Healthcare regulations may seem like a burden to the management of a facility, but regulations are meant to protect both staff of the healthcare facility and the public. These regulations are managed on three levels: federal, state and local. They are primarily concerned with infection control through cleanliness and safety standards. Facilities should be aware of specific state, local, and federal regulations and stay up-to-date with any changes. Here is a big-picture overview of regulatory requirements.

The creation of health codes and regulations is a responsibility of the federal, state, and municipal governments. Federal regulations are often far more general than state or municipal codes, but most codes of health take their lead from national (federal) standards developed by the United States Department of Health.

Health agencies and departments at all three levels are responsible for monitoring the implementation and adherence of these regulations by health care facilities. This is done in a variety of ways. For example, many health care facilities are funded through grants from the federal and state government. In order to qualify for and keep these grants, facilities must meet certain requirements. State and local health departments also conduct random inspections of health care facilities to monitor their adherence to regulations.

Because health care regulations are monitored at multiple levels of government and are subject to change at any time, it is important to have a current and precise understanding of which codes apply to your facility. Professional facility management and commercial pest management can greatly ease the stress of this critical task.