the managed residential community, with full service
restored in not more than seven (7) days.
(6) The assisted living services agency shall maintain records of all temporary
service disruptions or the managed residential community's failure to provide core
services and shall record the length of disruptions and provision of alternative
arrangements.
(7) Waiver
(a) The commissioner in accordance with section 19a-6c of the Connecticut
General Statutes, may waive provisions of this section for assisted living services
agencies, only when such agencies provide services in state-funded congregate
housing facilities. No waiver of this section shall be made if the commissioner
determines that the waiver would:
(i) endanger the life, safety or health of any resident receiving assisted living
services in a state-funded congregate housing facility;
(ii) impact the quality or provision of services provided to a resident in a state-
funded congregate housing facility;
Sec. 19-13-D page 198 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
(iii) revise or eliminate the requirements for an assisted living services agency's
quality assurance program;
(iv) revise or eliminate the requirements for an assisted living services agency's
grievance and appeals process; or
(v) revise or eliminate the assisted living services agency's requirements relative
to a client's bill of rights and responsibilities.
(B) The commissioner, upon the granting or renewing of a waiver of any provision
of this section, may impose conditions, which assure the health, safety, and welfare
of residents receiving assisted living services in a state-funded congregate housing
facility. The commissioner may revoke such waiver upon a finding:
(i) that the health, safety, or welfare of any patient has been jeopardized; or
(ii) that such facility or agency has failed to comply with such conditions as the
commissioner may impose pursuant to this subparagraph.
(C) Any agency requesting a waiver shall apply in writing to the department.
Such application shall include:
(i) the specific regulations for assisted living service agencies for which the waiver
is requested;
(ii) reasons for requesting a waiver, including a statement of the type and degree
of any hardship that would result to the agency upon enforcement of the regulations;
(iii) the specific relief requested;
(iv) reasons that the waiver would not endanger the life, safety or health of any
resident or negatively impact the quality or provision of services to residents; and
(v) any documentation which supports the application for waiver.
(D) Waiver applications shall by signed by a person authorized to bind the agency
and shall be notarized.
(E) In consideration of any application for waiver, the commissioner shall consider
the following:
(i) the maximum resident capacity;
(ii) the impact of a waiver on care provided; and
(iii) alternative policies or procedures proposed.
(F) Waivers shall be granted for a period of no more than two (2) years. An
agency shall reapply in writing to the department in order to renew such waiver at
least sixty (60) days in advance of the expiration date of the current waiver.
(G) If the commissioner, upon the granting of a waiver, imposes any conditions
to ensure the health, safety and welfare of residents, the agency shall acknowledge
in writing his or her agreement to abide by such conditions.
(H) The department reserves the right to request additional information before
processing an application for waiver.
(c) Managed residential communities served by assisted living services
agencies
(1) Assisted living services may not be provided in a managed residential commu-
nity unless the managed residential community has notified the department either
in writing or by telephone of its intention to provide or arrange to make available
licensed assisted living services and has submitted all information as required in
this subsection and until the assisted living services agency has been issued a license
to operate by the department. The information shall be provided to the department
on forms provided by the department, shall be signed by the owner(s) or the
operating or managing entity and shall be notarized. The form(s) shall include the
following information:
Sec. 19-13-D page 199 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
(A) evidence of compliance with local zoning ordinances, local building codes
and the Connecticut Fire Safety Code and Supplement;
(B) name of the management company or manager, as appropriate;
(C) legal entity that owns or operates the managed residential community;
(D) description of the manner in which tenants are advised that the managed
residential community is not licensed by the department;
(E) description of the information provided to tenants informing them of the
assisted living services and home health care services available for individual use
and how to access itemized costs of services delivered by these providers;
(F) person to whom official notices are to be sent;
(G) name of the assisted living services agencies; and
(H) attestation that the core services described in subdivision (3) of this subsection
are made available and are accessible on a regular and continual basis to those
tenants who choose to use such core services.
(2) Upon receipt of the form(s) by the department, the department shall notify
the managed residential community in writing within thirty (30) days that either
the managed residential community's form(s) is complete and shall be maintained on
file in the department or that the information submitted was incorrect or incomplete.
(3) A managed residential community shall provide or arrange to make available
the following core services to its tenants who choose to use any or all of the
core services:
(A) regularly scheduled meal service for three (3) meals per day;
(B) regularly scheduled laundry service for personal laundry and linens;
(C) regularly scheduled transportation for personal shopping, social and recre-
ational events, health care appointments and similar needs and for which public bus
transportation shall not qualify as the only form of transportation;
(D) regularly scheduled housekeeping services;
(E) maintenance service for tenants' living units, including chore services for
routine domestic tasks that the tenant is unable to perform; and
(F) programs of social and recreational opportunities.
(4) A managed residential community shall also provide:
(A) a formally established program that provides tenants with twenty-four (24)
hour a day security designed to protect tenants from intruders;
(B) an emergency call system in each living unit;
(C) on-site washers and dryers sufficient to meet the needs of the tenants; and
(D) common use space that is sufficient in size to accommodate fifty percent
(50%) of the tenant population.
(5) The managed residential community shall employ an on-site service coordina-
tor who reports directly to the operating or managing entity or the administrator of
the managed residential community.
(A) The service coordinator shall possess at a minimum a bachelor's degree in
social work or in a related human service field. Individuals without a bachelor's
degree may be hired if they have an associate's degree in social work or in a related
human service field and two (2) years of experience in a social service delivery
system dealing with issues and coordinating services related to persons primarily
age fifty-five (55) or older. Individuals without a bachelor's degree or an associate's
degree may be hired if they have four (4) years of experience in a social service
delivery system dealing with issues and coordinating services related to persons
primarily age fifty-five (55) or older. The service coordinator should have prior
supervisory or management experience. Any person employed as a service coordina-
Sec. 19-13-D page 200 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
tor prior to December 1, 1994 shall be eligible to continue in the facility of employ-
ment without restriction.
(B) Responsibilities of the service coordinator shall include, but not necesarily
be limited to:
(i) ensuring that the services required by this subsection are provided or made
available to all tenants;
(ii) assisting tenants in making arrangements to meet their personal needs;
(iii) establishing collaborative relations with provider agencies, support services
and community resources.
(iv) establishing a tenant council, ensuring that a private space is provided to the
group for meetings and providing assistance and responding to written requests that
result from group meetings;
(v) serving as an ongoing liaison with the assisted living services agencies to
include liaison with the assisted living services agencies' quality assurance commit-
tee as required in subsection ( l) of this section;
(vi) ensuring that a tenant information system is in place; and
(vii) developing a written plan for the delegation of responsibilities and functions
in the absence of the service coordinator.
(C) A service coordinator's absence of longer than one (1) month shall be reported
to any assisted living services agencies servicing the community.
(6) The managed residential community, through its service coordinator or any
other representative, may not provide health services, including but not limited to
the provision of rehabilitative therapy, administration or supervision of the self-
administration of medications, nursing care or medical treatment, unless it has been
licensed as an assisted living services agency. It may contract with one or more
assisted living services agencies, home health care agencies, or other appropriately
licensed health care providers to make available health services for tenants provided
by such licensed persons or entities.
(7) Managed residential communities may not require tenants to share units.
Sharing of a unit shall be permitted solely upon the request and mutual consent
of tenants.
(8) The owner or operating entity shall notify the department and any assisted
living services agency that provides services to tenants of the managed residential
community, in writing, of any proposed change of ownership or operating entity or
elimination of core services at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of
such proposed change.
(9) The owner or operating entity shall immediately notify any assisted living
services agencies servicing the community of any change in the service coordinator.
(10) The managed residential community shall provide the department with
unrestricted access to the community, tenants and tenant related documents.
(11) The managed residential community shall notify, in writing, each tenant
concerned, the next of kin or legal representative, any third party payers concerned
and any assisted living services agency servicing the community at least thirty (30)
days prior to the voluntary elimination of its status as a managed residential commu-
nity and immediately upon the department's order of revocation, refusal to renew
or suspension of license of the assisted living services agency. This notice shall
include at a minimum:
(A) a statement by the managed residential community identifying which core
services and assisted living services shall no longer be provided to tenants and
clients; and
Sec. 19-13-D page 201 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
(B) information regarding other resources available to tenants and clients to
provide health care services.
(d) Governing authority of an assisted living services agency
(1) There shall be a formal governing authority with full legal authority and
responsibility for the operation of the agency, which shall be the officers and directors
of the corporation, and which shall adopt bylaws or rules that are reviewed in
accordance with a schedule established by the governing authority and so dated.
Such bylaws or rules shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(A) the purpose of the agency;
(B) a delineation of the powers, duties and voting procedures of the governing
authority, its officers and committees;
(C) the qualifications for membership, method of selection and terms of office
of members and chairpersons of committees;
(D) a description of the authority delegated to the supervisor of the assisted living
services agency;
(E) the agency's conflict of interest policy and procedures;
(F) assurances that a written contract shall be maintained with one or more
licensed home health care agencies if the licensed home health care agencies are
not owned and operated by the managed residential community; and
(G) assurances that a written contract shall be maintained with one or more
licensed assisted living services agencies if the agencies are not owned and operated
by the managed residential community.
(2) The bylaws or rules shall be available to all members of the governing authority
and all individuals to whom authority is delegated.
(3) The governing authority shall:
(A) meet as frequently as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities as stated in
subdivision (4) of this subsection, but no less than two (2) times per year;
(B) maintain minutes for each meeting;
(C) ensure that minutes reflect the identity of those members in attendance and
that, following approval, such minutes are dated and signed by the secretary; and
(D) ensure that the minutes of any of its meetings or any of its committees are
available at any time to the commissioner.
(4) Responsibilities of the governing authority shall include, but not necessarily
be limited to:
(A) ensuring the quality of services provided by the agency and the quality of
care rendered to clients;
(B) establishing a quality assurance program in accordance with subsection ( l)
of this section;
(C) selecting and appointing a quality assurance committee;
(D) reviewing and accepting all minutes of meetings held by the quality assurance
committee and assuring the implementation of corrective actions identified in
these minutes;
(E) adopting and documenting the annual review of the written agency budget;
(F) developing policies and programs and delegating the authority to implement
policies and programs;
(G) managing the fiscal affairs of the agency;
(H) establishing a schedule for the review of its bylaws or rules;
(I) establishing a schedule for the submission of the reports described in subsection
(g) (2) (G) and (H) of this section to the governing authority;
Sec. 19-13-D page 202 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
(J) ensuring that a written contract is maintained between the assisted living
services agency and one or more licensed home health care agencies or the managed
residential community and one or more licensed home health care agencies unless
the assisted living services agency operates under common ownership with the
licensed home health care agencies that serve the same managed residential commu-
nity; and
(K) ensuring that a written contract to include provisions that the assisted living
services agency shall monitor the provision of core services to determine if the
services are being provided on a regular and continual basis, is maintained between
the assisted living services agency and the managed residential community unless
the licensed assisted living services agency is under common ownership with the
managed residential community.
(5) If an assisted living services agency is owned by or is under common or
related ownership with the managed residential communities it serves or a licensed
home care agency serving such communities, the governing authority of the related
managed residential community or licensed home health care agency may serve as
the governing authority of the assisted living services agency provided that the
requirements of this subsection are met and minutes of meetings clearly identify
discussions related to the assisted living services agency.
(e) General requirements for an assisted living services agency
(1) An agency shall be in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local
laws and regulations.
(2) An assisted living services agency, as defined in this section, shall only provide
services to individuals residing in a managed residential community.
(3) Any assisted living services agency which contracts individually with a tenant
of a managed residential community and is not under contract with the community
shall comply with this section.
(4) Each agency shall have a designated office on the site of the managed
residential community. This office shall provide adequate and safe space for:
(A) conferences with clients and their families;
(B) staff to carry out pre and post client visit activities;
(C) supervisory conferences with staff;
(D) storage and maintenance of equipment and supplies necessary to provide
client services in an area, that may be separate from the business office; and
(E) maintenance of administrative records and files, financial records and client
service records in locked file cabinets or an area that can be locked.
(5) Contracted services. Assisted living services agencies may contract with other
organizations, agencies or individuals to provide the services defined in subsections
(h) and (i) of this section to their clients. Services provided by the primary agency
through arrangements with a contracted agency or individuals(s) shall be set forth
in either a written contract or a written memorandum of understanding between
participating agencies. The provisions set forth in this subdivision shall also apply
when services are being provided at the same time to the same client by more than one
(1) agency licensed to provide such services. The contract or written memorandum of
understanding shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(A) a statement that clearly defines the assignment of primary responsibility for
the client's care;
(B) the methods of communication and coordination between agencies to ensure
that all information necessary for safe, coordinated care to clients is accessible and
available to all participating agencies;
Sec. 19-13-D page 203 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
(C) the necessity to conform with all applicable primary agency policies, including
personnel qualifications and staffing patterns; and
(D) the responsibility of participating agencies in developing and implementing
the client service program.
(6) Each assisted living services agency shall have a communication system
adequate to receive requests and referrals for service, maintain verbal contact with
health service personnel at all times when they are providing services to clients,
receive calls from clients under the care of the agency and tenants residing in the
community and maintain contact as needed with the client's source of medical care
and other providers of care, if applicable.
(7) Assisted living services, including nursing services and assistance with activi-
ties of daily living, may be provided to clients with chronic and stable conditions
as determined by a physician or health care practitioner with applicable statutory
authority at least on an annual basis and as needed. Chronic and stable conditions
are not limited to medical or physical conditions, but also include chronic and stable
mental health and cognitive conditions. The determination shall be made in writing
and maintained in the client's service record.
(8) Each agency shall establish written criteria for admission to assisted living
services. The criteria shall not impose unreasonable restrictions which screen out a
client whose needs may be met by the agency.
(9) Each agency shall develop written policies for the discharge of clients from
the agency. Agency discharge policies shall define categories for the discharge of
clients and shall include but not necessarily be limited to:
(A) Change in client's condition. Termination of services when the client's condi-
tion is no longer chronic and stable;
(B) Routine discharge. Termination of services when goals of care have been
met and the client no longer requires assisted living services;
(C) Emergency discharge. Termination of services due to the presence of safety
issues which place the client or agency staff in immediate jeopardy and prevent the
agency from delivering assisted living services;
(D) Financial discharge. Termination of services when the client's insurance
benefits or financial resources have been exhausted; and
(E) Premature discharge. Termination of services when goals of care have not
been met and the client continues to require assisted living services.
(10) Clients and other responsible parties shall be informed when their individual
care and service needs may qualify for reimbursement by a third party payor. A
summary of the information provided to the client shall be documented in the client
service record and shall be signed and dated by the supervisor of assisted living
services or his or her designee as well as by the client or the client's representative.
(11) Each agency shall develop and have readily available a policy and procedure
to address the appropriate steps to follow in the event of a medical emergency. A
review of the policy and procedure shall be included in the employee orientation
program.
(12) Each agency shall establish a written complaint procedure regarding the
provision of care and services, any allegations of physical or mental abuse or
exploitation or the lack of respect for a client's property by anyone providing agency
services including, but not necessarily limited to:
(A) a statement that a client or his or her family has the right to file a complaint
without discrimination or reprisal from the agency;
Sec. 19-13-D page 204 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
(B) the manner in which the agency shall address the complaint with the client
or his or her family including a full investigation into the complaint; and
(C) provisions to ensure that the agency shall promptly attempt to resolve com-
plaints.
(13) The agency shall maintain a complaint log which shall include, but not
necessarily be limited to the name of the client and the date, nature and resolution
of the complaint. The log shall be available to the department upon its request.
(14) The agency shall apprise the client of his or her right to access the appropriate
state agency should the complaint not be resolved to the client's satisfaction.
(f) Personnel policies for an assisted living services agency
(1) An agency shall have written personnel policies which shall include but not
necessarily be limited to the following:
(A) Each agency shall have an orientation policy and procedure for all employees
which shall include but not necessarily be limited to the following:
(i) organizational structure of the agency and philosophy of assisted living services;
(ii) agency client services policies and procedures;
(iii) agency personnel policies;
(iv) applicable regulations governing the delivery of assisted living services; and
(v) orientation dates, content, and name and title of the person providing the
orientation as documented in the employee's personnel folder.
(B) Each agency shall have an in-service education policy that provides an annual
average of at least one (1) hour bimonthly for each assisted living aide.
(i) The in-service education shall include, but not necessarily be limited to current
information regarding specific service procedures and techniques and information
related to the population being served.
(ii) The in-service education program shall be provided by or under the supervision
of the supervisor of assisted living services or a designated licensed nurse who
possesses a minimum of two (2) years of full time or full time equivalent experience
in nursing, at least one (1) year of which shall be in a home health care agency or
community health program that included care of the sick at home.
(iii) An assisted living services agency that utilizes an aide from a placement
agency or nursing pool shall maintain sufficient documentation to demonstrate that
in-service education requirements are met.
(iv) A nursing home or home health care agency having the same ownership as,
or under common or related ownership with, as assisted living services agency may
provide joint in-service education programs for all aides, provided that records of
such in-services clearly reflect content, attendance and work location.
(v) An assisted living services agency may contract with a home health care
agency or nursing home to provide in-service education to its assisted living aides
in accordance with this section.
(C) Each agency shall have a policy and procedure for the annual performance
evaluation of employees which includes a process for corrective action when an
employee receives an unsatisfactory performance evaluation.
(D) Agency personnel policies and procedures shall include written job descrip-
tions that specify the duties and qualifications of each job.
(E) Agency policies and procedures shall address documentation by a physician
or health care practitioner with applicable statutory authority of annual physical
examinations, including tuberculin testing, that are performed for the purpose of
preventing infection or contagion from communicable disease. A statement that the
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Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
employee is free from communicable disease, including results of the tuberculin
testing, shall be obtained prior to assignment to client care activities.
(2) For all employees of the agency employed directly or via individual or agency
contracts, the agency shall maintain individual personnel records containing at least
the following:
(A) educational preparation and work experience;
(B) written verification of successful completion of a home health aide training
and competency evaluation program or a competency evaluation program approved
by the commissioner in accordance with Section 19-13-D8t ( l), Section 19-13-D69
(d) (2) or Section 19-13-D83 (b) of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies,
if applicable;
(C) current licensure, if applicable;
(D) written annual performance evaluations;
(E) record of health examinations; and
(F) documentation of orientation.
(3) For persons utilized via contract with another assisted living services agency,
a home health care agency, homemaker-home health aide agency or nursing pool,
the assisted living services agency shall ensure it has access to the personnel records
required in subdivision (2) of this subsection and shall make the documents available
to the department upon its request.
(4) An assisted living services agency owned by, or under common or related
ownership with, a nursing home or home health care agency, may maintain one (1)
personnel file for each employee or independent contractor utilized by the nursing
home or home health care agency and the assisted living services agency.
(g) Supervisor of assisted living services
(1) The supervisor of assisted living services shall be a registered nurse licensed
to practice in this state who has one of the following:
(A) a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a minimum of two (2) years full time
or full time equivalent clinical experience in nursing, at least one (1) of which shall
be in a home health care agency or community health program that included care
of the sick at home; or
(B) a diploma or associate's degree in nursing and at least four (4) years full
time or full time equivalent clinical experience in nursing within the past ten (10)
years, at least one (1) year of which shall be in a home health care agency or
community health program that included care of the sick at home.
(2) The supervisor's responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to:
(A) coordinating and managing all nursing and assisted living aide services
rendered to clients by direct service staff under his or her supervision;
(B) supervising assigned nursing personnel and assisted living aides in the delivery
of nursing services and assistance with the provision of activities of daily living;
(C) ensuring the evaluation of the clinical competence of assigned nursing person-
nel and assisted living aides;
(D) participating in or developing all agency objectives, standards of care, policies
and procedures concerning nursing services and the provision of assistance with
activities of daily living;
(E) participating in direct service staff recruitment, selection, orientation and in-
service education;
(F) participating in program planning, budgeting and evaluating activities related
to the clinical services provided by the agency;
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Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
(G) providing weekly reports to the service coordinator regarding any problems
associated with the provision of the core services, or any problems or concerns
associated with the managed residential community or the assisted living services
agency, summaries of which shall be provided to the governing authority in accord-
ance with the schedule established by the governing authority; and
(H) providing monthly reports to the service coordinator regarding statistical data
including the number of clients served and services provided, summaries of which
shall be provided to the governing authority in accordance with the schedule estab-
lished by the governing authority.
(3) The supervisor of assisted living services may provide direct nursing services
to clients in accordance with subsection (h) of this section.
(4) Any absence of the supervisor of assisted living services longer than one (1)
month shall be reported to the commissioner. A registered nurse with a minimum
of two (2) years full time or full time equivalent clinical experience in nursing, at
least one (1) year of which shall be in a home health care agency or community
health program that included care of the sick at home, shall be designated, in writing,
to act during any absence of the supervisor of assisted living services.
(h) Nursing Services provided by an assisted living services agency
(1) An assisted living services agency shall have written policies governing the
delivery of nursing services.
(2) Nursing services shall be provided by licensed nurses in accordance with
subparagraph (J) of subdivision (3) of this subsection.
(3) A registered nurse shall be responsible for the following which shall be
documented in the client's service record:
(A) admission of clients for service;
(B) development of the client service program and instructions for assisted living
aide services;
(C) assessments, completed as often as necessary based on the client's condition
but not less frequently than every one hundred and twenty (120) days, and prompt
action when a change in the client's condition would require a change in the client's
service program;
(D) coordination of services with the client, family, and other appropriate individu-
als involved in the client service program;
(E) participation in orientation, teaching, and supervision of assisted living aides;
(F) arrangements for training or supervision of the assisted living aide by other
professionals, when appropriate;
(G) referral to appropriate professionals or agencies, whenever the client's condi-
tion necessitates, including the provision of current clinical information ensuring
that if the client's condition is no longer chronic and stable, services of a licensed
home health care agency are engaged or other appropriate arrangements are made;
(H) planning for clients who shall no longer receive or require the services of
the assisted living services agency;
(I) implementation or delegation of responsibility for the availability of nursing
services on a twenty-four (24) hour basis;
(J) nursing services which shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(i) client teaching;
(ii) wellness counselling;
(iii) health promotion;
(iv) disease prevention;
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Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
(v) medication administration and delegation of supervision of self-administered
medications as specified in subdivision (4) of this subsection; and
(vi) provision of care and services to clients whose conditions are chronic and
stable as defined in subdivision (7) of subsection (e).
(4) Supervision of medication administration by an assisted living service agency
shall be provided in accordance with the following:
(A) A licensed nurse may administer medications to clients under the written
order of a physician or health care practitioner with applicable statutory authority.
(B) A licensed nurse may pre-pour medications for clients who are able to
self-administer medications, under the written order of a physician or health care
practitioner with applicable statutory authority.
(C) With the approval of the client or his or her representative an assisted living
aide may supervise a client's self-administration of medications. The aide shall only:
(i) remind a client to self administer the medications;
(ii) verify that a client has self administered their medications; or
(iii) assist the client with the self administration in the form of opening bottles,
bubble packs or other forms of packaging if the client is not capable of performing
this function.
(D) For clients who require only supervision of self-administration, a registered
nurse may verbally verify the client's medication regimen with the client's physician
or health care practitioner with applicable statutory authority and document the
medication regime in the client's service record.
(E) The registered nurse shall verify written or verbal orders from the physician
or health care practitioner with applicable statutory authority as needed, but at least
once every one hundred and twenty (120) days.
(F) All medications shall be stored within a client's private residential unit.
(G) A licensed nurse shall ensure that the client or his or her representative is
aware of the client's medication regime and able to make decisions regarding
medication administration.
(i) Assisted living aide services provided by an assisted living services agency
(1) An assisted living services agency shall have written policies governing the
delivery of services by an assisted living aide.
(2) Any person who furnishes assisted living services on behalf of an assisted
living services agency shall have successfully completed a training and competency
evaluation program in accordance with Section 19-13-D8t ( l), Section 19-13-D69
(d) (2) or Section 19-13-D83 (b) of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies,
and shall have completed ten (10) hours of orientation prior to providing any direct
client care service. This orientation shall be provided by the supervisor of assisted
living services or a licensed nurse designated by the supervisor.
(3) When designated by the licensed nurse responsible for a client's care and
services, the duties of the assisted living aide may include:
(A) assisting the client with personal care activities including bathing, oral hygiene,
feeding, dressing, toileting and grooming;
(B) assisting the client with exercises, ambulation, transfer activities and supervi-
sion of self-administered medication; and
(C) performing routine household services essential to client care at home, includ-
ing shopping, meal preparation, laundry and housecleaning.
(4) An assisted living services agency is not required to provide the services
described in subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of this subsection. These services
may be provided by an assisted living aide or any other person.
Sec. 19-13-D page 208 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
(5) Supervision of assisted living aides
(A) A registered nurse shall be accessible by telephone and available to make a
home visit at all times, including nights, weekends and holidays, when assisted
living aides are on assignment in a client's home.
(B) The licensed nurse assigned to the client is responsible for supervision of the
services rendered by the assisted living aide.
(j) Assisted living services agency staffing requirements
(1) An assisted living services agency shall appoint, with the written approval of
the governing authority, a supervisor of assisted living services and a designee, as
described in subsection (g) of this section.
(2) An assisted living services agency shall employ or contract with at least one
(1) registered nurse in addition to the supervisor of assisted living services. This
registered nurse may serve as the designee in the absence of the supervisor and
shall be available to provide relief for the supervisor as needed.
(3) The agency shall employ a supervisor of assisted living services to be on site
as follows:
(A) at least twenty (20) hours per week for each ten (10) or less full time or full
time equivalent licensed nurses or assisted living aides; or
(B) at least forty (40) hours per week for each twenty (20) or less full time or
full time equivalent licensed nurses or assisted living aides.
(4) In addition to the supervisor of assisted living services, the agency shall be
staffed with licensed nurses at least ten (10) hours per week for each additional ten
(10) or less full time or full time equivalent assisted living aides.
(5) The supervisor of assisted living services shall be responsible for ensuring
that licensed nurse staffing is adequate at all times to meet client needs.
(6) All registered nurses shall be supervised directly by the supervisor of assisted
living services.
(7) All licensed practical nurses shall be supervised by the supervisor of assisted
living services or a registered nurse designated by said supervisor.
(8) An assisted living services agency shall designate a registered nurse to be on
call twenty-four (24) hours a day. The on-call registered nurse shall have two (2)
years of full time or full time equivalent clinical experience in nursing, at least one
(1) year of which shall be in a home health care agency or community health
program that included care of the sick at home. The on-call registered nurse may
be the supervisor of assisted living services or another registered nurse as specified
in this section. An assisted living services agency may contract for on-call registered
nurse services with a licensed home health care agency. The on-call nurse shall be
reachable by telephone and shall be available to make an on-site visit, if necessary
in order to:
(A) respond to the assisted living aides during the provision of care to clients; and
(B) respond to client emergencies.
(9) In an assisted living services agency that serves no more than thirty (30)
clients on a daily basis, one (1) individual may serve as both the supervisor of
assisted living services and the service coordinator, as described in subdivision (5)
of subsection (C) of this section, provided that the assisted living services agency
is owned by, or under common or related ownership with the management of
the managed residential community. The minimum qualifications required for the
supervisor of assisted living services shall be sufficient to meet the minimum
qualifications required for these shared positions. In the event that the monthly
Sec. 19-13-D page 209 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
average of clients served per day exceeds thirty (30) for two (2) consecutive months,
the agency shall not qualify for the sharing of the positions.
(10) The supervisor of assisted living services shall be responsible for ensuring
that sufficient numbers of assisted living aides are available to meet the needs of
clients at all times based on the clients' service programs.
(k) Client service record
(1) Each assisted living services agency shall maintain a complete service record
for each client. All parts of the record pertinent to the daily care and treatment of
the client shall be located in an accessible area on the campus of the managed
residential community. The agency shall use a format that shall be provided by
the department.
(2) The complete client service record shall include, but not necessarily be lim-
ited to:
(A) client identifying data including name, date of birth, sex, date of admission
or readmission, marital status, and religion;
(B) name of family member or significant other, including address and tele-
phone number;
(C) name, location and phone number of client's personal physician or source of
medical care;
(D) complete medical diagnoses;
(E) all initial and subsequent orders by the physician or health care practitioner
with applicable statutory authority, if applicable;
(F) assessment of the client including pertinent past and current health history,
physical, mental and social status, and evaluation of client's needs;
(G) annual and other certifications by a physician or health care practitioner with
applicable statutory authority of the client's chronic and stable condition;
(H) a client service program, completed by a registered nurse in consultation with
the client, family and others involved in the care of the client, within seven (7) days
of the client's admission to the agency, which shall be reviewed as often as the
client's condition requires but not less than once every one hundred and twenty
(120) days, shall be explained to, reviewed with and agreed to by the client or his
or her representative, shall reflect the client's or his or her representative's or
family's preferences and choices regarding client services, and shall include but not
necessarily be limited to:
(i) identification of client's problems and needs;
(ii) goals of management, plans for intervention and implementation;
(iii) types and frequency of services and equipment required;
(iv) types and frequency of services to be provided by the client's family or
informal support system;
(v) medications to be self-administered with supervision or administered by a
licensed nurse, treatments and other required nursing services;
(vi) written instructions for the assisted living aide which shall be completed
before the assisted living aide provides care and services to include the scope and
limitations of the assisted living aide's activities and pertinent aspects of the client's
condition to be observed and reported to the registered nurse; and
(vii) frequency and plan for registered nurse supervision of the assisted living
aides, including methods of ensuring ongoing competence of the assisted living aide;
(I) nurses notes including changes in client conditions and notification of appro-
priate source of medical care, family member or significant other, treatments, and
responses to such treatments;
Sec. 19-13-D page 210 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
(J) a record of medications administered, including medications pre-poured for
the client or medications refused by the client;
(K) documentation of coordination of services with the client, family, and others
involved in the client service program;
(L) documentation of all care and services rendered, including assisted living
aide notes which have been reviewed by the registered nurse; and
(M) referrals and discharge summary, if applicable.
(3) Upon a client's referral to a home health care agency, the name of the agency
to which the client was referred and a summary of the reason(s) for the referral
shall be documented in the client record including the staff person contacted and
the date of contact with the agency.
(4) Upon a client's resumption of services by an assisted living services agency,
a summary of the care and services provided to the client by the home health care
agency shall be documented in the client record.
(5) All entries in the client service record shall be typewritten or written in ink
and legible. All entries shall be verified according to accepted professional standards.
(6) Client service records shall be safeguarded against loss, destruction or unautho-
rized use.
(7) All client service records, originals or copies, shall be preserved for at least
seven (7) years following death or discharge of the client from the assisted living
services agency.
(8) Client records shall be confidential. Written consent shall be obtained from
the client prior to the release of information to persons not otherwise authorized
under law to receive said information.
(l) Quality assurance program for an assisted living service agency
(1) There shall be a quality assurance committee, appointed by the governing
authority, consisting of at least one (1) physician, one (1) registered nurse with a
minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience in home health care or one (1)
nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing and one (1) social worker with a bachelor's
degree in social work or in a related human service field. Representatives appointed
to the committee shall be in active practice in their profession or shall have been
in active practice within the last five (5) years. No member of the quality assurance
committee shall be an owner, stockholder, employee of the agency or related by
blood or marriage to an owner, stockholder or employee of the agency. However,
provision may be made for employees to serve on the committee as ex officio
members only, without voting powers. The service coordinator of a managed residen-
tial community may be appointed to serve as the social worker for the assisted
living services agency's quality assurance committee provided that the agency is
not owned by, or under common or related ownership with the managed residen-
tial community.
(2) The quality assurance committee shall meet at least once every one hundred
and twenty (120) days.
(3) Written minutes shall document dates of meetings, attendance, and recommen-
dations. The minutes shall be presented and acted on at the next regular meeting
of the governing authority of the agency following the quality assurance committee
meeting. These minutes shall be available to the department upon its request.
(4) The professional advisory committee of a home health care agency that owns,
or is under common or related ownership with, an assisted living services agency
may also serve as the quality assurance committee for the assisted living services
Sec. 19-13-D page 211 (4-02)
Department of Public Health § 19-13-D105
agency, provided that minutes and other records clearly distinguish committee
activities.
(5) The functions of the quality assurance committee shall be to participate in
the agency's quality assurance program to the extent defined in the quality assurance
program policies and to, at least annually, review and revise, if necessary, the
agency's policies on:
(A) program evaluation;
(B) assessment and referral criteria;
(C) service records;
(D) evaluation of client satisfaction;
(E) personnel qualifications;
(F) standards of care; and
(G) professional issues, especially as they relate to the delivery of services and
findings of the quality assurance program.
(6) Each agency shall have a written quality assurance program which shall
include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(A) program evaluation; and
(B) client record review.
(7) The quality assurance committee shall conduct the program evaluation, which
shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(A) the extent to which the managed residential community's policies and
resources are adequate to maintain core services on a regular and continual basis
and are appropriate to the community tenants and family needs; and
(B) the extent to which the agency's objectives, policies and resources, are
adequate to meet health and personal care needs of the managed residential commu-
nity tenants, including referral to other health care services agencies or professionals,
as appropriate.
(8) At least every one hundred and twenty (120) days, the quality assurance
committee shall review a random sample of active and closed client records. Each
record review shall be documented on a record review form and shall include, but
not necessarily be limited to verification that:
(A) agency policies are followed in the provision of services to clients;
(B) services are provided only to clients whose level of care needs can be met
by an assisted living services agency;
(C) provision of care is coordinated within the agency involved in the care of
the client; and
(D) referral of the client is made to a home health care agency or other services
of care or health care professionals when the client's status and care needs are no
longer limited to the services provided by an assisted living services agency.
(9) The agency's sampling methodology for reviewing client records shall be
defined in its quality assurance program policies and procedures.
(10) An annual written report of the agency's quality assurance program shall
summarize all findings and recommendations resulting from the quality assurance
activities. This report and documentation of all actions taken as a result of the findings
or recommendations included in the report shall be available to the department.
(m) Client's bill of rights and responsibilities.An assisted living services agency
shall have a written bill of rights and responsibilities governing agency services
which shall be provided and explained to each client at the time of admission to
the agency. Such explanation shall be documented in the client's service record.
Sec. 19-13-D page 212 (4-02)
Department of Public Health§ 19-13-D105
All clients shall receive a written copy of any changes made to the bill of rights.
The bill of rights shall include but not necessarily be limited to:
(1) description of available services, charges and billing mechanisms with the
assurance that any changes shall be given to the client orally and in writing as soon
as possible but no less than fifteen (15) working days prior to the date such changes
become effective;
(2) criteria for admission to service;
(3) information regarding the right to participate in the planning of (or any changes
in) the care to be furnished, the frequency of visits proposed, the nurse supervising
care and the manner in which the nurse may be contacted;
(4) client responsibility for participation in the development and implementation
of the client service program and the client's right to refuse recommended services;
(5) right of the client to be free from physical and mental abuse and exploitation
and to have personal property treated with respect;
(6) explanation of confidential treatment of all client information retained in the
agency and the requirement for written consent for release of information to persons
not otherwise authorized under law to receive it;
(7) policy regarding client access to his or her service record;
(8) explanation of the complaint procedure and right to file a complaint without
discrimination or reprisal from the agency regarding the provision of care and
services, any allegations of physical or mental abuse or exploitation or the lack of
respect for property by anyone providing agency services;
(9) agency's responsibility to promptly investigate the complaints made by a
client or his or her family regarding the provision of care and services, any allegations
of physical or mental abuse or exploitation or lack of respect for the client's property
by anyone providing agency services;
(10) procedure for registering complaints with the commissioner including the
address and phone number of the department;
(11) the client's right to have services provided by an individual or entity other
than via an assisted living services agency;
(12) the circumstances under which the client may be discharged from the agency
or may not be permitted to receive services from the assisted living services agency;
(13) a description of Medicare-covered services and billing and payment require-
ments for such services;
(14) information advising the client of his or her rights under state law to make
decisions about medical care, including the right to formulate advance directives
such as living wills and durable power of attorney for health care decisions;
(15) the client's right to make individual arrangements with an assisted living
services agency which does not have a formal contract with the managed residential
community in which he or she resides; and
(16) the client's right to terminate or reduce services provided by an assisted
living services agency at any time.
(Effective November 29, 1994; amended June 29, 2001)