RELATES TO: KRS 205.639(3), 211.842-211.852, 216.378, 216.379, 216.380, 216B.015(6), 216B.040(1)(c), (2)(b), 216B.105, 216B.153, 216B.165, 216B.990, Chapter 311, 315.035, 333.030, 42 C.F.R. 485.601-42 C.F.R. 485.647, 45 C.F.R. Part 160, Part 164, 42 U.S.C. 1320d-2-1320 d-8, 42 U.S.C. 1395i-4(c)(2)
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 216.380(14) requires the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to implement a program for the licensure of critical access hospitals. KRS 216B.042(1)(a) and (c) require the cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations necessary for the proper administration of the licensure function and to establish licensure standards and procedures to ensure safe, adequate, and efficient health facilities and health services. This administrative regulation establishes quality of care and licensure standards for critical access hospitals.
Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Cabinet" is defined by KRS 216B.015(6).(2) "Licensee" means the entity that has been issued and holds a valid critical access hospital license from the cabinet.Section 2. Requirements for Critical Access Status.(1) An applicant for initial licensure of a critical access hospital shall provide documentation to the cabinet verifying that the hospital: (a) Complies with the requirements of KRS 216.380 and this administrative regulation; and(b) Qualifies for state designation under 42 U.S.C. 1395i-4(c)(2).(2) In accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1395i-4(c)(2)(B), a critical access hospital that was certified by the secretary of the cabinet as a necessary provider of services prior to January 1, 2006, may be relicensed as a critical access hospital if the requirements of this administrative regulation are met.(3)(a) If an application for initial licensure of a critical access hospital is denied by the cabinet, the applicant shall be entitled to an administrative hearing pursuant to KRS 216B.040(1)(c) and (2)(b), and KRS 216B.105.(b) Licensure hearings shall follow the procedures established by 900 KAR 6:040.Section 3. Administration and Operation. (1) The licensee shall be legally responsible for the operation of the critical access hospital and for compliance with federal, state, and local laws and administrative regulations pertaining to the operation of the critical access hospital.(2) A critical access hospital shall be under the medical direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in Kentucky.(3) The licensee shall: (a) Establish written policies and lines of authority; and(b) Designate an administrator as the person principally responsible for the daily operation of the critical access hospital.(4) The licensee shall develop patient care policies with the advice of a group of healthcare professionals identified by the licensee.(a) Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. 485.635(a)(2), the advisory group shall include: 1. At least one (1) Kentucky-licensed doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine; and2. One (1) or more physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists.(b) The patient care policies shall include:1. A description of services that the critical access hospital furnishes, including services provided through a contractual agreement;2. A written program narrative describing in detail the:b. Methods and protocols for service delivery;c. Qualifications of personnel involved in the delivery of services; andd. Outcomes expected to be attained through the delivery of specified services;3. Guidelines for the medical management of health problems, including:a. Criteria for determining if a case requires medical consultation;b. Patient referral procedures; andc. Maintenance of health records;4. Procedures for the proper storage, handling, and administration of drugs and biologicals;5. Procedures establishing annual review and evaluation of services provided;6. Procedures that assure compliance with KRS 216B.165; and7. A surgical smoke safety and control policy that shall be available to staff if the hospital offers any surgical procedure that is likely to produce surgical smoke.(5) A critical access hospital shall establish written policies regarding patient rights and responsibilities to assure that each patient is:(a) Informed of: 2. Rules and regulations governing patient conduct and responsibilities; and3. The procedure for handling a patient grievance;(b) Informed of services available and related charges, including charges not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payor;(c) Informed of the patient's: 1. Medical condition, unless medically contraindicated as documented in the patient's medical record;2. Right to participate in planning his or her medical treatment; and3. Right to refuse to participate in experimental research;(d) Assisted in understanding his or her patient rights;(e) Provided confidential treatment of his or her records in accordance with subsection (9) of this section;(f) Treated with consideration, respect, and recognition of the patient's dignity and individuality, including privacy in treatment and care of personal health needs; and(g) Informed of the procedure for filing a grievance or a recommendation to change a policy or service. The policy shall establish a time frame within which critical access hospital personnel shall determine what corrective action to take.(6) Personnel. (a) Staffing shall be maintained in accordance with KRS 216.380(9).(b) A physician shall: 1. Be responsible for all medical aspects of the critical access hospital;2. Provide direct medical services in accordance with KRS Chapter 311;3. Be present to provide medical direction, supervision, and consultation to staff at least once in every two (2) week period, unless no patient has been treated since the last visit;4. Participate with other medical personnel in developing, executing, and periodically reviewing written policies and services;5. Review and sign patient records during the site visit; and6. Provide medical orders and medical care services to patients in accordance with the critical access hospital's protocols.(c) A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse shall be on duty if a patient has been admitted for overnight stay.(7) The critical access hospital shall have transfer and linkage contracts in accordance with KRS 216.380(11) and (12).(8) Medical records. (a) A critical access hospital shall maintain a complete, comprehensive, accurate, and legible medical record for each patient. The record shall include the following information: 1. The names of the patient's immediate family members;2. Medical and social history, including information obtainable from other providers;3. Description of each medical visit or contact, including:a. Condition or reason necessitating visit or contact;e. Medications and treatments prescribed; and4. Reports of laboratory, x-ray, and other test findings; and5. Documentation of referrals, including: a. Reason for the referral;b. To whom patient was referred; andc. Information obtained from the referral source.(b) Confidentiality of individual patient records shall be maintained in accordance with subsection (9)(b) of this section.(c) Transfer of records. The critical access hospital shall:1. Establish systematic procedures to assist with continuity of care if a patient transfers to another licensed level of care; and2. Upon proper release, transfer medical records or an abstract upon request.(d) Retention of records. Medical records shall be retained for at least:1. Six (6) years from the date of discharge; or2. If the patient is a minor, three (3) years after the patient reaches the age of majority under state law, whichever is the longest.(9)(a) Ownership. 1. Medical records shall be the property of the critical access hospital.2. The original medical record shall not be removed from the critical access hospital except by court order or subpoena.3. Copies of a medical record or portions of the record may be used and disclosed. Use and disclosure shall be as established by paragraph (b) of this subsection.(b) Confidentiality and Security: Use and Disclosure.1. The critical access hospital shall maintain the confidentiality and security of medical records in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), 42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 to 1320d-8, and 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164, as amended, including the security requirements mandated by subparts A and C of 45 C.F.R. Part 164 , or as provided by applicable federal or state law.2. The critical access hospital may use and disclose medical records. Use and disclosure shall be as established or required by HIPAA, 42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 to 1320d-8, and 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164, or as established in this administrative regulation.3. A critical access hospital may establish higher levels of confidentiality and security than required by HIPAA, 42 U.S.C. 1320d-2 to 1320d-8, and 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164.(10) Utilization review and medical audit. In order to determine the appropriateness of services delivered, there shall be a written plan for utilization review that specifies the frequency of reviews and composition of the body conducting the review.(11) Quality assessment and performance improvement program.(a) Pursuant to KRS 216.380(10), a critical access hospital shall have a program to ensure continuous and effective mechanisms for:1. Review and evaluation of patient care; and(b) The quality assessment and performance improvement program shall: 1. Be approved by the licensee;2. Establish responsibility for the monitoring and evaluation of services;3. Delineate the scope of care;4. Identify specific aspects of care to be provided;5. Establish and document clinical criteria used to monitor care and services;6. Systematically evaluate the standard of care to identify problems and recommend corrective action or alternatives to improve the standard of care;7. Establish criteria to assess the effectiveness of corrective action taken to improve care; and8. Require documentation of improvements in the standard of care subsequent to corrective action taken.(12) Contract[ services. The critical access hospital shall assure that a service provided under contract is properly licensed or certified in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and statutes.Section 4. Provision of Services.(1) A critical access hospital shall provide services in accordance with KRS 216.380(5).(2) Laboratory services. (a) A critical access hospital shall provide basic laboratory services essential to the immediate diagnosis and treatment of each patient.(b) If the critical access hospital provides laboratory services directly, the hospital shall comply with 902 KAR 20:016, Section 4(4).(c) If the critical access hospital contracts for laboratory services, the laboratory shall be licensed pursuant to KRS 333.030.(d) The following services shall be provided: 1. Chemical examination of urine, including ketone measurement, by stick or tablet method, or both;2. Microscopic examination of urine sediment;3. Hemoglobin or hematocrit;5. Examination of stool specimens for occult blood;7. Primary culturing for transmittal to a hospital laboratory or licensed laboratory.(3) Emergency services. (a) A critical access hospital shall: 1. Provide medical emergency procedures as a first response to common lifethreatening injuries and acute illness;2. Have available drugs and biologicals commonly used in life-saving procedures, such as analgesics, local anesthetics, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antidotes and emetics, serums and toxoids; and3. Provide examination services in accordance with 902 KAR 20:012.(b) There shall be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant with training or experience in emergency care:1. On-call and immediately available by telephone or radio contact; and2. Available on site within thirty (30) minutes on a twenty-four (24) hour per-day basis.(c) A registered nurse shall be on duty at the hospital to provide immediate emergency care on a twenty-four (24) hour per day basis.(4) Pharmacy services. (a) In accordance with KRS 216.380(5)(b), a critical access hospital shall provide basic pharmacy services essential to the treatment of the patient.(b) If the critical access hospital provides pharmacy services directly, the hospital shall comply with 902 KAR 20:016, Section 4(5).(c) If the critical access hospital contracts for pharmacy services, the pharmacy shall have a permit to operate in accordance with KRS 315.035.(5) Radiology services. (a) In accordance with KRS 216.380(5)(b), a critical access hospital shall provide basic radiology services essential to the immediate diagnosis and treatment of the patient.(b) If the critical access hospital provides radiology services directly, the hospital shall comply with 902 KAR 20:016, Section 4(6).(c) If the critical access hospital contracts for radiology services, the radiology facility shall be currently licensed or registered pursuant to KRS 211.842 to 211.852.(6) Dietary services. Pursuant to KRS 216.380(5)(b), the critical access hospital shall provide dietary services directly or by contract in accordance with 902 KAR 20:016, Section 4(3) to each patient who is admitted to the hospital and remains for more than twelve (12) hours.(7) Psychiatric units. A critical access hospital that provides inpatient psychiatric services in a distinct part unit in accordance with KRS 216.380(7)(a) shall comply with 902 KAR 20:180.(8) Rehabilitation units. A critical access hospital that provides inpatient rehabilitation services in a distinct part unit in accordance with KRS 216.380(7)(b) shall comply with the requirements of 902 KAR 20:240.(9) Surgical services. (a) If a critical access hospital provides surgical services, the hospital shall comply with 42 C.F.R. 485.639.(b)1. In accordance with KRS 216B.153, a critical access hospital that utilizes an energy-generating device shall make use of a smoke evacuation system:a. That effectively captures and neutralizes surgical smoke at the site of origin and before the smoke can make ocular contact or contact with the respiratory tract of the occupants of the room; and b. During any surgical procedure that is likely to produce surgical smoke.2. The cabinet shall impose fines in accordance with KRS 216B.990(8) for each violation of noncompliance with KRS 216B.153 only if the violation has not been remedied after the hospital has had an opportunity to correct the violation through the filing of a plan of correction in accordance with 902 KAR 20:008, Section 2(13).Section 5. Physical and Sanitary Environment. A critical access hospital shall maintain the condition of the physical plant and hospital's overall environment in accordance with 902 KAR 20:016, Section 3(10).Section 6. Facility Requirements. A critical access hospital shall comply with the applicable structural specifications and physical plant requirements established by 902 KAR 20:009 for services offered.18 Ky.R. 3562; 19 Ky.R. 424; eff. 8-28-1992; 25 Ky.R. 2979; 26 Ky.R. 398; eff. 8-16-1999; 27 Ky.R. 1624; 2173; eff. 2-1-2001; 32 Ky.R. 2380; 33 Ky.R. 418; eff. 7-24-2006; Crt eff. 1-11-2019; 48 Ky.R. 2302, 3010; eff. 8/25/2022.STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 216.380(14), 216B.042(1)(a), (c)