Effective October 25, 2013, CMS deleted citations for tag F-454 under 42 C.F.R. §483.70(a) pertaining to Physical Environment—Life Safety From Fire. CMS noted, because these requirements are covered under the Life Safety Code (“LSC”), there was a duplication of findings and, therefore, only needed to be cited under the appropriate LSC K Tag requirements. This change will benefit providers in that survey deficiencies will be more accurately and more appropriately cited for alleged LSC violations.
This change will not compromise the safety of a facility’s residents. If a state agency does not conduct its own LSC surveys, it must develop and implement policies and procedures to receive notification from the survey contractor that a provider facility is or is not in compliance. Importantly, if a health survey team observes potential fire hazards, it must report these possible deficiencies to the LSC state surveyors or designated authority for follow-up.
Should you have any questions, please contact:
- Todd Selby at 317.977.1440 or tselby@wp.hallrender.com;
- Brian Jent at 317.977.1402 or bjent@wp.hallrender.com;
- David Bufford at 502.568.9368 or dbufford@wp.hallrender.com; or
- Your regular Hall Render attorney.
