The Florida Senate

400.610  Administration and management of a hospice.--

(1)  A hospice shall have a clearly defined organized governing body, consisting of a minimum of seven persons who are representative of the general population of the community served. The governing body shall have autonomous authority and responsibility for the operation of the hospice and shall meet at least quarterly. The governing body shall:

(a)  Adopt an annual plan for the operation of the hospice, which shall include a plan for providing for uncompensated care and philanthropic community activities.

(b)1.  Prepare and maintain a comprehensive emergency management plan that provides for continuing hospice services in the event of an emergency that is consistent with local special needs plans. The plan shall include provisions for ensuring continuing care to hospice patients who go to special needs shelters. The plan is subject to review and approval by the county health department, except as provided in subparagraph 2. During its review, the county health department shall ensure that the department, the agency, and the local chapter of the American Red Cross or other lead sheltering agency have an opportunity to review and comment on the plan. The county health department shall complete its review within 60 days after receipt of the plan and shall either approve the plan or advise the hospice of necessary revisions.

2.  For any hospice that operates in more than one county, the Department of Health shall review the plan, after consulting with all of the county health departments, the agency, and all the local chapters of the American Red Cross or other lead sheltering agency in the areas of operation for that particular hospice. The Department of Health shall complete its review within 90 days after receipt of the plan and shall either approve the plan or advise the hospice of necessary revisions. The Department of Health shall make every effort to avoid imposing on the hospice differing requirements based on differences between counties.

(c)  Adopt an annual budget.

(d)  Appoint a director who shall be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the hospice and who shall serve as the liaison between the governing body and the hospice staff.

(e)  Undertake such additional activities as necessary to ensure that the hospice is complying with the requirements for hospice services as set forth in this part.

(2)  Each hospice shall develop and implement a comprehensive quality assurance and utilization review plan to be used for ongoing internal evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of the hospice services provided. Each hospice shall take the corrective actions identified by the review and report a summary of these actions to the governing body at least annually.

(3)  Each hospice shall ensure that adequate policies, procedures, and systems are developed and implemented to provide effective delivery of services.

History.--s. 10, ch. 79-186; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 74, 79, 83, ch. 83-181; ss. 10, 14, ch. 93-179; s. 17, ch. 2000-140.