Edition 3: January 2024

Have you recently hired new staff?

These requirements must be completed prior to resident contact:

1. In-service training (504.A)  
2. Health assessment (505.A) 
3. Tuberculin skin test (1702.D.2.a) 

Additional new staff requirements:

1. Criminal background completed before being employed. (501.A) 
2. Orientation within 24 hours of their first day on the job. (504.B) 
3. Fire response training within 24 hours of their first day on the job in the facility (504.A.11)
4. Emergency procedures/disaster preparedness within 24 hours of their first day on the job in the facility (504.A.12)

Important Reminder: South Carolina considers Past Noncompliance at the Harm and Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) levels.

Past Noncompliance means a deficiency citation at a specific survey data tag (F-tag or K-tag), that meets all of the following three criteria:

1. The facility was not in compliance with the specific regulatory requirement(s) (as referenced by the specific -tag) at the time the situation occurred; 
2. The noncompliance occurred after the exit date of the last standard (recertification) survey and before the survey (standard, complaint, or revisit) currently being conducted, and
3. There is sufficient evidence that the facility corrected the noncompliance and is in substantial compliance at the time of the current survey for the specific regulatory requirement(s), as referenced by the specific tag.

Please note that a facility cannot be IN compliance and OUT of compliance at the same time.

Did you know?

Even if you don’t have to report it to the Department, you must keep a record of each accident and incident occurring in the facility and on the facility grounds. 

The facility must also retain a record of each accident and incident that has occurred in the facility or on the facility grounds for six (6) years after the resident stops receiving services. 

Guess what?

The Administrator or his or her designee shall report abuse and suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents to the South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in accordance with S.C. Code Section 43-35-25. 

Regulations and SC Fire Codes require wastebaskets to be non-combustible, this includes wastebaskets with lids. These wastebaskets are able to contain burning contents without the wastebasket contributing fuel to the container's contents.

Compliant wastebasket will have a UL, FM or other listing label usually on the bottom of the container. An internet search will provide a list of suppliers if you do not have the correct container.

If you have difficulty locating or are not certain your containers are compliant contact the Division of Fire & Life Safety for guidance.

Healthcare Quality

S.C. Dept. of Health & Environmental Control

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