Tenn. R. 0720-23

Residential Hospice

This Tennessee regulation (Chapter 0720-23) establishes licensing and operating standards for residential hospices, defined as homelike residential facilities providing hospice and/or HIV care services on-site rather than in a patient's home. Operators must obtain and maintain a license from the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, comply with administrative, staffing, building, life safety, and patient rights requirements, and follow prescribed disciplinary and renewal procedures. The chapter covers the full scope of residential hospice operations, including admissions, contracting for non-core services, patient fund management, and personnel qualifications.

March, 2026 (Revised) 1 
RULES 
OF 
THE TENNESSEE HEALTH FACILITIES COMMISSION 
 
CHAPTER 0720-23 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
0720-23-.01 Definitions 0720-23-.09 Life Safety 
0720-23-.02 Licensing Procedures 0720-23-.10 Infectious and Hazardous Waste 
0720-23-.03 Disciplinary Procedures 0720-23-.11 Records and Reports 
0720-23-.04 Administration 0720-23-.12 Patient/Resident Rights 
0720-23-.05 Admissions, Discharges, and Transfers 0720-23-.13 Policies and Procedures for Health Care 
0720-23-.06 Basic Hospice Functions Decision-Making 
0720-23-.07 Reserved 0720-23-.14 Disaster Preparedness 
0720-23-.08 Building Standards 0720-23-.15 Appendix I 
 
0720-23-.01 DEFINITIONS. 
 
(1) Abuse. The willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation or punishment 
with resulting physical harm, pain or mental anguish. 
 
(2) Administrator. An individual appointed by a governing body who is responsible for the day to 
day management of the hospice program. 
 
(3) Adult. An individual who has capacity and is at least 18 years of age. 
 
(4) Advance Directive. An individual instruction or a written statement relating to the subsequent 
provision of health care for the individual, including, but not limited to, a living will or a durable 
power of attorney for health care. 
 
(5) Agent. An individual designated in an advance directive for health care to make a health care 
decision for the individual granting the power. 
 
(6) Bereavement Counseling. Counseling services provided to the patient ’s or resident ’s family 
both prior to and after the patient’s or resident’s death. 
 
(7) Bereavement Counselor. An individual who has at least a bachelor ’s degree in social work, 
counseling, psychology, pastoral care, or specialized training or experience in bereavement 
theory and counseling. 
 
(8) Board. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities. 
 
(9) Capacity. An individual’s ability to understand the significant benefits, risks, and alternatives 
to proposed health care and to make and communicate a health care decision. These 
regulations do not affect the right of a patient or resident to make health care decisions while 
having the capacity to do so. A patient or resident shall be presumed to have capacity to 
make a health care decision, to give or revoke an advance directive, and to designate or 
disqualify a surrogate. Any person who challenges the capacity of a patient or resident shall 
have the burden of proving lack of capacity. 
 
(10) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The administering of any means or device to support 
cardiopulmonary functions in a patient or resident, whether by mechanical devices, chest 
compressions, mouth- to-mouth resuscitation, cardiac massage, tracheal intubation, manual 
or mechanical ventilations or respirations, defibrillation, the administration of drugs and/or 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.01, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 2 
chemical agents intended to restore cardiac and/or respiratory functions in a patient or 
resident where cardiac or respiratory arrest has occurred or is believed to be imminent. 
 
(11) Certified Master Social Worker. A person currently certified as such by the Tennessee Board 
of Social Worker Certification and Licensure. 
 
(12) Clinical Fellow. A Speech Language Pathologist who is in the process of obtaining his or her 
paid professional experience, as defined by a Communications Disorders and Sciences 
Board-approved accreditation agency, before being qualified for licensure. 
 
(13) Clinical Note. A written and dated notation containing a patient or resident assessment, 
responses to medications, treatments and services, and/or any changes in condition signed 
by a health team member who made contact with the patient or resident. 
 
(14) Commissioner. The Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health or his or her 
authorized representative. 
 
(15) Competent. A patient or resident who has capacity. 
 
(16) Core Services. Services consisting of nursing, medical social services, physician services 
and counseling services. 
 
(17) Department. The Tennessee Department of Health. 
 
(18) Designated Physician. A physician designated by an individual or the individual ’s agent, 
guardian, or surrogate, to have primary responsibility for the individual ’s health care or, in the 
absence of a designation or if the designated physician is not reasonably available, a 
physician who undertakes such responsibility. 
 
(19) Dietitian. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of Dietitian/Nutritionist 
Examiners. Persons exempt from licensure shall be registered with the American Diabetics 
Association pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-25-204. 
 
(20) Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR). A written order, other than a POST, not to resuscitate a 
patient in cardiac or respiratory arrest in accordance with accepted medical practices. 
 
(21) Emancipated Minor. Any minor who is or has been married or has by court order or otherwise 
been freed from the care, custody and control of the minor’s parents. 
 
(22) Emergency Responder. A paid or volunteer firefighter, law enforcement officer, or other 
public safety official or volunteer acting within the scope of his or her proper function under 
law or rendering emergency care at the scene of an emergency. 
 
(23) Guardian. A judicially appointed guardian or conservator having authority to make a health 
care decision for an individual. 
 
(24) Hazardous Waste. Materials whose handling, use, storage, and disposal are governed by 
local, state, or federal regulations. 
 
(25) Health Care. Any care, treatment, service or procedure to maintain, diagnose, treat, or 
otherwise affect an individual ’s physical or mental condition, and includes medical care as 
defined in T.C.A. § 32-11-103(5). 
 
(26) Health Care Decision. Consent, refusal of consent or withdrawal of consent to health care. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.01, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 3 
(27) Health Care Decision- Maker. In the case of a patient or resident who lacks capacity, the 
patient’s or resident ’s health care decision- maker is one of the following: the patient ’s or 
resident’s health care agent as specified in an advance directive, the patient ’s or resident ’s 
court-appointed guardian or conservator with health care decision- making authority, the 
patient’s or resident’s surrogate as determined pursuant to Rule 0720-23-.13 or T.C.A. § 33-
3-220, the designated physician pursuant to these rules or in the case of a minor child, the 
person having custody or legal guardianship. 
 
(28) Health Care Institution. A health care institution as defined in T.C.A. § 68-11-1602. 
 
(29) Health Care Provider. A person who is licensed, certified or otherwise authorized or permitted 
by the laws of this state to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or 
practice of a profession. 
 
(30) HIV Resident. An individual who is in need of domiciliary care and who has been diagnosed 
and certified in writing by a licensed physician as being HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) 
positive. 
 
(31) Home Care Organization. As defined by T.C.A. § 68- 11-201 “home care organization” 
provides home health services, home medical equipment services or hospice services to 
patients on an outpatient basis in either their regular or temporary place of residence. 
 
(32) Home Health Aide/Hospice Aide. A person who has completed a total of seventy -five (75) 
hours of training which included sixteen (16) hours of clinical training prior to or during the 
first three (3) months of employment and who is qualified to provide basic services, including 
simple procedures as an extension of therapy services, personal care regarding nutritional 
needs, ambulation and exercise. 
 
(33) Hospice Care Clinical Coordinator. A person identified as being responsible for the clinical 
management of all aspects of a hospice program. The hospice clinical coordinator must have 
at least one (1) year of supervisory experience in hospice or home health care and be either 
a licensed physician or a registered nurse. 
 
(34) Hospice Patient. An individual who: 
 
(a) Has been diagnosed as terminally ill; 
 
(b) Has been certified in writing by a physician to have an anticipated life expectancy of six 
(6) months or less; and, 
 
(c) Has voluntarily requested admission to, and been accepted by a licensed hospice. 
 
(35) Hospice Services. As defined by T.C.A. § 68-11-201, “hospice services” means a coordinated 
program of care, under the direction of an identifiable hospice administrator, providing 
palliative and supportive medical and other services to hospice patients and their families in 
the patient ’s regular or temporary place of residence. Hospice services shall be available 
twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week pursuant to the patient ’s Hospice plan of 
care. A licensed hospice may provide services to a non- hospice patient; provided, that 
services to a non-hospice patient shall be limited to palliative care only. 
 
(36) Incompetent. A patient or resident who has been adjudicated incompetent by a court of 
competent jurisdiction and has not been restored to legal capacity. 
 
(37) Individual Instruction. An individual ’s direction concerning a health care decision for the 
individual. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.01, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 4 
(38) Infectious Waste. Solid or liquid wastes which contain pathogens with sufficient virulence and 
quantity such that exposure to the waste by a susceptible host could result in an infectious 
disease. 
 
(39) Involuntary Transfer. The movement of a patient or resident without the consent of the 
resident, the resident’s legal guardian, next of kin or representative, with required notification 
to the appropriate agencies. 
 
(40) Licensed Clinical Social Worker. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee 
Board of Social Workers. 
 
(41) Licensed Practical Nurse. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of 
Nursing. 
 
(42) Licensed Psychologist. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of 
Examiners in Psychology. 
 
(43) Licensee. The person or entity to whom the license is issued. The licensee is held 
responsible for compliance with all rules and regulations. 
 
(44) Life Threatening or Serious Injury. Injury requiring the patient to undergo significant additional 
diagnostic or treatment measures. 
 
(45) Medical Director. A licensed physician employed by the residential hospice to be responsible 
for medical care in the facility. 
 
(46) Medical Emergency. A medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient 
severity (including severe pain) such that the absence of immediate medical attention could 
reasonably be expected to result in placing the patient ’s or resident ’s health in serious 
jeopardy, serious impairment to bodily functions or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or 
part. 
 
(47) Medical Record. Medical histories, records, reports, clinical notes, summaries, diagnoses, 
prognoses, records of treatment and medication ordered and given, entries, and other written 
electronics, or graphic data prepared, kept, made or maintained in an agency that pertains to 
confinement or services rendered to patients and residents. 
 
(48) Medically Inappropriate Treatment. Resuscitation efforts that cannot be expected either to 
restore cardiac or respiratory function to the patient or resident or other medical or surgical 
treatments to achieve the expressed goals of the informed patient or resident. In the case of 
the incompetent patient or resident, the patient ’s or resident ’s representative expresses the 
goals of the patient or resident. 
 
(49) Medical Social Services. When provided, shall be given by a certified master social worker, a 
licensed clinical social worker, or by a social worker or social work assistant employed by the 
residential hospice and under the supervision of a certified master social worker or licensed 
clinical social worker, and in acc ordance with the plan of care. The medical social services 
provider shall assist the physician and other team members in understanding the significant 
social and emotional factors related to the health problems, participate in the development of 
the plan of care, prepare clinical and progress notes, work with the family, utilize appropriate 
community resources, participate in discharge planning and in- service programs, and act as 
a consultant to other organization personnel. 
 
(50) Misappropriation of Patient/Resident Property. The deliberate misplacement, exploitation or 
wrongful, temporary or permanent use of an individual ’s belongings or money without the 
individual’s consent. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.01, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 5 
 
(51) Neglect. The failure to provide goods and services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental 
anguish or mental illness; however, the withholding of authorization for or provision of 
medical care to any terminally ill person who has executed an irrevocable living will in 
accordance with the Tennessee Right to Natural Death Law, or other applicable state law, if 
the provision of such medical care would conflict with the terms of the living will, shall not be 
deemed “neglect” for purposes of these rules. 
 
(52) N.F.P.A. The National Fire Protection Association. 
 
(53) Occupational Therapist. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of 
Occupational and Physical Therapy Examiners. 
 
(54) Occupational Therapy Assistant. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee 
Board of Occupational and Physical Therapy Examiners. 
 
(55) Palliative. The reduction or abatement of pain or troubling symptoms by appropriate 
coordination of all elements of the hospice care team to achieve needed relief of distress. 
 
(56) Person. An individual, corporation, estate, trust, partnership, association, joint venture, 
government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or 
commercial entity. 
 
(57) Personally Informing. A communication by any effective means from the patient or resident 
directly to a health care provider. 
 
(58) Pharmacist. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. 
 
(59) Physical Therapist. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of 
Occupational and Physical Therapy Examiners. 
 
(60) Physical Therapist Assistant. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of 
Occupational and Physical Therapy Examiners. 
 
(61) Physician. An individual authorized to practice medicine or osteopathy under Tennessee 
Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapters 6 or 9. 
 
(62) Physician Assistant. A person who has graduated from a physician assistant educational 
program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician 
Assistant, has passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination, and is 
currently licensed in Tennessee as a physician assistant under Title 63, Chapter 19. 
 
(63) Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment or POST. Written orders that: 
 
(a) Are on a form approved by the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities; 
 
(b) Apply regardless of the treatment setting and that are signed as required herein by the 
patient’s physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist; 
and 
 
(c) 1. Specify whether, in the event the patient suffers cardiac or respiratory arrest, 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation should or should not be attempted; 
 
2. Specify other medical interventions that are to be provided or withheld; or 
 
3. Specify both 1. and 2. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.01, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 6 
 
(64) Power of Attorney for Health Care. The designation of an agent to make health care 
decisions for the individual granting the power under T.C.A. Title 34, Chapter 6, Part 2. 
 
(65) Qualified Emergency Medical Service Personnel. Includes, but shall not be limited to, 
emergency medical technicians, paramedics, or other emergency services personnel, 
providers, or entities acting within the usual course of their professions, and other emergency 
responders. 
 
(66) Reasonably Available. Readily able to be contacted without undue effort and willing and able 
to act in a timely manner considering the urgency of the patient ’s or resident ’s health care 
needs. Such availability shall include, but not be limited to, availability by telephone. 
 
(67) Registered Nurse. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. 
 
(68) Residential Hospice. A licensed homelike residential facility designed, staffed and organized 
to provide hospice and/or HIV care services, except such services shall be provided at such 
residential facility rather than the patient ’s or resident ’s regular or temporary place of 
residence. A residential hospice shall not provide hospice and/or HIV care services to any 
person other than a hospice and/or HIV resident. 
 
(69) Respiratory Therapist. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee Board of 
Respiratory Care. 
 
(70) Respiratory Therapy Technician. A person currently licensed as such by the Tennessee 
Board of Respiratory Care. 
 
(71) Respite Care. A short-term period of inpatient care provided to a hospice patient only when 
necessary to relieve the family members or other persons caring for the patient. 
 
(72) Secured Unit. A facility or distinct part of a facility where the residents are intentionally denied 
egress by any means. 
 
(73) Shall or Must. Compliance is mandatory. 
 
(74) Social Worker. An individual who has at least a bachelor’s degree from a school accredited or 
approved by the Council on Social Work Education and has one (1) year of social work 
experience in a health care setting. 
 
(75) Social Work Assistant. A person who has a baccalaureate degree in social work, psychology, 
sociology, or other field related to social work, and has at least one (1) year of social work 
experience in a health care setting. Social work related fields include bachelor/masters 
degrees in psychology, sociology, human services (behavioral sciences, not human 
resources), masters degree in counseling fields (psychological guidance and guidance 
counseling) and degrees in gerontology. 
 
(76) Speech Language Pathologist. As defined in T.C.A. § 63- 17-103, a person currently licensed 
as such by the Tennessee Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences. 
 
(77) Spiritual Counselor. A person who has met the requirements of a religious organization to 
serve the constituency of that organization. 
 
(78) State. A state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, or a territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.01, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 7 
(79) Student. A person currently enrolled in a course of study that is approved by the appropriate 
licensing board or equivalent body. 
 
(80) Supervising Health Care Provider. The designated physician or, if there is no designated 
physician or the designated physician is not reasonably available, the health care provider 
who has undertaken primary responsibility for an individual’s health care. 
 
(81) Supervision. Authoritative procedural guidance by a qualified person for the accomplishment 
of a function or activity with initial direction and periodic inspection of the actual act of 
accomplishing the function or activity. Periodic supervision must be provided if the person is 
not a licensed or certified assistant, unless otherwise provided in accordance with these 
regulations. 
 
(82) Surrogate. An individual, other than a patient ’s or resident’s agent or guardian, authorized to 
make a health care decision for the patient or resident. 
 
(83) Terminally Ill. An individual with a medical prognosis that his or her life expectancy is six (6) 
months or less if the illness runs its normal course. 
 
(84) Transfer. The movement of a patient or resident at the direction of a physician or other 
qualified medical personnel when a physician is not readily available, but does not include 
such movement of a patient or resident who leaves the facility against medical advice. 
 
(85) Treating Health Care Provider. A health care provider who at the time is directly or indirectly 
involved in providing health care to the patient or resident. 
 
(86) Volunteer. An individual who agrees to provide services to a hospice care patient or HIV 
resident and/or family member(s), without monetary compensation, with appropriate 
supervision by the facility. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 39-11-106, 68-11-201, 68-11-202, 68-11-204, 68-11-206, 68-11-
207, 68-11-209, 68-11-210, 68-11-211, 68-11-213, 68-11-224, and 68-11-1802. Administrative History: 
Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective November 1, 1995. Repeal and new rule filed April 27, 2000; 
effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed April 11, 2003; effective June 25, 2003. Amendment filed April 
28, 2003; effective July 12, 2003. Amendments filed November 22, 2005; effective February 5, 2006. 
Amendment filed February 7, 2007; effective April 23, 2007. Amendment filed January 3, 2012; effective 
April 2, 2012. Amendment filed March 27, 2015; effective June 25, 2015. Amendment filed September 15, 
2015; effective December 14, 2015. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 
1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.02 LICENSING PROCEDURES. 
 
(1) No person, partnership, association, corporation, or state, county or local government unit, or 
any division, department, board or agency thereof, shall establish, conduct, operate, or 
maintain in the State of Tennessee any residential hospice without having a license. A 
license shall be issued to the person or persons named and for the premises listed in the 
application for licensure and for the geographic areas specified by the certificate of need or at 
the time of the original licensing. The name of the residential hospice shall not be changed 
without first notifying the department in writing. Licenses are not transferable or assignable 
and shall expire and become invalid annually on the anniversary date of their original 
issuance. The license shall be conspicuously posted in the residential hospice . 
 
(2) In order to make application for a license: 
 
(a) The applicant shall submit an application on a form prepared by the department. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.02, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 8 
(b) Each applicant for a license shall pay an annual license fee based on the number of 
beds as follows: 
 
1. Less than 25 beds $1,040.00 
 
2. 25 to 49 beds, inclusive $1,333.00 
 
3. 50 to 74 beds, inclusive $1,593.00 
 
4. 75 to 99 beds, inclusive $1,853.00 
 
5. 100 to 124 beds, inclusive $2,133.00 
 
6. 125 to 149 beds, inclusive $2,373.00 
 
7. 150 to 174 beds, inclusive $2,633.00 
 
8. 175 to 199 beds, inclusive $2,893.00 
 
 For a residential hospice of two hundred (200) beds or more the fee shall be two 
thousand eight hundred and ninety -three dollars ($2,893.00) plus two hundred dollars 
($200.00) for each twenty -five (25) beds or fraction thereof in excess of one hundred 
ninety-nine (199) beds. The fee shall be submitted with the application or renewal and 
is not refundable. 
 
(c) The issuance of an application form is in no way a guarantee that the completed 
application will be accepted or that a license will be issued by the department. Patients 
or residents shall not be admitted to the residential hospice until a license has been 
issued. Applicants shall not hold themselves out to the public as being a residential 
hospice until the license has been issued. A license shall not be issued until the 
residential hospice is in substantial compliance with these rules and regulations, 
including submission of all information required by T.C.A. § 68 -11-206(l) or as later 
amended, and all information required by the Commissioner. 
 
(d) The applicant must prove the ability to meet the financial needs of the residential 
hospice. 
 
(e) The applicant shall not use subterfuge or other evasive means to obtain a license, such 
as filing for a license through a second party when an individual has been denied a 
license or has had a license disciplined or has attempted to avoid inspection and 
review process. 
 
(f) The applicant shall allow the residential hospice to be inspected by a Department 
surveyor. In the event that deficiencies are noted, the applicant shall submit a plan of 
corrective action to the Board that must be accepted by the Board. Once the 
deficiencies have been corrected, then the Board shall consider the application for 
licensure. 
 
(3) A proposed change of ownership, including a change in a controlling interest, must be 
reported to the department a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the change. A new 
application and fee must be received by the department before the license may be issued. 
 
(a) For the purposes of licensing, the licensee of a residential hospice has the ultimate 
responsibility for the operation of the residential hospice, including the final authority to 
make or control operational decisions and legal responsibility for the business 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.02, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 9 
management. A change of ownership occurs whenever this ultimate legal authority for 
the responsibility of the residential hospice’s operation is transferred. 
 
(b) A change of ownership occurs whenever there is a change in the legal structure by 
which the residential hospice is owned and operated. 
 
(c) Transactions constituting a change of ownership include, but are not limited to the 
following: 
 
1. Transfer of the residential hospice’s legal title; 
 
2. Lease of the residential hospice’s operations; 
 
3. Dissolution of any partnership th at owns, or owns a controlling interest in, the 
residential hospice; 
 
4. One partnership is replaced by another through the removal, addition or 
substitution of a partner; 
 
5. Removal of the general partner or general partners, if the residential hospice is 
owned by a limited partnership; 
 
6. Merger of a residential hospice owner (a corporation) into another corporation 
where, after the merger, the owner’s shares of capital stock are canceled; 
 
7. The consolidation of a corporate residential hospice owner with one or more 
corporations; or, 
 
8. Transfers between levels of government. 
 
(d) Transactions which do not constitute a change of ownership include, but are not limited 
to, the following: 
 
1. Changes in the membership of a corporate board of directors or board of 
trustees; 
 
2. Two (2) or more corporations merge and the originally -licensed corporation 
survives; 
 
3. Changes in the membership of a non-profit corporation; 
 
4. Transfers between departments of the same level of government; or, 
 
5. Corporate stock transfers or sales, even when a controlling interest. 
 
(e) Management agreements are generally not changes of ownership if the owner 
continues to retain ultimate authority for the operation of the residential hospice. 
However, if the ultimate authority is surrendered and transferred from the owner to a 
new manager, then a change of ownership has occurred. 
 
(f) Sale/lease-back agreements shall not be treated as changes in ownership if the lease 
involves the residential hospice’ s entire real and personal property and if the identity of 
the lessee, who shall continue the operation, retains the exact same legal form as the 
former owner. 
 
(4) Renewal. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.02, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 10 
 
(a) In order to renew a license, each residential hospice shall submit to periodic 
inspections by Department surveyors for compliance with these rules. If deficiencies 
are noted, the licensee shall submit an acceptable plan of corrective action and shall 
remedy the deficiencies. In addition, each licensee shall submit a renewal form 
approved by the board and applicable renewal fee prior to the expiration date of the 
license. 
 
(b) If a licensee fails to renew its license prior to the date of its expiration but submits the 
renewal form and fee within sixty (60) days thereafter, the licensee may renew late by 
paying, in addition to the renewal fee, a late penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) per 
month for each month or fraction of a month that renewal is late; provided that the late 
penalty shall not exceed twice the renewal fee. 
 
(c) In the event that a licensee fails to renew its license within the sixty (60) day grace 
period following the license expiration date, then the licensee shall reapply for a license 
by submitting the following to the Board office: 
 
1. A completed application for licensure; 
 
2. The license fee provided in Rule 0720-23-.02(2)(b); and 
 
3. Any other information required by the Health Services and Development Agency. 
 
(d) Upon reapplication, the licensee shall submit to an inspection of the facility by 
Department of Health surveyors. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4 -5-202, 4- 5-204, 68- 11-201, 68- 11-202, 68 -11-204, 68- 11-206, 68-11-206(a)(5) 
[effective January 1, 2009] , 68-11-209, 68-11-209(a)(1), 68-11-210, and 68-11-216 and Chapter 846 of 
the Public Acts of 2008, § 1. Administrative Histor y: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective 
November 1, 1995. Repeal and new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed 
November 19, 2003; effective February 2, 2004. Amendment filed January 19, 2007; effective April 4, 
2007. Public necessity rules filed April 29, 2009; effective through October 11, 2009. Emergency rules 
filed October 9, 2009; effective through April 7, 2010. Amendment filed September 24, 2009; effective 
December 23, 2009. Amendment filed December 16, 2013; effective March 16, 2014. Amendments filed 
March 26, 2019; effective June 24, 2019. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public 
Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.03 DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES. 
 
(1) The board may suspend or revoke a license for: 
 
(a) Violation of federal or state statutes; 
 
(b) Violation of the rules as set forth in this chapter; 
 
(c) Permitting, aiding or abetting the commission of any illegal act in t he residential 
hospice; 
 
(d) Conduct or practice found by the board to be detrimental to the health, safety, or 
welfare of the patients or residents of the residential hospice; or 
 
(e) Failure to renew the license. 
 
(2) The board may consider all factors which it deems relevant, including but not limited to the 
following when determining sanctions: 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.03, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 11 
 
(a) The degree of sanctions necessary to ensure immediate and continued compliance; 
 
(b) The character and degree of impact of the violation on the health, safety and welfare of 
the patients in the residential hospice; 
 
(c) The conduct of the residential hospice in taking all feasible steps or procedures 
necessary or appropriate to comply or correct the violation; and, 
 
(d) Any prior violations by the residential hospice of statutes, regulations or orders of the 
board. 
 
(3) When a facility is found by the department to have committed a violation of this chapter, the 
department will issue to the facility a statement of deficiencies. Within ten (10) days of the 
receipt of the statement of deficiencies the facility must return a plan of correction indicating 
the following: 
 
(a) How the deficiency will be corrected; 
 
(b) The date upon which each deficiency will be corrected; 
 
(c) What measures or systemic changes will be put in place to ensure that the deficient 
practice does not recur; and 
 
(d) How the corrective action will be monitored to ensure that the deficient practice does 
not recur. 
 
(4) Either the failure to submit a plan of correction in a timely manner or a finding by the 
department that the plan of correction is unacceptable shall subject the facility ’s license to 
possible disciplinary action. 
 
(5) Any licensee or applicant for a license aggrieved by a decision or action of the department or 
board pursuant to this chapter may request a hearing before the board. The proceedings and 
judicial review of the board ’s decision shall be in accordance with the Uniform Administrative 
Procedures Act, T.C.A. §§ 4-5-101, et seq. 
 
(6) Reconsideration and Stays. The Board authorizes the member who chaired the Board for a 
contested case to be the agency member to make the decisions authorized pursuant to Rule 
1360-04-01-.18 regarding petitions for reconsiderations and stays in that case. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4- 5-204, 4-5-219, 4- 5-312, 4-5-316, 4- 5-317, 68-11-202, 68-11-204, and 
68-11-206 through 68- 11-209. Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective 
November 1, 1995. Repeal and new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed 
March 1, 2007; effective May 15, 2007. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 
1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.04 ADMINISTRATION. 
 
(1) The residential hospice shall have a full -time (working at least 32 hours per week) 
administrator. Any change of administrators shall be reported in writing to the department 
within fifteen (15) days. The administrator shall designate in writing an individual to act in 
his/her absence in order to provide the residential hospice with administ rative direction at all 
times. The administrator shall assure the provision of appropriate fiscal resources and 
personnel required to meet the needs of the patients and/or residents. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.04, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 12 
(2) The residential hospice must organize, manage, and administer its hospice and HIV care 
services to attain and maintain the highest obtainable quality of life for each patient and 
resident in a manner consistent with acceptable standards of practice. 
 
(3) The residential hospice shall ensure a framework for addressing issues related to care at the 
end of life. 
 
(4) The residential hospice shall provide a process that assesses pain in all patients. There shall 
be an appropriate and effective pain management program. 
 
(5) Nursing services, physician services, drugs and biologicals shall routinely be available on a 
24-hour basis. 
 
(6) All other hospice services shall be available on a 24- hour basis to the extent necessary to 
meet the needs of individuals for care that is reasonable and necessary for the palliation and 
management of terminal illness or conditions directly attributable to the terminal diagnosis. 
 
(7) A residential hospice may contract for another individual or entity to furnish services, other 
than core services, to the residential hospic e’s patients or HIV residents. If services are 
provided under agreement or contract, the residential hospice must meet the following 
standards: 
 
(a) Continuity of care. The residential hospice assures the continuity of resident and 
patient/family care. 
 
(b) Written agreement. The residential hospice has a legally binding written agreement for 
the provision of contracted hospice services. The agreement must include at least the 
following: 
 
1. Identification of the services to be provided. 
 
2. A stipulation that services may be provided only with the express authorization of 
the residential hospice. 
 
3. The manner in which the contracted services are coordinated, supervised, and 
evaluated by the residential hospice. 
 
4. The delineation of the role(s) of the residential hospice and the contractor in the 
admission process, resident and patient/family assessment, and the 
interdisciplinary group care conferences. 
 
5. Requirements for documenting that services are furnished in accordance with the 
agreement. 
 
6. The qualifications of the personnel providing the services. 
 
(c) Professional management responsibility. The residential hospice retains professional 
management responsibility for those contracted services and ensures that they are 
furnished in a safe and effective manner by persons meeting the qualifications of this 
part, and in accordance with the patient ’s and/or HIV resident ’s plan of care and the 
other requirements of this part. 
 
(d) Financial responsibility. The residential hospice retains responsibility for payment for 
services. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.04, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 13 
(8) The facility shall make reasonable efforts to safeguard personal property and promptly 
investigate complaints of such loss. A record shall be prepared of all clothing, personal 
possessions, and money brought by the patient and/or HIV resident to the residential hospice 
at the time of admission. The record shall be filled out in duplicate. One copy of the record 
shall be given to the patient or resident or the patient ’s or resident ’s representative and the 
original shall be maintained in the residential hospice record. This record shall be updated as 
additional personal property is brought to the facility. 
 
(9) If the facility keeps patient or resident funds, such funds shall be kept in an account separate 
from the facility’s funds. Patient or resident funds shal l not be used by the facility. The facility 
shall maintain and allow each patient or resident access to a written record of all financial 
arrangements and transactions involving the individual patient’s or resident ’s funds. The 
facility shall provide each patient and resident or his/her representative with a written 
itemized statement at least quarterly of all financial transactions involving the patient ’s or 
resident’s funds. 
 
(10) Within thirty (30) days of a patient ’s or resident ’s death, the facility shall provide an 
accounting of the patient ’s or resident ’s funds held by the facility and an inventory of the 
patient’s or resident ’s personal property held by the facility to the patient ’s or resident ’s 
executor, administrator or other person authorized by law to receive the decedent ’s property. 
The facility shall obtain a signed receipt from any person to whom the decedent ’s property is 
transferred. 
 
(11) Upon the sale of the facility, the seller shall provide written verification that all the patient ’s or 
resident’s funds and property have been transferred and shall obtain a signed receipt from 
the new owner. Upon receipt, the buyer shall provide, to the patients and resident ’s, an 
accounting of funds and property held on their behalf. 
 
(12) When licensure is applicable for a particular job, verification of the current license must be 
included as a part of the personnel file. Each personnel file shall contain accurate information 
as to the education, training, experience and personnel background of the employee. 
Documentation that references were verified shall be on file. Adequate medical screenings to 
exclude communicable disease shall be required of each employee. 
 
(13) Whenever the rules and regulations of this chapter require that a licensee develop a written 
policy, plan, procedure, technique, or system concerning a subject, the licensee shall develop 
the required policy, maintain it and adhere to its provisions. A residential hospice which 
violates a required policy also violates the rule and regulation establishing the requirement. 
 
(14) Policies and procedures shall be consistent with professionally recognized standards of 
practice. 
 
(15) No residential hospice shall retaliate against or, in any manner, discriminate against any 
person because of a complaint made in good faith and without malice to the board, the 
department, the Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services, the long term care 
ombudsman, the Comptroller of the State Treasury, or any government agency. A residential 
hospice shall neither retaliate, nor discriminate, because of information lawfully provided to 
these authorities, because of a person ’s cooperation with them, or because a person is 
subpoenaed to testify at a hearing involving one of these authorities. 
 
(16) Each residential hospice shall adopt safety policies for the protection of patients and 
residents from accident and injury. 
 
(17) A record pertaining to the payment agreement between the residential hospice and the 
patient or resident shall be accomplished prior to admission. A copy of the agreement record 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.04, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 14 
shall be given to the patient or resident and the original shall be maintained in the facility ’s 
records. 
 
(18) All health care facilitie s licensed pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 68-11-201, et seq. shall post the 
following in the main public entrance: 
 
(a) Contact information including statewide toll -free number of the division of adult 
protective services, and the number for the local district attorney’s office; 
 
(b) A statement that a person of advanced age who may be the victim of abuse, neglect, or 
exploitation may seek assistance or file a complaint with the division concerning abuse, 
neglect and exploitation; and 
 
(c) A statement that any person, regardless of age, who may be the victim of domestic 
violence may call the nationwide domestic violence hotline, with that number printed in 
boldface type, for immediate assistance and posted on a sign no smaller than eight and 
one-half inches (8½”) in width and eleven inches (11”) in height. 
 
 Postings of (a) and (b) shall be on a sign no smaller than eleven inches (11” ) in width and 
seventeen inches (17”) in height. 
 
(19) “No Smoking” signs or the international “No Smoking” symbol, consisting of a pictorial 
representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across it, shall be 
clearly and conspicuously posted at every entrance. 
 
(20) The facility shall develop a concise statement of its charity care policies and shall post such 
statement in a place accessible to the public. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 39-17-1803, 39-17-1805, 68-11-201, 68-11-202, 68-11-204, 68-
11-206, 68-11-209, 68-11-268, and 71- 6-121. Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 
1995; effective November 1, 1995. Repeal and new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. 
Amendment filed June 18, 2002; effective September 1, 2002. Amendment filed April 20, 2006; effective 
July 4, 2006. Amendment filed July 18, 2007; effective October 1, 2007. Amendment filed February 22, 
2010; effective May 23, 2010. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 
2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.05 ADMISSIONS, DISCHARGES, AND TRANSFERS. 
 
(1) The residential hospice shall have a policy to admit only patients who meet the following 
criteria, or HIV care residents: 
 
(a) Has been diagnosed as terminally ill; 
 
(b) Has been certified by a physician, in w riting, to have an anticipated life expectancy of 
six (6) months or less; 
 
(c) Has personally, or through a representative, voluntarily requested admission to and 
been accepted by a licensed residential hospice; and 
 
(d) Has personally or through a representative, in writing, given informed consent to 
receive hospice care. 
 
(2) Patients shall be admitted to receive hospice services or residents admitted to receive HIV 
care on the basis of a reasonable expectation that the patient ’s or resident’s medical, nursing 
and psychosocial needs can be met adequately by the residential hospice. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.05, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 15 
(3) Care shall follow a written plan of care established and reviewed by the attending physician, 
the medical director, or the physician’ s designee and the interdisciplinary group. Care shall 
continue under the supervision of the attending physician. 
 
(4) The residential hospice staff shall determine that the patient ’s or resident’s needs can be met 
by the facility’s services and capabilities. 
 
(5) Every person admitted for care or treatment to any residential hospice covered by these rules 
shall be under the supervision of a physician who holds a license in good standing to practice 
in Tennessee. The name of the patient ’s attending physician shall be recorded in the 
patient’s medical record. 
 
(6) The residential hospice staff shall obtain the patient’s or resident’s written consent for hospice 
or HIV care services. 
 
(7) The signed consent form shall be included with the patient ’s or resident ’s individual clinical 
record. 
 
(8) A diagnosis must be entered in the admission records of the residential hospice for every 
person admitted for care or treatment. 
 
(9) Any admission in excess of the licensed bed capacity is prohibited except when an 
emergency admission is approved by the department. 
 
(10) A medical record shall be developed and maintained for each patient or resident admitted. 
 
(11) No patient or resident shall be discharged without a written order from the attending physician 
or the medical director stating the patient does not meet hospice criteria or the resident does 
not meet HIV care criteria, or through other legal processes, and timely notification of next of 
kin and/or the authorized representative. 
 
(12) When a patient or resident is discharged, a summary of the significant findings and events of 
the patient ’s or resident ’s care, the patient ’s or resident ’s condition on discharge and the 
recommendation and arrangement for future care, if any, is required. 
 
(13) When a patient or resident is transferred, a summary of treatment given at the residential 
hospice, condition of the patient or resident at time of transfer and date and place to which he 
is transferred shall be entered in the record. If the transfer is due to an emergency, this 
information will be recorded within forty -eight (48) hours, otherwise, it will precede the 
transfer of the patient or resident. 
 
(14) When a patient or resident is transferred, a copy of the clinical summary shall, with consent of 
the patient or resident, be sent to the facility that will continue the care of the patient or 
resident. 
 
(15) Except when the Board has revoked or suspended the license, a residential hospice which 
intends to close, cease doing business, or reduce its licensed bed capacity by ten percent 
(10%) or more, shall notify the Department at the earliest moment of the decision, but not 
later than thirty (30) days before the action is to be implemented. The facility shall establish a 
protocol, subject to the Department ’s approval, for the transfer or discharge of the patients 
and/or residents. Should the residential hospice violate the provisions of this subsection, the 
department shall request the Attorney General of the State of Tennessee to intervene to 
protect the patients and/or residents, as is provided by T.C.A. § 68-11-213(a). 
 
(16) The residential hospice shall ensure that no person on the grounds of race, color, national 
origin, or handicap, will be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.05, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 16 
subjected to discrimination in the provision of any care or service of the residential hospice. 
The residential hospice shall protect the civil rights of patients and residents under the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 
 
(17) Facilities utilizing secured units must be able to provide survey staff with twelve (12) months 
of the following performance information specific to the secured unit and its residents: 
 
(a) Documentation that each secured patient or resident has been evaluated by an 
interdisciplinary team consisting of at least a physician, a social worker, a registered 
nurse, and a family member and/or significant other (or patient care advocate) prior to 
admittance to the unit; 
 
(b) Ongoing and up-to-date documentation of quarterly review by each patient or resident ’s 
interdisciplinary team as to the appropriateness of placement in the secured unit; 
 
(c) A current listing of the number of deaths and hospitalizations with diagnoses that have 
occurred on the unit; 
 
(d) A current listing of all unusual incidents and/or complications on the unit; 
 
(e) An up -to-date staffing pattern and staff ratios for the unit that is recorded on a daily 
basis. The staffing pattern must ensure that there is a minimum of one (1) attendant, 
awake, on duty, and physically located on the unit twenty -four (24) hours per day, 
seven (7) days per week at all times; 
 
(f) A formulated calendar of daily group activities scheduled including a resident 
attendance record for the previous three (3) months; 
 
(g) An up -to-date listing of any incidences of decubitus and/or nosocomial infections, 
including resident identifiers; and, 
 
(h) Documentation showing that 100% of the staff working on the unit receives and has 
received annual in- service training which shall include, but not be limited to the 
following subject areas: 
 
1. Basic facts about the causes, progression and management of Alzheimer ’s 
Disease and related disorders; 
 
2. Dealing with dysfunctional behavior and catastrophic reactions in the residents; 
 
3. Identifying and alleviating safety risks to the resident; 
 
4. Providing assistance in the activities of daily living for the resident; and, 
 
5. Communicating with families and other persons interested in the resident. 
 
(18) Any residential facility licensed by the board of licensing health care facilities shall upon 
admission provide to each resident the division of adult protective services ’ statewide toll-free 
number: 888-277-8366. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 68-11-201, 68-11-202, 68-11-204, 68-11-206, 68-11-209, and 71-
6-121. Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective November 1, 1995. Repeal 
and new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed April 20, 2006; effective July 4, 
2006. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 
2022. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
March, 2026 (Revised) 17 
0720-23-.06 BASIC HOSPICE FUNCTIONS. 
 
(1) Core Functions. A residential hospice must ensure that substantially all core services are 
routinely provided directly by hospice employees. A residential hospice may use contracted 
staff if necessary to supplement residenti al hospice employees in order to meet the needs of 
patients and residents. 
 
(a) Nursing services. The residential hospice must provide nursing care and services by, 
or under the supervision of, a registered nurse (R.N.) at all times. 
 
1. Nursing services must be directed and staffed to assure the nursing needs of 
patients and residents are met. 
 
2. Patient and resident care responsibilities of nursing personnel must be specified. 
 
3. Hospice services and HIV care services must be provided in accordance with 
recognized standards of practice. 
 
4. Nursing services include the authorization of a Registered Nurse to pronounce 
the death of a patient or resident. 
 
(b) Medical Social Services. Medical Social Services must be provided by a qualified social 
worker under the direction of a physician. 
 
(c) Physician Services. In addition to palliation and management of terminal illness and 
related conditions and HIV care, physician employees of the residential hospice 
including the physician member(s) of the interdisciplinary group, must also meet the 
general medical needs of the patients and residents to the extent these needs are not 
met by the attending physician. 
 
(d) Counseling Services. Counseling services must be made available to both the 
individual and the family. Counseling includes bereavement counseling, provided both 
prior to and after the patient ’s or resident ’s death, as well as dietary, therapeutic, 
spiritual and may include any other counseling services identified in the plan of care for 
the individual and family provided while the individual is a patient or resident of the 
residential hospice. 
 
1. Bereavement counseling. There must be an organized program for the provision 
of bereavement services under the supervision of a qualified professional. The 
plan of care for these services should reflect family needs, services to be 
provided, and the frequency of services. 
 
2. Dietary counseling. Dietary counseling, when required, must be provided by a 
qualified individual. 
 
3. Spiritual counseling. Spiritual counseling must include notice to patients as to the 
availability of clergy. 
 
4. Additional counseling. Counseling may be provided by other members of the 
interdisciplinary group as well as by other qualified professionals as determined 
by the residential hospice. 
 
(2) Plan of Care. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 18 
A written plan of care must be established and maintained for each individual admitted to a 
residential hospice, and the care provided to an individual must be in accordance with the 
plan. 
 
(a) Establishment of plan. The plan must be established by the attending physician, the 
medical director or the physician’ s designee and the interdisciplinary group prior to 
providing care. 
 
(b) Review of plan. The plan must be reviewed and updated as the patient ’s condition 
changes, but at intervals of no more than fifteen (15) days, by the attending physician, 
the medical director or the physician ’s designee and the interdisciplinary group. These 
reviews must be documented. 
 
(c) Content of plan. The plan must include an assessment of the individual ’s needs and 
identification of the HIV care services or hospice services required including the 
management of discomfort and symptom relief. It must state in detail the scope and 
frequency of services needed to meet the patient’s or resident’s and family’s needs. 
 
(3) Interdisciplinary Group. 
 
The organization providing hospice services must designate an interdisciplinary group and 
groups composed of individuals who provide or supervise the care and services offered by 
the residential hospice: 
 
(a) Composition of Group. The residential hospice must have an interdisciplinary group or 
groups that include at least the following individuals who are employees of the 
residential hospice: 
 
1. A doctor of medicine or osteopathy; 
 
2. A registered nurse; 
 
3. A social worker; and 
 
4. A pastoral or other counselor. 
 
(b) Role of Group. The interdisciplinary group is responsible for: 
 
1. Participation in the establishment of the plan of care; 
 
2. Provision or supervision of the quality of hospice care and services and/or HIV 
care services; 
 
3. Periodic review and updating of the plan of care for each individual receiving 
hospice care or HIV care; and 
 
4. Establishing and maintaining policies governing the day -to-day provision of 
hospice care and services and/or HIV care and services. 
 
(c) If a residential hospice has more than one interdisciplinary group, it must designate in 
advance the group it chooses to execute the functions described in paragraph (b)4. of 
this section. 
 
(d) Coordinator. The residential hospice must designate a registered nurse to coordinate 
the implementation of the plan of care of each patient and/or resident. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 19 
(e) Volunteers. The residential hospice may use volunteers, in defined roles, under the 
supervision of a designated residential hospice employee. 
 
1. Training. The residential hospice must provide appropriate orientation and 
training that is consistent with acceptable standards of residential hospice 
practice. 
 
2. Role. Volunteers may be used in administrative or direct patient or resident care 
roles. 
 
3. Recruiting and retaining. The hospice must document active and ongoing efforts 
to recruit and train volunteers. 
 
4. Availability of clergy. The residential hospice must make reasonable efforts to 
arrange for visits of clergy and other members of religious organizations in the 
community to patients or residents who request such visits and must advise 
patients and/or residents of this opportunity. 
 
(4) Continuation of Care. A residential hospice must assist in coordinating continued care should 
the patient or resident be transferred or discharged from the residential hospice. 
 
(5) Drug and Treatments. Drugs and treatments shall be administered by appropriately licensed 
facility personnel acting within the scope of their license. Oral orders for drugs and treatments 
shall be given to appropriately licensed personnel acting within the scope of their licenses, 
immediately recorded, signed and dated, and countersigned and dated by the physician. 
 
(6) Performance Improvement Program. The residential hospice must ensure that there is an 
effective facility -wide performance improvement program to evaluate resident care and 
performance of the organization. The performance improvement program must be ongoing 
and have a written plan of implementation which assures that: 
 
(a) All organized services related to resident care, including services furnished by a 
contractor, are evaluated; 
 
(b) Nosocomial infections and medication therapy are evaluated; 
 
(c) All services performed in the facility are evaluated as to the appropriateness of 
diagnosis and treatment; 
 
(d) The residential hospice must have an ongoing plan, consistent with available 
community and facility resources, to provide or make available services that meet the 
medically related needs of its patients and/or HIV care residents; 
 
(e) The facility must develop and implement plans for improvement to address deficiencies 
identified by the performance improvement program and must document the outcome 
of the remedial action; 
 
(f) Performance improvement program records are not disclosable except when such 
disclosure is required to demonstrate compliance with this section; 
 
(g) Good faith attempts by the Performance Improvement Program Committee to identify 
and correct deficiencies will not be used as a basis for sanctions. 
 
(7) Infection Control. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 20 
(a) The residential hospice must provide a sanitary environment to avoid sources and 
transmission of infecti ons and communicable diseases. There must be an active 
program for the prevention, control, and investigation of infections and communicable 
diseases. 
 
(b) The administrator shall assure that an infection control committee, including the 
medical director and members of the nursing staff and administrative staff, develops 
guidelines and techniques for the prevention, surveillance, control and reporting of 
facility infections. Duties of the committee shall include the establishment of: 
 
1. Written infection control policies; 
 
2. Techniques and systems for identifying, reporting, investigating and controlling 
infections in the facility; 
 
3. Written procedures governing the use of aseptic techniques and procedures in 
the facility; 
 
4. Written procedures concerning food handling, laundry practices, disposal of 
environmental and patient and/or resident wastes, traffic control and visiting 
rules, sources of air pollution, and routine culturing of autoclaves and sterilizers; 
 
5. A log of incidents related to infectious and communicable diseases; 
 
6. Formal provisions to educate and orient all appropriate personnel in the practice 
of aseptic techniques such as handwashing, proper grooming, masking and 
dressing care techniques, disinfecting and sterilizing techniques, and the 
handling and storage of patient and/or resident equipment and supplies; and, 
 
7. Continuing education for all facility personnel on the cause, effect, transmission, 
prevention, and elimination of infections. 
 
(c) The administrator, the medical director and a registered nurse must ensure that the 
facility-wide performance improvement program and training programs address 
problems identified by the infection control program and must be responsible for the 
implementation of successful corrective action plans in affected problem areas. 
 
(d) The facility shall develop policies and procedures for testing a patient ’s or resident ’s 
blood for the presence of the hepatitis B virus and the HIV (AIDS) virus i n the event 
that an employee of the facility, a student studying at the facility, or other health care 
provider rendering services at the facility is exposed to a patient ’s or resident’s blood or 
other body fluid. The testing shall be performed at no charge to the patient or resident, 
and the test results shall be confidential. 
 
(e) The facility and its employees shall adopt and utilize standard or universal precautions 
for preventing transmission of infections, HIV, and communicable diseases. 
 
(f) A Residential Hospice shall have an annual influenza vaccination program which shall 
include at least: 
 
1. The offer of influenza vaccination to all staff and independent practitioners at no 
cost to the person or acceptance of documented evidence of vaccination from 
another vaccine source or facility. The Residential Hospice will encourage all 
staff and independent practitioners to obtain an influenza vaccination; 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 21 
2. A signed declination statement on record from all who refuse the influenza 
vaccination for reasons other than medical contraindications (a sample form is 
available at http://tennessee.gov/health/topic/hcf-provider); 
 
3. Education of all employees about the following: 
 
(i) Flu vaccination, 
 
(ii) Non-vaccine control measures, and 
 
(iii) The diagnosis, transmission, and potential impact of influenza; 
 
4. An annual evaluation of the influenza vaccination program and reasons for non-
participation; and 
 
5. A statement that the requirements to complete vaccinations or declination 
statements shall be suspended by the administrator in the event of a vaccine 
shortage as declared by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee. 
 
(g) Every residential hospice shall adopt appropriate policies regarding the testing of 
patients and staff for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and any other identified 
causative agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. 
 
(h) Precautions shall be taken to prevent the contamination of sterile supplies by soiled 
supplies. Sterile supplies shall be packaged and stored in a manner that protects the 
sterility of the contents. Decontamination and preparation areas shall be separated. 
 
(i) Space and facilities for housekeeping equipment and supply storage shall be provided 
in each service area. Storage for bulk supplies and equipment shall be located away 
from patient and resident care areas. The building shall be kept in good repair, clean, 
sanitary and safe at all times. 
 
(j) The facility shall appoint a housekeeping supervisor who shall be responsible for: 
 
1. Organizing and coordinating the facility’s housekeeping service; 
 
2. Acquiring and storing sufficient housekeeping supplies and equipment for facility 
maintenance; and, 
 
3. Assuring the clean and sanitary condition of the facility to provide a safe hygienic 
environment for patients and/or residents and staff. Cleaning shall be 
accomplished in accordance with the infection control rules and regulations 
herein and facility policy. 
 
(k) Laundry facilities located in the residential hospice shall: 
 
1. Be equipped with an area for receiving, processing, storing and distributing clean 
linen; 
 
2. Be located in an area that does not require transportation for storage of soiled or 
contaminated linen through food preparation, storage or dining areas; 
 
3. Provide space for storage of clean linen and for bulk storage within clean areas 
of the facility; and, 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 22 
4. Provide carts, bags or other acceptable containers appropriately marked to 
identify those used for soiled linen and those used for clean linen to prevent dual 
utilization of the equipment and cross contamination. 
 
(l) The facility shall name an individual who is responsible for laundry service. This 
individual shall be responsible for: 
 
1. Establishing a laundry service, either within the residential hospice or by contract, 
that provides the facility with sufficient clean, sanitary linen at all times; 
 
2. Knowing and enforcing infection control rules and regulations for the laundry 
service; 
 
3. Assuring the collection, packaging, transportation and storage of soiled, 
contaminated, and clean linen is in accordance with all applicable infection 
control rules, regulations and procedures; and, 
 
4. Assuring that a contract laundry service complies with all applicable infection 
control rules, regulations and procedures. 
 
(8) Hospice Aide Services. Aide Services must be available and adequate in frequency to meet 
the needs of the patients. 
 
(a) The hospice aide shall be assigned to a particular patient or resident by a registered 
nurse. Written instructions for patient or resident care shall be prepared by a registered 
nurse or therapist as appropriate. Duties may include the performance of simple 
procedures as an extension of therapy services, personal care, ambulation and 
exercises, reporting changes in the patient ’s or resident’s condition and needs, and 
completing appropriate records. 
 
(b) The registered nurse, or appropriate professional staff member, shall monitor and 
assess the hospice aide’ s competence in providing care, relationships and determine 
whether goals are being met. 
 
(c) There shall be regularly scheduled continuing in- service programs which include on-
the-job training as issues are identified. 
 
(9) Physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy and speech language pathology. 
 
(a) Physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, respiratory therapy services 
and speech language pathology services must be available, and when provided, 
offered in a manner consistent with accepted standards of practice. 
 
(b) Speech therapy services shall be provided only by or under supervision of a qualified 
speech language pathologist in good standing, or by a person qualified as a Clinical 
Fellow subject to Tennessee Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences Rule 
1370-01-.10. 
 
(10) Medical supplies. Medical supplies and appliances including drugs and biologicals, must be 
provided as needed for the palliation and management of the terminal illness or conditions 
directly attributable to the terminal diagnosis. 
 
(a) Administration. All drugs and biologicals must be administered in accordance with 
accepted standards of practice, only by appropriately licensed employees of the 
hospice. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 23 
(b) The residential hospice must have a policy for the disposal of controlled drugs when 
those drugs are no longer needed by the patient. 
 
(c) Drugs and biologicals may be administered by the patient or resident or his/her family 
member if the patient’s or resident’s attending physician has approved. 
 
(11) Medical Records. 
 
(a) A medical record containing past and current findings in accordance with accepted 
professional standards shall be maintained for every residential hospice pat ient and/or 
HIV care resident. The record must be complete, promptly and accurately documented, 
readily accessible and systematically organized to facilitate retrieval. Each clinical 
record is a comprehensive compilation of information. Entries are made for all services 
provided. Entries are made and signed by the person providing the services. The 
record includes all services whether furnished directly or under arrangements made by 
the hospice. Each individual’s record must contain: 
 
1. The initial and subsequent assessments; 
 
2. The plan of care; 
 
3. Identification data; 
 
4. Consent and authorization and election forms; 
 
5. Pertinent medical history; and 
 
6. Complete documentation of all services and events, including but not limited to 
evaluations, treatments and progress notes. 
 
(b) All medical records, either written, electronic, graphic or otherwise acceptable form, 
must be retained in their original or legally reproduced form for a minimum period of at 
least (10) years after which such records may be destroyed. However, in cases of 
patients or residents under mental disability or minority, their complete residential 
hospice records shall be retained for the period of minority or known mental disability, 
plus one (1) year, or ten (10) years following the discharge of the patient or resident, 
whichever is longer. Records destruction shall be accomplished by burning, shredding 
or other effective method in keeping with the confidential nature of the contents. The 
destruction of records must be made in the ordinary course of business, must be 
documented and in accordance with the residential hospice’ s policies and procedures, 
and no record may be destroyed on an individual basis. 
 
(c) Even if the residential hospice discontinues operations, records shall be maintained as 
mandated by these rules and the Tennessee Medical Records Act (see T.C.A. § 68-11-
308). If a patient or resident is transferred to another health care facility or agency, a 
copy of the record or an abstract shall accompany the patient or resident when the 
residential hospice is directly involved in the transfer. 
 
(d) The residential hospice must have a procedure for ensuring the confidentiality of 
patient and resident records. Information from, or copies of, records may be released 
only to authorized individuals, and the facility must ensure that unauthorized individuals 
cannot gain access to, or alter , patient or resident records. Original medical records 
must be released by the facility only in accordance with federal and state laws. 
 
(e) For purposes of this rule, the requirements for signature or countersignature by a 
physician or other person responsible for signing, countersigning and entry may be 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 24 
satisfied by the electronic entry by such person of a unique code assigned exclusively 
to him or her, or by entry of other unique electronic or mechanical symbols, provided 
that such person has adopted same as his or her signature in accordance with 
established protocol or rules. 
 
(f) All entries must be legible, complete, dated and authenticated according to facility 
policy. 
 
(12) Pharmaceutical Services. 
 
(a) The residential hospice shall have pharmaceutical services that meet the needs of the 
residents and are in accordance with the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy statutes and 
regulations. The facility is responsible for developing policies and procedures that 
minimize drug errors. 
 
(b) Test reagents, germicides, and disinfectants shall be stored separately from drugs, 
devices and related materials. External drugs and related materials must be stored 
separately from internal drugs, devices and related materials. All drugs, devices and 
related materials must be properly labeled. They shall be properly stored in medicine 
compartments, including cabinets on wheels, or drug rooms. Such cabinets or drug 
rooms shall be kept securely locked when not in use and the key must be in the 
possession of the supervising nurse or other authorized persons. 
 
(c) Schedule II drugs must be stored behind two (2) separately locked doors at all times 
and accessible only to persons in charge of administering medication. 
 
(d) Every residential hospice shall comply with all state and federal regulations governing 
Schedule II drugs. 
 
(e) A notation shall be made in a Schedule II drug book and in the patient ’s or resident ’s 
nursing notes each time a Schedule II drug is given. The notation shall include the 
name of the patient or resident receiving the drug, name of the drug, the dosage given, 
the method of administration, the date and time given and the name of the physician 
prescribing the drug. 
 
(f) All oral orders shall be immediately recorded, designated as such and signed by the 
person receiving them and countersigned by the physician within ten (10) days. 
 
(g) All orders for drugs, devices and related materials must be in writing and signed by the 
practitioner or practitioners responsible for the care of the patient or resident. Electronic 
and computer -generated records and signature entries are acceptable. When 
telephone or oral orders must be used, they shall be: 
 
1. Accepted only by personnel that are authorized to do so by the medical staff 
policies and procedures, consistent with federal and state law; and, 
 
2. Signed or initialed by the prescribing practitioner according to residential hospice 
policy. 
 
(h) Medications not specifically limited as to time or number of doses when ordered are 
controlled by automatic stop orders or other methods in accordance with written 
policies. No Schedule II drug shall be given or continued beyond seventy -two (72) 
hours without a written order by the physician. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 25 
(i) Medication administration records (MAR) shall be checked against the physician’ s 
orders. Each dose shall be properly recorded in the clinical record after it has been 
administered. 
 
(j) Preparation of doses for more than one scheduled administration time shall not be 
permitted. 
 
(k) Medication shall be administered only by licensed medical or licensed nursing 
personnel or other licensed health professionals acting within the scope of their license. 
 
(l) Unless the unit dose package system is used, individual prescriptions of drugs shall be 
kept in the original container with the original label intact showing the name of the 
patient or resident, the drug, the physician, the prescription number and the date 
dispensed. 
 
(m) Legend drugs shall be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. 
 
(n) Any unused portions of prescriptions shall be turned over to the patient or resident only 
on a w ritten order by the physician. A notation of drugs released to the patient or 
resident shall be entered into the medical record. All unused prescriptions left in a 
residential hospice shall be destroyed on the premises and recorded by a pharmacist. 
Such record shall be kept in the residential hospice. 
 
(13) Laboratory Services. 
 
The residential hospice must maintain or have available, either directly or through a 
contractual agreement, adequate laboratory services to meet the needs of the patients and/or 
residents. The residential hospice must ensure that all laboratory services provided to its 
patients and/or residents are performed in a facility licensed in accordance with the 
Tennessee Medical Laboratory Act (TMLA). All technical laboratory staff shall be licensed in 
accordance with the TMLA and shall be qualified by education, training and experience for 
the type of services rendered. 
 
(14) Food and Dietetic Services. 
 
(a) The residential hospice must designate a person, either directly or by contractual 
agreement, to serve as the food and dietetic services director with responsibility for the 
daily management of the dietary services. 
 
(b) There must be a qualified dietitian, full -time, part-time, or on a consultant basis who is 
responsible for the development and implementation of a nutrition care process to meet 
the needs of patients and/or residents for health maintenance, disease prevention and, 
when necessary, medical nutrition therapy to treat an illness, injury or condition. 
 
(c) Menus must meet the needs of the patients and/or residents. 
 
1. Therapeutic diets must be prescribed by the practitioner or practitioners 
responsible for the care of the patients and/or residents and must be prepared 
and served as prescribed. 
 
2. Special diets shall be prepared and served as ordered. 
 
3. Nutritional needs must be met in accordance with recognized dietary practices 
and in accordance with orders of the practitioner or practitioners responsible for 
the care of the patients and/or residents. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.06, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 26 
4. A current therapeutic diet manual approved by the dietitian and medical director 
must be readily available to all medical, nursing, and food service personnel. 
 
(d) Education programs, including orientation, on- the-job training, inservice education, and 
continuing education shall be offered to dietetic services personnel on a regular basis. 
Programs shall include instruction in the use of equipment, personal hygiene, proper 
inspection, and the handling, preparing and serving of food. 
 
(e) A minimum of three (3) meals in each twenty -four (24) hour period shall be offered. A 
supplemental night meal shall be offered if more than fourteen (14) hours lapse 
between supper and breakfast. Additional nourishments shall be provided to patients 
and/ or residents with special dietary needs. A minimum of three (3) days supply of 
food shall be on hand. 
 
(f) Food shall be protected from dust, flies, rodents, unnecessary handling, droplet 
infection, overhead leakage and other sources of contamination whether in storage, 
while being prepared and served, and/or transported through hallways. 
 
(g) Perishable food shall not be allowed to stand at room temperature except during 
necessary periods of preparation or serving. Prepared foods shall be kept hot (140 °F 
or above) or cold (45 °F or less). Appropriate equipment for temperature maintenance, 
such as hot and cold serving units or insulated containers, shall be used. 
 
(h) Dishwashing machines shall be used according to manufacturer specifications. 
 
(i) All dishes, glassware and utensils used in the preparation and serving of food and drink 
shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use. 
 
(j) The cleaning and sanitizing of handwashed dishes shall be accomplished by using a 
three-compartment sink according to the current “ U.S. Public Health Service Sanitation 
Manual.” 
 
(k) The kitchen shall contain sufficient refrigeration equipment and space for the storage of 
perishable foods. 
 
(l) All refrigerators and freezers shall have thermometers. Refrigerators shall be kept at a 
temperature not to exceed 45 °F. Freezers shall be kept at a temperature not to exceed 
0 °F. 
 
(m) Written policies and procedures shall be followed concerning the scope of food 
services in accordance with the current edition of the “ U.S. Public Health Service 
Recommended Ordinance and Code Regulating Eating and Drinking Establishments ” 
and the current “ U.S. Public Health Service Sanitation Manual ” should be used as a 
guide to food sanitation. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 68-11-202, 68- 11-204, 68- 11-206, and 68-11-209. 
Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective November 1, 1995. Repeal and 
new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed November 22, 2005; effective 
February 5, 2006. Amendment filed March 27, 2015; effective June 25, 2015. Amendment filed 
September 15, 2015; effective December 14, 2015. Amendments filed July 18, 2016; effective October 
16, 2016. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 
2022. 

STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
March, 2026 (Revised) 27 
0720-23-.07 RESERVED. 
 
Administrative History: Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 
effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.08 BUILDING STANDARDS. 
 
(1) A residential hospice shall construct, arrange, and maintain the condition of the physical plant 
and the overall residential hospice environment in such a manner that the safety and well -
being of the patients are assured. 
 
(2) After the applicant has submitted an application and licensure fees, the applicant must submit 
the building construction plans to the department. All facilities shall conform to the current 
edition of the following applicable codes as approved by the Board for Licensing Health Care 
Facilities: International Building Code (excluding Chapters 1 and 11) including referenced 
International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, and International Plumbing 
Code; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA 101 Life Safety Code excluding 
referenced NFPA 5000; Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities 
(FGI) including referenced Codes and Standards; U.S. Public Health Service Food Code; and 
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. When referring to 
height, area or constr uction type, the International Building Code shall prevail. Where there 
are conflicts between requirements in local codes, the above listed codes, regulations and 
provisions of this chapter, the most stringent requirements shall apply. 
 
(3) The codes in effect at the time of submittal of plans and specifications, as defined by these 
rules, shall be the codes to be used throughout the project. 
 
(4) The licensed contractor shall perform all new construction and renovations to residential 
hospices, other than minor alterations not affecting fire and life safety or functional issues, in 
accordance with the specific requirements of these regulations governing new construction in 
residential hospices, including the submission of phased construction plans and the final 
drawings and the specifications to each. 
 
(5) No new residential hospice shall be constructed, nor shall major alterations be made to an 
existing resident hospice without prior written approval of the department, and unless in 
accordance with plans and specifications approved in advance by the department. Before 
any new residential hospice is licensed or before any alteration or expansion of a licensed 
residential hospice can be approved, the applicant must furnish two (2) complete sets of 
plans and specifications to the department, together with fees and other information as 
required. Plans and specifications for new construction and major renovations, other than 
minor alterations not affecting fire and life safety or functional issues, shall be prepared by or 
under the direction of a licensed architect and/or a licensed engineer and in accordance with 
the rules of the Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners. 
 
(6) Final working drawings and specifications shall be accurately dimensioned and include all 
necessary explanatory notes, schedules and legends. The working drawings and 
specifications shall be complete and adequate for contract purposes. 
 
(7) Detailed plans shall be drawn to a scale of at least one- eighth inch equals one foot (1/8” = 1’), 
and shall show the general arrangement of the building, the intended purpose and the fixed 
equipment in each room, with such additional information as the department may require. An 
architect or engineer licensed to practice in the State of Tennessee shall prepare the plans 
the department requires. 
 
(a) The project architect or engineer shall forward two (2) sets of plans to the appropriate 
section of the department for review. After receipt of approval of phased construction 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.08, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 28 
plans, the owner may proceed with site grading and foundation work prior to receipt of 
approval of final plans and specifications with the owner ’s understanding that such 
work is at the owner ’s own risk and without assurance that final approval of final plans 
and specifications shall be granted. The project architect or engineer shall submit final 
plans and specifications for review and approval. The department must grant final 
approval before the project proceeds beyond foundation work. 
 
(b) Review of plans does not eliminate responsibility of owner and/or architect to comply 
with all rules and regulations. 
 
(8) Specifications shall supplement all drawings. They shall describe the characteristics of all 
materials, products and devices, unless fully described and indicated on the drawings. 
Specification copies should be bound in an 8½ x 11 inch folder. 
 
(9) Drawings and specifications shall be prepared for each of the following branches of work: 
Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Sprinkler. 
 
(10) Architectural drawings shall include where applicable: 
 
(a) Plot plan(s) showing property lines, finish grade, location of existing and proposed 
structures, roadways, walks, utilities and parking areas; 
 
(b) Floor plan(s) showing scale drawings of typical and special rooms, indicating all fixed 
and movable equipment and major items of furniture; 
 
(c) Separate life safety plans showing the compartment(s), all means of egress and exit 
markings, exits and travel distances, dimensions of compartments and calculation and 
tabulation of exit units. All fire and smoke walls must be identified; 
 
(d) The elevation of each facade; 
 
(e) The typical sections throughout the building; 
 
(f) The schedule of finishes; 
 
(g) The schedule of doors and windows; 
 
(h) Roof plans; 
 
(i) Details and dimensions of elevator shaft(s), car platform(s), doors, pit(s), equipment in 
the machine room, and the rates of car travel must be indicated for elevators; and 
 
(j) Code analysis. 
 
(11) Structural drawings shall include where applicable: 
 
(a) Plans of foundations, floors, roofs and intermediate levels which show a complete 
design with sizes, sections and the relative location of the various members; 
 
(b) Schedules of beams, girders and columns; and 
 
(c) Design live load values for wind, roof, floor, stairs, guard, handrails, and seismic. 
 
(12) Mechanical drawings shall include where applicable: 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.08, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 29 
(a) Specifications which show the complete heating, ventilating, fire protection, medical 
gas systems and air conditioning systems; 
 
(b) Water supply, sewerage and HVAC piping systems; 
 
(c) Pressure relationships shall be shown on all floor plans; 
 
(d) Heating, ventilating, HVAC piping, medical gas systems and air conditioning systems 
with all related piping and auxiliaries to provide a satisfactory installation; 
 
(e) Water supply, sewage and drainage with all lines, risers, catch basins, manholes and 
cleanouts clearly indicated as to location, size, capacities, etc., and location and 
dimensions of septic tank and disposal field; and 
 
(f) Color coding to show clearly supply, return and exhaust systems. 
 
(13) Electrical drawings shall include where applicable: 
 
(a) A seal, certifying that all electrical work and equipment is in compliance with all 
applicable codes and that all materials are currently listed by recognized testing 
laboratories; 
 
(b) All electrical wiring, outlets, riser diagrams, switches, special electrical connections, 
electrical service entrance with service switches, service feeders and characteristics of 
the light and power current, and transformers when located within the building; 
 
(c) An electrical system that complies with applicable codes; 
 
(d) Color coding to show all items on emergency power; 
 
(e) Circuit breakers that are properly labeled; and 
 
(f) Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) that are required in all wet areas, such as 
kitchens, laundries, janitor closets, bath and toilet rooms, etc, and within six (6) feet of 
any lavatory. 
 
(14) The electrical drawings shall not include knob and tube wiring, shall not include electrical 
cords that have splices, and shall not show that the electrical system is overloaded. 
 
(15) In all new facilities or renovations to existing electrical systems, the installation must be 
approved by an inspector or agency authorized by the State Fire Marshal. 
 
(16) Sprinkler drawings shall include where applicable: 
 
(a) Shop drawings, hydraulic calculations, and manufacturer cut sheets; 
 
(b) Site plan showing elevation of fire hydrant to building, test hydrant, and flow data ( data 
from within a 12-month period); and 
 
(c) Show “Point of Service” where water is used exclusively for fire protection purposes. 
 
(17) The licensed contractor shall not install a system of water supply, plumbing, sewage, garbage 
or refuse disposal nor materially alter or extend any existing system until the architect or 
engineer submits complete plans and specifications for the installation, alteration or 
extension to the department demonstrating that all applicable codes have been met and the 
department has granted necessary approval. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.08, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 30 
 
(a) Before the residential hospice is used, Tennessee Department of Environment and 
Conservation shall approve the water supply system. 
 
(b) Sewage shall be discharged into a municipal system or approved package system 
where available; otherwise, the sewage shall be treated and disposed of in a manner of 
operation approved by the Department of Environment and Conservation and shall 
comply with existing codes, ordinances and regulations which are enforced by cities, 
counties or other areas of local political jurisdiction. 
 
(c) Water distribution systems shall be arranged to provide hot water at each hot water 
outlet at all times. Hot water at shower, bathing and hand washing facilities shall be 
between 105°F and 115°F. 
 
(18) It shall be demonstrated through the submission of plans and specifications that in each 
residential hospice a negative air pressure shall be maintained in the soiled utility area, toilet 
room, janitor’s closet, dishwashing and other such soiled spaces, and a positive air pressure 
shall be maintained in all clean areas including, but not limited to, clean linen rooms and 
clean utility rooms. 
 
(19) The department shall acknowledge that it has reviewed plans and specifications in writing 
with copies sent to the project architect, the project engineer, the owner, the manager or 
other executive of the institution. The department may modify the distribution of such review 
at its discretion. 
 
(20) In the event submitted materials do not appear to satisfactorily comply with 0720-23-.08(2), 
the department shall furnish a letter to the party submitting the plans which shall list the 
particular items in question and request further explanation and/or confirmation of necessary 
modifications. 
 
(21) The licensed contractor shall execute all construction in accordance with the approved plans 
and specifications. 
 
(22) If construction begins within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of department 
approval, the department ’s written notification of satisfactory review constitutes compliance 
with 0720-23-.08(2). This approval shall in no way permit and/or authorize any omission or 
deviation from the requirements of any restrictions, laws, regulations, ordinances, codes or 
rules of any responsible agency. 
 
(23) Prior to final inspection, a CD Rom disc, in TIF or PDF format, of the final approved plans 
including all shop drawings, sprinkler, calculations, hood and duct, addenda, specifications, 
etc., shall be submitted to the department. 
 
(24) The department requires the following alarms that shall be monitored twenty -four (24) hours 
per day: 
 
(a) Fire alarms; and 
 
(b) Generators (if applicable). 
 
(25) Each residential hospice shall ensure that an emergency keyed lock box is installed next to 
each bank of functioning elevators located on the main level. Such lock boxes shall be 
permanently mounted seventy -two inches (72” ) from the floor to the center of the box, be 
operable by a universal key no matter where such box is located, and shall contain only fire 
service keys and drop keys to the appropriate elevators. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.08, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 31 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4- 5-204, 68- 11-202, 68- 11-204, 68- 11-206, 68- 11-209, and 68- 11-261. 
Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective November 1, 1995. Repeal and 
new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed February 18, 2003; effective May 
4, 2003. Repeal and new rule filed November 22, 2005; effective February 5, 2006. Amendment filed 
February 23, 2007; effective May 9, 2007. Repeal and new rule filed December 20, 2011; effective March 
19, 2012. Amendment filed January 21, 2016; effective Apr il 20, 2016. Transferred from chapter 1200-08-
15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.09 LIFE SAFETY. 
 
(1) Any residential hospice facility which complies with the required applicable building and fire 
safety regulations at the time the board adopts new codes or regulations will, so long as such 
compliance is maintained (either with or without waivers of specific provisions), be 
considered to be in compliance with the requirements of the new codes or regulations. 
 
(2) The residential hospice facility shall provide fire protection by the elimination of fire hazards, 
by the installation of necessary fire fighting equipment and by the adoption of a written fire 
control plan. All fires which result in a response by the local fire department shall be reported 
to the department within seven (7) days. The report shall contain sufficient information to 
ascertain the nature and location of the fire, its probable cause and any injuries incurred by 
any person or persons as a result of the fire. 
 
(3) The residential hospice facility must be designed and equipped for the comfort and privacy of 
each hospice patient and or HIV care resident and family member(s) by providing physical 
space for private patient/family or resident/family visiting, accommodations for family 
members to remain with the patient and/or resident throughout the night, accommodations for 
family privacy following a patient’s or resident’s death, and decor which is home-like in design 
and function. 
 
(a) Any condition on the residential hospice site conducive to the harboring or breeding of 
insects, rodents or other vermin shall be prohibited. Chemical substances of a 
poisonous nature used to control or eliminate vermin shall be properly identified. Such 
substances shall not be stored with or near food or medications. 
 
(b) Telephones shall be readily accessible and at least one (1) shall be equipped with 
sound amplification and shall be accessible to wheelchair patients and/or residents. 
 
(c) Equipment and supplies for physical examination and emergency treatment of patients 
and/or residents shall be available. 
 
(d) A bed complete with mattress and pillow shall be provided. In addition, patients and/or 
residents units shall be provided with at least one chair, a bedside table, an over bed 
tray and adequate storage space for toilet articles, clothing and personal belongings. 
 
(e) Individual wash cloths, towels and bed linens must be provided for each patient and/or 
resident. Linen shall not be interchanged from patient to patient or resident to resident 
until it has been properly laundered. 
 
(f) Bath basin water service, emesis basin, bedpan and urinal shall be individually 
provided. 
 
(g) Items of equipment coming into intimate contact with patients and/or residents shall be 
disinfected or sterilized after each use unless individual equipment for each is provided 
and then sterilized or disinfected between patients and/or residents and as often as 
necessary to maintain them in a clean and sanitary condition. Single use, disposable 
items are acceptable but shall not be reused. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.09, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 32 
 
(h) The facility shall have written policies and procedures governing care of patients and/or 
residents during the failure of the air conditioning, heating or ventilation system, 
including plans for hypothermia and hyperthermia. When the temperature of any 
patient/resident area falls below 65 °F. or exceeds 85 °F., or is reasonably expected to 
do so, the facility shall be alerted to the potential danger, and the Department shall be 
notified. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4- 5-204, 68- 11-202, 68- 11-204, 68- 11-206, and 68- 11-209. 
Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective November 1, 1995. Repeal and 
new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Repeal and new rule filed November 22, 2005; 
effective February 5, 2006. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 
2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.10 INFECTIOUS AND HAZARDOUS WASTE. 
 
(1) Each residential hospice must develop, maintain and implement written policies and 
procedures for the definition and handling of its infectious and h azardous wastes. These 
policies and procedures must comply with the standards of this section and all other 
applicable state and federal regulations. 
 
(2) The following waste shall be considered to be infectious waste: 
 
(a) Waste contaminated by patients/residents who are isolated due to communicable 
disease, as provided in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control “Guidelines for Isolation 
Precautions in Hospitals”; 
 
(b) Cultures and stocks of infectious agents including specimen cultures collected from 
medical and pathological laboratories, cultures and stocks of infectious agents from 
research and industrial laboratories, wastes from the production of biologicals, 
discarded live and attenuated vaccines, culture dishes and devices used to transfer, 
inoculate, and mix cultures; 
 
(c) Waste human blood and blood products such as serum, plasma, and other blood 
components; 
 
(d) All discarded sharps (including but not limited to, hypodermic needles, syringes, 
pasteur pipettes, broken glass and scalpel blades) used in patient/resident care or 
which have come into contact with infectious agents during use in medical, research, or 
industrial laboratories; 
 
(e) Other waste determined to be infectious by the facility in its written policy. 
 
(3) Infectious and hazardous waste must be segregated from other waste at the point of 
generation (i.e., the point at which the material becomes a waste) within the facility. 
 
(4) Waste must be packaged in a manner that will protect waste handlers and the public from 
possible injury and disease that may result from exposure to the waste. Such packaging must 
provide for containment of the waste from the point of generation up to the point of proper 
treatment or disposal. Packaging must be selected and utilized for the type of waste the 
package will contain, how the waste will be treated and disposed, and how it will be handled 
and transported, prior to treatment and disposal. 
 
(a) Contaminated sharps must be directly placed in leakproof, rigid, and puncture- resistant 
containers which must then be tightly sealed; 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.10, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 33 
(b) Whether disposable or reusable, all containers, bags, and boxes used for containment 
and disposal of infectious waste must be conspicuously identified. Packages containing 
infectious waste which pose additional hazards, including but not limited to, chemical 
and radiological must also be conspicuously identified to clearly indicate those 
additional hazards; 
 
(c) Reusable containers for infectious waste must be thoroughly sanitized each time they 
are emptied, unless the surfaces of the containers have been completely protected 
from contamination by disposable liners or other devices removed with the waste; and, 
 
(d) Opaque packaging must be used for pathological waste. 
 
(5) After packaging, waste must be handled and transported by methods ensuring containment 
and preserving the integrity of the packaging, including the use of secondary containment 
where necessary. 
 
(a) Waste must not be compacted or ground (i.e., in a mechanical grinder) prior to 
treatment, except that pathological waste may be ground prior to disposal; and, 
 
(b) Plastic bags of infectious waste must be transported by hand. 
 
(6) Waste must be stored in a manner which preserves the integrity of the packaging, inhibits 
rapid microbial growth and putrefaction, and minimizes the potential of exposure or access by 
unknowing persons. Waste must be stored in a manner and location which affords protection 
from animals, precipitation, wind, direct sunlight, does not present a safety hazard, does not 
provide a breeding place or food source for insects or rodents and does not create a 
nuisance. 
 
(7) In the event of spills, ruptured packaging, or other incidents where there is a loss of 
containment of waste, the facility must ensure that proper actions are immediately taken to: 
 
(a) Isolate the area from the public and non-essential personnel; 
 
(b) To the extent practicable, repackage all spilled waste and contaminated debris in 
accordance with the requirements of this section; 
 
(c) Sanitize all contaminated equipment and surfaces appropriately and in accordance with 
written policies and procedure; and, 
 
(d) Complete an incident report and maintain a copy on file. 
 
(8) Except as provided otherwise in this section, a facility must treat or dispose of infectious 
waste by one or more of the methods specified in this part. 
 
(a) A facility may treat infectious waste in an on- site sterilization or disinfection device, or 
in an incinerator or a steam sterilizer, which has been designed, constructed, operated 
and maintained so that infectious waste treated in such a device is rendered non-
infectious and is, if applicable, authorized for that purpose pursuant to current rules of 
the Department of Environment and Conservation. A valid permit or other written 
evidence of having complied with the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Regula tions shall 
be available for review, if required. Each sterilizing or disinfecting cycle must contain 
appropriate indicators to assure conditions were met for proper sterilization or 
disinfection of materials included in the cycle, and records kept. Proper operation of 
such devices must be verified at least monthly, and records of these monthly checks 
shall be available for review. Waste that contains toxic chemicals that would be 
volatilized by steam must not be treated in steam sterilizers. Infectious waste that has 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.10, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 34 
been rendered to a carbonized or mineralized ash shall be deemed non- infectious, 
unless otherwise hazardous and subject to the hazardous waste management 
requirements of the current rules of the Department of Environment and Conservation, 
such ash shall be disposable as a (non- hazardous) solid waste under current rules of 
the Department of Environment and Conservation. 
 
(b) The facility may discharge liquid or semi -liquid infectious waste to the collection 
sewerage system of a wastewater treatment facility which is subject to a permit 
pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 69-3-101, et seq., provided that such discharge is in accordance 
with any applicable terms of that permit and/or any applicable municipal sewer use 
requirements. 
 
(c) Any health care facility accepting waste from another state must promptly notify the 
Department of Environment and Conservation, county, and city public health agencies, 
and must strictly comply with all applicable local, state and federal regulations. 
 
(9) The facility may have waste transported off -site for storage, treatment, or disposal. Such 
arrangements must be detailed in a written contract, available for review. If such off -site 
location is in Tennessee, the facility must ensure that it has all necessary state and local 
approvals, and such approvals shall be available for review. If the off- site location is in 
another state, the facility must notify in writing all public health agencies with jurisdiction that 
the location is being used for management of the facility ’s waste. Waste shipped off-site must 
be packaged in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements. Waste 
transported to a sanitary landfill in this state must meet the requirements of current rules of 
the Department of Environment and Conservation. 
 
(10) All garbage, trash and other non- infectious waste shall be stored and disposed of in a 
manner that shall not permit the transmission of disease, create a nuisance, provide a 
breeding place for insects and rodents, or constitute a safety hazard. All containers for waste 
shall be water tight, constructed of easily -cleanable material and shall be kept on elevated 
platforms. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 68- 11-202, 68- 11-204, 68- 11-206, and 68 -11-209. Administrative 
History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective November 1, 1995. Repeal and new rule filed April 
27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 
of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.11 RECORDS AND REPORTS. 
 
(1) A yearly statistical report, the “Joint Annual Report” shall be submitted to the department. The 
forms are mailed to each residential hospice by the department each year. The forms must 
be completed and returned to the department as requested. 
 
(2) The residential hospice shall report each case of communicable disease to the local county 
health officer in the manner provided by existing regulations. Failure to report a 
communicable disease may result in disciplinary action, including revocation of the facility ’s 
license. 
 
(3) The residential hospice shall report all incidents of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation to 
the Department of Health in accordance with T.C.A. § 68-11-211. 
 
(4) The residential hospice shall report the following incidents to the Department of Health in 
accordance with T.C.A. § 68-11-211. 
 
(a) Strike by staff at the facility; 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.11, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 35 
(b) External disasters impacting the facility; 
 
(c) Disruption of any service vital to the continued safe operation of the residential hospice 
or to the health and safety of its patients and personnel; and 
 
(d) Fires at the residential hospice that disrupt the provision of patient care services or 
cause harm to the patients or staff, or that are reported by the facility to any entity, 
including but not limited to a fire department charged with preventing fires. 
 
(5) The residential hospice shall retain legible copies of the following records and reports for 
thirty-six (36) months following their issuance. They shall be maintained in a single file, and 
shall be made available for inspection during normal business hours to any person who 
requests to view them: 
 
(a) Local fire safety inspections; 
 
(b) Local building code inspections, if any; 
 
(c) Fire marshal reports; 
 
(d) Department licensure and fire safety inspections and surveys; 
 
(e) Federal Health Care Financing Administration surveys and inspections, if any; 
 
(f) Orders of the Commissioner or Board, if any; 
 
(g) Comptroller of the Treasury’s audit reports and finding, if any; and, 
 
(h) Maintenance records of all safety equipment. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 68-11-202, 68-11-204, 68-11-206, 68-11-207, 68-11-209, 68-11-
210, 68-11-211, 68-11-213, and 68-11-216. Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; 
effective November 1, 1995. Repeal and new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. 
Amendment filed April 11, 2003; effective June 25, 2003. Amendments filed January 3, 2012; effective 
April 2, 2012. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective 
July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.12 PATIENT/RESIDENT RIGHTS. 
 
(1) The residential hospice shall establish and implement written policies and procedures setting 
forth the rights of patients and residents for the protection and preservation of dignity and 
individuality. Each patient and resident has at least the following rights: 
 
(a) To privacy in treatment and personal care; 
 
(b) To privacy, for visits by his/her spouse or significant other; 
 
(c) To share a room with his/her spouse or significant other; 
 
(d) To be different in order to promote social, religious, and psychological well being; 
 
(e) To privately talk and/or meet with and see any person; 
 
(f) To send and receive mail promptly and unopened; 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.12, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 36 
(g) To be free from mental and physical abuse. Should this right be violated, the facility 
must notify the Department within five (5) business days of the incident and the 
Tennessee Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services as required by 
T.C.A. §§ 71-6-101 et seq.; 
 
(h) To be free from chemical and physical restraints; 
 
(i) To meet and take part in activities of social, commercial, religious, and community 
groups. The administrator may refuse access to the facility to any person if that 
person’s presence would be injurious to the health and safety of a patient/resident or 
staff, or would threaten the security of the property of the patient or resident, staff or 
facility; 
 
(j) To retain and use personal clothing and possessions as space permits; 
 
(k) To be free from being required by the facility to work or perform services; 
 
(l) To be fully informed by a physician of his/her health and medical condition. The facility 
shall give the patient or resident and family the opportunity to participate in planning the 
patient’s or resident’s care and medical treatment; 
 
(m) To have appropriate assessment and management of pain; 
 
(n) To be involved in the decision making of all aspects of their care; 
 
(o) To refuse treatment. The patient or resident must be informed of the consequences of 
that decision. The refusal and its reason must be reported to the physician and 
documented in the medical record; 
 
(p) To refuse experimental treatment and drugs. The patient ’s/resident’s or health care 
decision-maker’s written consent for participation in research must be obtained and 
retained in the medical record; 
 
(q) To have records kept confidential and private. Written consent by the patient and/or 
resident must be obtained prior to release of information except to persons authorized 
by law. If the patient and/or resident lacks capacity, written consent is required from the 
patient and/or resident ’s health care decision- maker. The residential hospice must 
have policies to govern access and duplication of the patient’s and/or resident’s record; 
 
(r) To manage personal financial affairs. Any request by the patient or resident for 
assistance must be in writing. A request for any additional person to have access to a 
patient’s or resident’s funds must also be in writing; 
 
(s) To be told in writing before or at the time of admission about the services available in 
the facility, about any extra charges and charges for services not covered; 
 
(t) To be free from discrimination because of the exercise of the right to speak and voice 
complaints; 
 
(u) To exercise his/her own independent judgment by executing any documents, including 
admission forms; and 
 
(v) To voice grievances and complaints, and to recommend changes in policies and 
services to the facility staff, or outside representatives of the patient ’s or resident ’s 
choice. The facility shall establish a grievance procedure and fully inform the patient or 
resident and family of same. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.12, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 37 
 
(2) The rights set forth in this section may be abridged, restricted, limited or amended only as 
follows: 
 
(a) When medically contraindicated; 
 
(b) When necessary to protect and preserve the rights of the patients or residents in the 
facility; or 
 
(c) When contradicted by the explicit provisions of another rule of the board. 
 
(3) Any reduction in patients ’ or resident’s rights must be explicit, reasonable, appropriate to the 
justification, the least restrictive response feasible, shall be explained to the patient or 
resident, and must be documented in the individual patient ’s or resident ’s record by reciting 
the limitation’s reason and scope. 
 
(4) Patients’ and/or residents’ pets and other animals utilized for pet therapy programs shall be 
allowed in the facility. The facility shall designate in its policies and procedures those areas 
where animals will be excluded. The areas designated shall be determined based upon an 
assessment of the facility performed by medically trained personnel. 
 
(5) Each patient or resident has a right to self -determination, which encompasses the right to 
make choices regarding life- sustaining treatment (including resuscitative services). This right 
of self-determination may be effectuated by an advance directive. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4- 5-204, 68- 11-202, 68- 11-204, 68- 11-206, and 68- 11-209. 
Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective November 1, 1995. Repeal and 
new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed June 18, 2002; effective 
September 1, 2002. Amendments filed November 22, 2005; effective February 5, 2006. Transferred from 
chapter 1200-08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.13 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR HEALTH CARE DECISION-MAKING. 
 
(1) Pursuant to this r ule, each residential hospice shall maintain and establish policies and 
procedures governing the designation of a health care decision- maker for making health care 
decisions for a patient or resident who is incompetent or who lacks capacity, including but not 
limited to allowing the withholding of CPR measures from individual patients or residents. An 
adult or emancipated minor may give an individual instruction. The instruction may be oral or 
written. The instruction may be limited to take effect only if a specified condition arises. 
 
(2) An adult or emancipated minor may execute an advance directive for health care. The 
advance directive may authorize an agent to make any health care decision the patient or 
resident could have made while having capacity, or may limit the power of the agent, and 
may include individual instructions. The effect of an advance directive that makes no 
limitation on the agent ’s authority shall be to authorize the agent to make any health care 
decision the patient or resident could have made while having capacity. 
 
(3) The advance directive shall be in writing, signed by the patient or resident, and shall either be 
notarized or witnessed by two (2) witnesses. Both witnesses shall be competent adults, and 
neither of them may be the agent. At least one (1) of the witnesses shall be a person who is 
not related to the patient or resident by blood, marriage, or adoption and would not be entitled 
to any portion of the estate of the patient or resident upon the death of the patient or resident. 
The advance directive shall contain a clause that attests that the witnesses comply with the 
requirements of this paragraph. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.13, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 38 
(4) Unless otherwise specified in an advance directive, the authority of an agent becomes 
effective only upon a determination that the patient or resident lacks capacity, and ceases to 
be effective upon a determination that the patient or resident has recovered capacity. 
 
(5) A facility may use any advanced directive form that meets the requirements of the Tennessee 
Health Care Decisions Act or has been developed and issued by the Board for Licensing 
Health Care Facilities. 
 
(6) A determination that a patient or resident lacks or has recovered capacity, or that another 
condition exists that affects an individual instruction or the authority of an agent shall be 
made by the designated physician, who is authorized to consult with such other persons as 
he or she may deem appropriate. 
 
(7) An agent shall make a health care decision in accordance with the patient ’s or resident ’s 
individual instructions, if any, and other wishes to the extent known to the agent. Otherwise, 
the agent shall make the decision in accordance with the patient ’s or resident’s best interest. 
In determining the patient ’s or resident ’s best interest, the agent shall consider the patient ’s 
or resident’s personal values to the extent known. 
 
(8) An advance directive may include the individual’s nomination of a court-appointed guardian. 
 
(9) A health care facility shall honor an advance directive that is executed outside of this state by 
a nonresident of this state at the time of execution if that advance directive is in compliance 
with the laws of Tennessee or the state of the patient’s or resident’s residence. 
 
(10) No health care provider or institution shall require the execution or revocation of an advance 
directive as a condition for being insured for, or receiving, health care. 
 
(11) Any living will, durable power of attorney for health care, or other instrument signed by the 
individual, complying with the terms of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 32, Chapter 11, and 
a durable power of attorney for health care complying with the terms of Tennessee Code 
Annotated, Title 34, Chapter 6, Part 2, shall be given effect and interpreted in accord with 
those respective acts. Any advance directive that does not evidence an intent to be given 
effect under those acts but that complies with these regulations may be treated as an 
advance directive under these regulations. 
 
(12) A patient or resident having capacity may revoke the designation of an agent only by a 
signed writing or by personally informing the supervising health care provider. 
 
(13) A patient or resident having capacity may revoke all or part of an advance directive, other 
than the designation of an agent, at any time and in any manner that communicates an intent 
to revoke. 
 
(14) A decree of annulment, divorce, dissolution of marriage, or legal separation revokes a 
previous designation of a spouse as an agent unless otherwise specified in the decree or in 
an advance directive. 
 
(15) An advance directive that conflicts with an earlier advance directive revokes the earlier 
directive to the extent of the conflict. 
 
(16) Surrogates. 
 
(a) An adult or emancipated minor may designate any individual to act as surrogate by 
personally informing the supervising health care provider. The designation may be oral 
or written. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.13, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 39 
(b) A surrogate may make a health care decision for a patient or resident who is an adult 
or emancipated minor if and only if: 
 
1. The patient or resident has been determined by the designated physician to lack 
capacity, and 
 
2. No agent or guardian has been appointed, or 
 
3. The agent or guardian is not reasonably available. 
 
(c) In the case of a patient or resident who lacks capacity, the patient ’s or resident ’s 
surrogate shall be identified by the supervising health care provider and documented in 
the current clinical record of the facility at which the patient or resident is receiving 
health care. 
 
(d) The patient’s or resident ’s surrogate shall be an adult who has exhibited special care 
and concern for the patient or resident, who is familiar with the patient ’s or resident ’s 
personal values, who is reasonably available, and who is willing to serve. 
 
(e) Consideration may be, but need not be, given in order of descending preference for 
service as a surrogate to: 
 
1. The patient’s or resident’s spouse, unless legally separated; 
 
2. The patient’s or resident’s adult child; 
 
3. The patient’s or resident’s parent; 
 
4. The patient’s or resident’s adult sibling; 
 
5. Any other adult relative of the patient or resident; or 
 
6. Any other adult who satisfies the requirements of 0720-23-.13(16)(d). 
 
(f) No person who is the subject of a protective order or other court order that directs that 
person to avoid contact with the patient or resident shall be eligible to serve as the 
patient’s or resident’s surrogate. 
 
(g) The following criteria shall be considered in the determination of the person best 
qualified to serve as the surrogate: 
 
1. Whether the proposed surrogate reasonably appears to be better able to make 
decisions either in accordance with the known wishes of the patient or resident or 
in accordance with the patient’s or resident’s best interests; 
 
2. The proposed surrogate’s regular contact with the patient or resident prior to and 
during the incapacitating illness; 
 
3. The proposed surrogate’s demonstrated care and concern; 
 
4. The proposed surrogate’ s availability to visit the patient or resident during his or 
her illness; and 
 
5. The proposed surrogate’ s availability to engage in face- to-face contact with 
health care providers for the purpose of fully participating in the decision- making 
process. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.13, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 40 
 
(h) If the patient or resident lacks capacity and none of the individuals eligible to act as a 
surrogate under 0720-23-.13(16)(c) thr ough 0720-23-.13(16)(g) is reasonably 
available, the designated physician may make health care decisions for the patient or 
resident after the designated physician either: 
 
1. Consults with and obtains the recommendations of a facility ’s ethics mechanism 
or standing committee in the facility that evaluates health care issues; or 
 
2. Obtains concurrence from a second physician who is not directly involved in the 
patient’s or resident ’s health care, does not serve in a capacity of decision-
making, influence, or responsibility over the designated physician, and is not 
under the designated physician’s decision-making, influence, or responsibility. 
 
(i) In the event of a challenge, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the selection of 
the surrogate was valid. Any person who challenges the selection shall have the 
burden of proving the invalidity of that selection. 
 
(j) A surrogate shall make a health care decision in accordance with the patient ’s or 
resident’s individual instructions, if any, and other wishes to the extent known to the 
surrogate. Otherwise, the surrogate shall make the decision in accordance with the 
surrogate’s determination of the patient ’s or resident’s best interest. In determining the 
patient’s or resident ’s best interest, the surrogate shall consider the patient ’s or 
resident’s personal values to the extent known to the surrogate. 
 
(k) A surrogate who has not been designated by the patient or resident may make all 
health care decisions for the patient or resident that the patient or resident could make 
on the patient ’s or resident ’s own behalf, except that artificial nutrition and hydration 
may be withheld or withdrawn for a patient or resident upon a decision of the surrogate 
only when the designated physician and a second independent physician certify in the 
patient’s or resident ’s current clinical records that the provision or continuation of 
artificial nutrition or hydration is merely prolonging the act of dying and the patient or 
resident is highly unlikely to regain capacity to make medical decisions. 
 
(l) Except as provided in 0720-23-.13(16)(m): 
 
1. Neither the treating health care provider nor an employee of the treating health 
care provider, nor an operator of a health care institution nor an employee of an 
operator of a health care institution may be designated as a surrogate; and 
 
2. A health care provider or employee of a health care provider may not act as a 
surrogate if the health care provider becomes the patient ’s or resident ’s treating 
health care provider. 
 
(m) An employee of the treating health care provider or an employee of an operator of a 
health care institution may be designated as a surrogate if: 
 
1. The employee so designated is a relative of the patient or resident by blood, 
marriage, or adoption; and 
 
2. The other requirements of this section are satisfied. 
 
(n) A health care provider may require an individual claiming the right to act as surrogate 
for a patient or resident to provide written documentation stating facts and 
circumstances reasonably sufficient to establish the claimed authority. 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.13, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 41 
(17) Guardian. 
 
(a) A guardian shall comply with the patient ’s or resident ’s individual instructions and may 
not revoke the patient ’s or resident ’s advance directive absent a court order to the 
contrary. 
 
(b) Absent a court order to the contrary, a health care decision of an agent takes 
precedence over that of a guardian. 
 
(c) A health care provider may require an individual claiming the right to act as guardian 
for a patient or resident to provide written documentation stating facts and 
circumstances reasonably sufficient to establish the claimed authority. 
 
(18) A designated physician who makes or is informed of a determination that a patient or resident 
lacks or has recovered capacity, or that another condition exists which affects an individual 
instruction or the authority of an agent, guardian, or surrogate, shall promptly record the 
determination in the patient ’s or resident ’s current clinical record and communicate the 
determination to the patient or resident, if possible, and to any person then authorized to 
make health care decisions for the patient or resident. 
 
(19) Except as provided in 0720 -23-.13(20) thr ough 0720-23-.13(22), a health care provider or 
institution providing care to a patient or resident shall: 
 
(a) Comply with an individual instruction of the patient or resident and with a reasonable 
interpretation of that instruction made by a person then authorized to make health care 
decisions for the patient or resident; and 
 
(b) Comply with a health care decision for the patient or resident made by a person then 
authorized to make health care decisions for the patient or resident to the same extent 
as if the decision had been made by the patient or resident while having capacity. 
 
(20) A health care provider may decline to comply with an individual instruction or health care 
decision for reasons of conscience. 
 
(21) A health care institution may decline to comply with an individual instruction or health care 
decision if the instruction or decision is: 
 
(a) Contrary to a policy of the institution which is based on reasons of conscience, and 
 
(b) The policy was timely communicated to the patient or resident or to a person then 
authorized to make health care decisions for the patient or resident. 
 
(22) A health care provider or institution may decline to comply with an individual instruction or 
health care decision that requires medically inappropriate health care or health care contrary 
to generally accepted health care standards applicable to the health care provider or 
institution. 
 
(23) A health care provider or institution that declines to comply with an individual instruction or 
health care decision pursuant to 0720-23-.13(20) through 0720-23-.13(22) shall: 
 
(a) Promptly so inform the patient or resident, if possible, and any person then authorized 
to make health care decisions for the patient or resident; 
 
(b) Provide continuing care to the patient or resident until a transfer can be effected or until 
the determination has been made that transfer cannot be effected; 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.13, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 42 
(c) Unless the patient or resident or person then authorized to make health care decisions 
for the patient or resident refuses assistance, immediately make all reasonable efforts 
to assist in the transfer of the patient or resident to another health care provider or 
institution that is willing to comply with the instruction or decision; and 
 
(d) If a transfer cannot be effected, the health care provider or institution shall not be 
compelled to comply. 
 
(24) Unless otherwise specified in an advance directive, a person then authorized to make health 
care decisions for a patient or resident has the same rights as the patient or resident to 
request, receive, examine, copy, and consent to the disclosure of medical or any other health 
care information. 
 
(25) A health care provider or institution acting in good faith and in accordance with generally 
accepted health care standards applicable to the health care provider or institution is not 
subject to civil or criminal liability or to discipline for unprofessional conduct for: 
 
(a) Complying with a health care decision of a person apparently having authority to make 
a health care decision for a patient or resident, including a decision to withhold or 
withdraw health care; 
 
(b) Declining to comply with a health care decision of a person based on a belief that the 
person then lacked authority; or 
 
(c) Complying with an advance directive and assuming that the directive was valid when 
made and had not been revoked or terminated. 
 
(26) An individual acting as an agent or surrogate is not subject to civil or criminal liability or to 
discipline for unprofessional conduct for health care decisions made in good faith. 
 
(27) A person identifying a surrogate is not subject to civil or criminal liability or to discipline for 
unprofessional conduct for such identification made in good faith. 
 
(28) A copy of a written advance directive, revocation of an advance directive, or designation or 
disqualification of a surrogate has the same effect as the original. 
 
(29) The withholding or withdrawal of medical care from a patient or resident in accordance with 
the provisions of the Tennessee Health Care Decisions Act shall not, for any purpose, 
constitute a suicide, euthanasia, homicide, mercy killing, or assisted suicide. 
 
(30) Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST). 
 
(a) Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) may be issued by a physician for a 
patient with whom the physician has a bona fide physician- patient relationship, but 
only: 
 
1. With the informed consent of the patient; 
 
2. If the patient is a minor or is otherwise incapable of making an informed decision 
regarding consent for such an order, upon request of and with the consent of the 
agent, surrogate, or other person authorized to consent on the patient ’s behalf 
under the Tennessee Health Care Decisions Act; or 
 
3. If the patient is a minor or is otherwise incapable of making an informed decision 
regarding consent for such an order and the agent, surrogate, or other person 
authorized to consent on the patient ’s behalf under the Tennessee Health Care 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.13, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 43 
Decisions Act, is not reasonably available, if the physician determines that the 
provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation would be contrary to accepted 
medical standards. 
 
(b) A POST may be issued by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse 
specialist for a patient with whom such physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical 
nurse specialist has a bona fide physician assistant -patient or nurse- patient 
relationship, but only if: 
 
1. No physician, who has a bona fide physician- patient relationship with the patient, 
is present and available for discussion with the patient (or if the patient is a minor 
or is otherwise incapable of making an informed decision, with the agent, 
surrogate, or other person authorized to consent on the patient ’s behalf under 
the Tennessee Health Care Decisions Act); 
 
2. Such authority to issue is contained in the physician assistant ’s, nurse 
practitioner’s or clinical nurse specialist’s protocols; 
 
3. Either: 
 
(i) The patient is a resident of a nursing home licensed under Title 68 or an 
ICF/MR facility licensed under Title 33 and is in the process of being 
discharged from the nursing home or transferred to another facility at the 
time the POST is being issued; or 
 
(ii) The patient is a hospital patient and is in the process of being discharged 
from the hospital or transferred to another facility at the time the POST is 
being issued; and 
 
4. Either: 
 
(i) With the informed consent of the patient; 
 
(ii) If the patient is a minor or is otherwise incapable of making an informed 
decision regarding consent for such an order, upon request of and with the 
consent of the agent, surrogate, or other person authorized to consent on 
the patient’s behalf under the Tennessee Health Care Decisions Act; or 
 
(iii) If the patient is a minor or is otherwise incapable of making an informed 
decision regarding consent for such an order and the agent, surrogate, or 
other person authorized to consent on the patient ’s behalf under the 
Tennessee Health Care Decisions Act, is not reasonably available and 
such authority to issue is contained in the physician assistant, nurse 
practitioner or clinical nurse specialist ’s protocols and the physician 
assistant or nurse determines that the provision of cardiopulmonary 
resuscitation would be contrary to accepted medical standards. 
 
(c) If the patient is an adult who is capable of making an informed decision, the patient ’s 
expression of the desire to be resuscitated in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest 
shall revoke any contrary order in the POST. If the patient is a minor or is otherwise 
incapable of making an informed decision, the expression of the desire that the patient 
be resuscitated by the person authorized to consent on the patient ’s behalf shall revoke 
any contrary order in the POST. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation of a patient for whom the physician or physician 
assistant or nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist determines cardiopulmonary 
resuscitation is not medically appropriate. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.13, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 44 
 
(d) A POST issued in accordance with this section shall remain valid and in effect until 
revoked. In accordance with this rule and applicable regulations, qualified emergency 
medical services personnel; and licensed health care practitioners in any facility, 
program, or organization operated or licensed by the Board for Licensing Health Care 
Facilities, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, or the 
Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, or operated, licensed, or 
owned by another state agency, shall follow a POST that is available to such persons 
in a form approved by the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities. 
 
(e) Nothing in these rules shall authorize the withholding of other medical interventions, 
such as medications, positioning, wound care, oxygen, suction, treatment of airway 
obstruction or other therapies deemed necessary to provide comfort care or alleviate 
pain. 
 
(f) If a person has a do- not-resuscitate order in effect at the time of such person’ s 
discharge from a health care facility, the facility shall complete a POST prior to 
discharge. If a person with a POST is transferred from one health care facility to 
another health care facility, the health care facility initiating the transfer shall 
communicate the existence of the POST to qualified emergency medical service 
personnel and to the receiving facility prior to the transfer. The transferring facility shall 
provide a copy of the POST that accompanies the patient in transport to the receiving 
health care facility. Upon admission, the receiving facility shall make the POST a part 
of the patient’s record. 
 
(g) These rules shall not prevent, prohibit, or limit a physician from using a written order, 
other than a POST, not to resuscitate a patient in the event of cardiac or respiratory 
arrest in accordance with accepted medical practices. This action shall have no 
application to any do- not-resuscitate order that is not a POST, as defined in these 
rules. 
 
(h) Valid do- not-resuscitate orders or emergency medical services do- not-resuscitate 
orders issued before July 1, 2004, pursuant to then- current law, shall remain valid and 
shall be given effect as provided in these rules. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 68-11-202, 68-11-204, 68-11-206, 68-11-209, 68-11-224, and 68-
11-1801 through 68- 11-1815. Administrative History: Original rule filed August 18, 1995; effective 
November 1, 1995. Repeal and new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed 
April 28, 2003; effective July 12, 2003. Repeal and new rule filed November 22, 2005; effective February 
5, 2006. Amendment filed February 7, 2007; effective April 23, 2007. Amendments filed January 3, 2012; 
effective April 2, 2012. Amendment filed March 27, 2015; effective June 25, 2015 . Transferred from 
chapter 1200-08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. 
 
0720-23-.14 DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. 
 
(1) Emergency Electrical Power. 
 
(a) All residential hospices must have one or more on- site electrical generators, which are 
capable of providing emergency electrical power to at least all life sustaining equipment 
and life sustaining resources such as: ventilators; blood banks, biological refrigerators, 
safety switches for boilers, safety lighting for corridors and stairwells and other 
essential equipment. 
 
(b) Connections shall be through a switch which shall automatically transfer the circuits to 
the emergency power source in case of power failure. It is recognized that some 
equipment may not sustain automatic transfer and provisions will have to be made to 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.14, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 45 
manually change these items from a non- emergency powered outlet to an emergency 
powered outlet or other power source. All emergency power transfer switches shall be 
labeled as such. Switches affecting heat, ventilation, and all systems shall be labeled. 
 
(c) The emergency power system shall have a minimum of twenty four (24) hours of either 
propane, gasoline or diesel fuel. The quantity shall be based on its expected or known 
connected load consumption during power interruptions. In addition, the residential 
hospice shall have a written contract with an area fuel distributor which guarantees first 
priority service for re-fills during power interruptions. 
 
(d) The emergency power system (generator) shall be inspected weekly and exercised 
and under actual load and operating temperature conditions for at least thirty (30) 
minutes, once each month including automatic and manual transfer of equipment. The 
generator shall be exercised by trained facility staff who are familiar with the systems 
operation. Instructions for the operation of the systems and the manual transfer of 
emergency power shall be maintained with the facility’s disaster preparedness plan and 
shall be separately identified in the plan. Records shall be maintained for all weekly 
inspections and monthly tests and be kept on file for a minimum of three (3) years. 
 
(2) Physical Facility and Community Emergency Plans. 
 
(a) Physical Facility (Internal Situations). 
 
1. Every residential hospice shall have a current internal emergency plan, or plans, 
that provides for fires, bomb threats, severe weather, utility service failures, plus 
any local high risk situations such as floods, earthquakes, toxic fumes and 
chemical spills. The plan should consider the probability of the types of disasters 
which might occur, both natural and “man-made.” 
 
2. The plan(s) must include provisions for the relocation of persons within the 
building and/or either partial or full building evacuation. Plans that provide for the 
relocation of patients and/or residents to other health care facilities must have 
written agreements for emergency transfers. The agreements may be mutual, i.e. 
providing for transfers either way. 
 
3. Copies of the plan(s), either complete or outlines, including specific emergency 
telephone numbers related to that type of disaster, shall be available to all staff. 
A copy shall be readily available at all times in the telephone operator ’s position 
or at the security center. Provisions that have security implications may be 
omitted from the outline versions. 
 
4. The plan must provide for additional staffing, medical supplies, blood and other 
resources which would probably be needed. 
 
5. Each of the following disaster preparedness plan drills shall be conducted 
annually. Drills are for the purpose of educating staff, resource determination, 
testing personnel safety provisions and communications with other facilities and 
community agencies. Records of staff orientation, education programs and drills 
must be maintained for at least three (3) years. 
 
(i) Fire Safety Procedures Plan shall include: 
 
(I) Minor fires 
 
(II) Major fires 
 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.14, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 46 
(III) Fighting the fire 
 
(IV) Evacuation procedures 
 
(V) Staff functions by department and job assignment 
 
(VI) Fire drill schedules (fire drills shall be held at least quarterly on each 
work shift) 
 
(ii) External disaster procedures plan (for tornado, flood, earthquakes) shall 
include: 
 
(I) Staff duties by department and job assignment 
 
(II) Evacuation procedures 
 
(iii) Bomb Threat Procedures Plan: 
 
(I) Staff duties by department and job assignment 
 
(II) Search team, searching the premises 
 
6. The residential hospice shall develop and periodically review with all employees 
a pre-arranged plan for the orderly evacuation of all patients and/or residents in 
case of a fire, internal disaster or other emergency. The plan of evacuation shall 
be posted throughout the facility. Fire drills shall be held at least quarterly for 
each work shift for residential hospice personnel in each separate 
patient/resident-occupied residential hospice building. There shall be a written 
report documenting the evaluation of each drill and the action recommended or 
taken for any deficiencies found. Records which document and evaluate these 
drills must be maintained for at least three (3) years. 
 
(b) Emergency Planning with Local Government Authorities. 
 
1. All residential hospices shall establish and maintain communications with the 
county Emergency Management Agency. This includes the provision of the 
information and procedures that are needed for the local comprehensive 
emergency plan. The residential hospices shall cooperate, to the extent possible, 
in area disaster drills and local emergency situations. 
 
2. Each residential hospice shall conduct both the physical facility and community 
emergency drills as required in these regulations, even if the local Emergency 
Management Agency is unable to participate. 
 
3. A file of documents demonstrating communications and cooperation with the 
local agency must be maintained. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-11-202, 68-11-204, 68-11-206, and 68-11-209. Administrative History: Original 
rule filed August 18, 1995; effective November 1, 1995. Amendment filed February 9, 1998; effective April 
25, 1998. Repeal and new rule filed April 27, 2000; effective July 11, 2000. Amendment filed November 
22, 2005; effective February 5, 2006. Transferred from chapter 1200- 08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 
1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. Amendments filed December 18, 2025; effective March 18, 2026. 
 
0720-23-.15 APPENDIX I 
 
(1) Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) Form. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.15, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 47 

A COPY OF THIS FORM SHALL ACCOMPANY PATIENT WHEN TRANSFERRED OR DISCHARGED 
 
Tennessee Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment 
(POST, sometimes called “POLST”) 
 
This is a Physician Order Sheet based on the medical conditions and 
wishes of the person identified at right ( “patient”). Any section not 
completed indicates full treatment for that section. When need occurs, first 
follow these orders, then contact physician. 
Patient’s Last Name 
First Name/Middle Initial 
Date of Birth 
Section 
A 
Check One 
Box Only 
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR): Patient has no pulse and is not breathing. 
 Resuscitate(CPR)  Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNR / no CPR) (Allow Natural Death) 
When not in cardiopulmonary arrest, follow orders in B, C, and D. 
Section 
B 

Check One 
Box Only 
MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS. Patient has pulse and/or is breathing. 
 
 Comfort Measures Only. Relieve pain and suffering through the use of any medication by any route, positioning, 
wound care and other measures. Use oxygen, suction and manual treatment of airway obstruction as needed for 
comfort. Do not transfer to hospital for life-sustaining treatment. Transfer only if comfort needs cannot be 
met in current location. Treatment Plan: Maximize comfort through symptom management. 
 
 Limited Additional Interventions. In addition to care described in Comfort Measures Only above, use medical 
treatment, antibiotics, IV fluids and cardiac monitoring as indicated. No intubation, advanced airway interventions, or 
mechanical ventilation. May consider less invasive airway support (e.g. CPAP, BiPAP). Transfer to hospital if 
indicated. Generally avoid the intensive care unit. Treatment Plan: Basic medical treatments. 
 
 Full Treatment. In addition to care described in Comfort Measures Only and Limited Additional Interventions above, 
use intubation, advanced airway interventions, and mechanical ventilation as indicated. Transfer to hospital and/or 
intensive care unit if indicated. Treatment Plan: Full treatment including in the intensive care unit. 
 
Other Instructions: 
 
Section 
C 
Check One 
ARTIFICIALLY ADMINISTERED NUTRITION. Oral fluids & nutrition must be offered if feasible. 
 No artificial nutrition by tube. 
 Defined trial period of artificial nutrition by tube. 
 Long-term artificial nutrition by tube. 
 
 Other Instructions: 
 
Section 
D 

 Must be 
Completed 
Discussed with: 
 Patient/Resident 
 Health care agent 
 Court-appointed guardian 
 Health care surrogate 
 Parent of minor 
 Other: (Specify) 
 
The Basis for These Orders Is: (Must be completed) 
 Patient’s preferences 
 Patient’s best interest (patient lacks capacity or preferences unknown) 
 Medical indications 
 (Other) 
Physician/NP/CNS/PA Name (Print) Physician/NP/CNS/PA Signature Date 

NP/CNS/PA (Signature at Discharge) 
MD/NP/CNS/PA Phone Number: 
 Signature of Patient, Parent of Minor, or Guardian/Health Care Representative 
Preferences have been expressed to a physician and/or health care professional. It can be reviewed and updated at any time if 
your preferences change. If you are unable to make your own health care decisions, the orders should reflect your 
preferences as best understood by your surrogate. 
Name (print) Signature Relationship (write “self” if patient) 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.15, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 48 
Agent/Surrogate Relationship Phone Number 
Health Care Professional Preparing Form Preparer Title Phone Number Date Prepared 
 
HIPAA PERMITS DISCLOSURE OF POST TO OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AS NECESSARY 
 
Directions for Health Care Professionals 

Completing POST 
 
Must be completed by a health care professional based on patient preferences, patient best interest, and medical 
indications. 
 
To be valid, POST must be signed by a physician or, at discharge or transfer from a hospital or long term care facility, by a 
nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or physician assistant (PA). Verbal orders are acceptable with 
follow-up signature by physician in accordance with facility/community policy. 
 
Persons with DNR in effect at time of discharge must have POST completed by health care facility prior to discharge and 
copy of POST provided to qualified medical emergency personnel. 
 
Photocopies/faxes of signed POST forms are legal and valid. 

Using POST 
 
Any incomplete section of POST implies full treatment for that section. 
 
No defibrillator (including AEDs) should be used on a person who has chosen “Do Not Attempt Resuscitation.” 
 
Oral fluids and nutrition must always be offered if medically feasible. 
 
When comfort cannot be achieved in the current setting, the person, including someone with “ Comfort Measures Only,” 
should be transferred to a setting able to provide comfort (e.g., treatment of a hip fracture). 
 
IV medication to enhance comfort may be appropriate for a person who has chosen “Comfort Measures Only.” 
 
Treatment of dehydration is a measure which prolongs life. A person who desires IV fluids should indicate “ Limited 
Interventions” or “Full Treatment.” 
 
A person with capacity, or the Health Care Agent or Surrogate of a person without capacity, can request alternative 
treatment. 

Reviewing POST 
 
This POST should be reviewed if: 
 
(1) The patient is transferred from one care setting or care level to another, or 
(2) There is a substantial change in the patient’s health status, or 
(3) The patient’s treatment preferences change. 
 
Draw line through sections A through D and write “VOID” in large letters if POST is replaced or becomes invalid. 
COPY OF FORM SHALL ACCOMPANY PATIENT WHEN TRANSFERRED OR DISCHARGED. 

STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.15, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 49 
(2) Advance Directive for Health Care Form. 
 
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FOR HEALTH CARE* 
(Tennessee) 
 
I, ____________________________________, hereby give these advance instructions on how I want to 
be treated by my doctors and other health care providers when I can no longer make those treatment 
decisions myself. 
 
Part I Agent: I want the following person to make health care decisions for me. This includes any health care 
decision I could have made for myself if able, except that my agent must follow my instructions below: 
 
Name: Relation: Home Phone: Work Phone: 
Address: Mobile Phone: Other Phone: 
 
Alternate Agent: If the person named above is unable or unwilling to make health care decisions for me, 
I appoint as alternate the following person to make health care decisions for me. This includes any health 
care decision I could have made for myself if able, except that my agent must follow my instructions 
below: 
 
Name: Relation: Home Phone: Work Phone: 
Address: Mobile Phone: Other Phone: 
 
My agent is also my personal representative for purposes of federal and state privacy laws, including 
HIPAA. 
 
When Effective (mark one):  I give my agent permission to make health care decisions for me at any 
time, even if I have capacity to make decisions for myself.  I do not give such permission (this form 
applies only when I no longer have capacity). 

Part 2 Indicate Your Wishes for Quality of Life : By marking “yes” below, I have indicated conditions I would 
be willing to live with if given adequate comfort care and pain management. By marking “ no” below, I 
have indicated conditions I would not be willing to live with (that to me would create an unacceptable 
quality of life). 
 
  
Yes No 
Permanent Unconscious Condition : I become totally unaware of people or surroundings with 
little chance of ever waking up from the coma. 
  
Yes No 
Permanent Confusion: I become unable to remember, understand, or make decisions. I do not 
recognize loved ones or cannot have a clear conversation with them. 
  
Yes No 
Dependent in All Activities of Daily Living: I am no longer able to talk or communicate clearly or 
move by myself. I depend on others for feeding, bathing, dressing, and walking. Rehabilitation or 
any other restorative treatment will not help. 
  
Yes No 
End-Stage Illnesses: I have an illness that has reached its final stages in spite of full treatment. 
Examples: Widespread cancer that no longer responds to treatment; chronic and/or damaged 
heart and lungs, where oxygen is needed most of the time and activities are limited due to the 
feeling of suffocation. 
 
Indicate Your Wishes for Treatment: If my quality of life becomes unacceptable to me (as indicated by 
one or more of the conditions marked “ no” above) and my condition is irreversible (that is, it will not 
improve), I direct that medically appropriate treatment be provided as follows. By marking “yes” below, I 
have indicated treatment I want. By marking “no” below, I have indicated treatment I do not want. 

Instructions: Parts 1 and 2 may be used together or 
independently. Please mark out/void any unused part(s). 
Part 5, Block A or Block B must be completed for all uses. 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.15, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 50 
  
Yes No 
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) : To make the heart beat again and restore breathing 
after it has stopped. Usually this involves electric shock, chest compressions, and breathing 
assistance. 
  
Yes No 
Life Support/Other Artificial Support : Continuous use of breathing machine, IV fluids, 
medications, and other equipment that helps the lungs, heart, kidneys, and other organs to 
continue to work. 
  
Yes No 
Treatment of New Conditions : Use of surgery, blood transfusions, or antibiotics that will deal 
with a new condition but will not help the main illness. 
  
Yes No 
Tube feeding/IV fluids: Use of tubes to deliver food and water to a patient ’s stomach or use of IV 
fluids into a vein, which would include artificially delivered nutrition and hydration. 
Part 3 Other instructions, such as hospice care, burial arrangements, etc.: 

(Attach additional pages if necessary) 
 
Part 4 Organ donation: Upon my death, I wish to make the following anatomical gift for purposes of 
transplantation, research, and/or education (mark one): 
 
 Any organ/tissue  My entire body  Only the following organs/tissues: 
 
 No organ/tissue donation 

SIGNATURE 
 
Part 5 Your signature must either be witnessed by two competent adults ( “Block A ”) or by a notary public 
(“Block B”). 
 
Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ____________________ 
 (Patient) 
 
Block A Neither witness may be the person you appointed as your agent or alternate, and at least one of 
the witnesses must be someone who is not related to you or entitled to any part of your estate. 
 
Witnesses: 
 
1. I am a competent adult who is not named as the 
agent or alternate. I witnessed the patient ’s signature on 
this form. 
 
Signature of witness number 1 
 
2. I am a competent adult who is not named as the 
agent or alternate. I am not related to the patient by blood, 
marriage, or adoption and I would not be entitled to any 
portion of the patient ’s estate upon his or her death under 
any existing will or codicil or by operation of law. I 
witnessed the patient’s signature on this form. 
 
Signature of witness number 2 
 
Block B You may choose to have your signature witnessed by a notary public instead of the witnesses 
described in Block A. 
 
STATE OF TENNESSEE 
STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 
 
(Rule 0720-23-.15, continued) 
March, 2026 (Revised) 51 
COUNTY OF 
 
I am a Notary Public in and for the State and County named above. The person who signed this 
instrument is personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the 
person who signed as the “ patient.” The patient personally appeared before me and signed above or 
acknowledged the signature above as his or her own. I declare under penalty of perjury that the patient 
appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence. 

My commission expires: 
 Signature of Notary Public 

WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ADVANCE DIRECTIVE : (1) provide a copy to your physician(s); (2) keep a 
copy in your personal files where it is accessible to others; (3) tell your closest relatives and friends what 
is in the document; and (4) provide a copy to the person(s) you named as your health care agent. 
 
* This form replaces the old forms for durable power of attorney for health care, living will, appointment of 
agent, and advance care plan, and eliminates the need for any of those documents. 
 
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4- 5-204, 68- 11-202, 68- 11-204, 68- 11-209, 68- 11-224, and 68- 11-1801 
through 68-11-1805. Administrative History: Original rule filed February 16, 2007; effective May 2, 
2007. Repeal and new rule filed August 28, 2012; effective November 26, 2012. Amendment filed March 
27, 2015; effective June 25, 2015. Amendments filed February 8, 2017; effective May 9, 2017. 
Transferred from chapter 1200-08-15 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022.