The Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing of the Senior Services Branch of the Department of Health and Senior Services (Department) is proposing an amendment, a repeal, and new rules to establish the new universal transfer form, and to require all licensed health care facilities and programs to use the form in transferring patients and residents from one facility or program to another.  The notice of proposal appears in the July 19, 2010, issue of the New Jersey Register.

Existing N.J.A.C. 8:43 establishes the chapter known as General Licensure Procedures and Standards Applicable to All Licensed Facilities.  The Department proposes to add a new subchapter at N.J.A.C. 8:43E-13 called Universal Transfer Form.  This subchapter would establish the standards and procedures for use of the universal transfer form, and would establish the form at new N.J.A.C. 8:43-13 Appendix A.

Existing N.J.A.C. 8:39-5.3, Transfers, in the chapter known as Standards for Licensure of Long-Term Care Facilities, requires use of a different transfer form customized for use by long-term care facilities that appears as N.J.A.C. 39 Appendix A.  The Department proposes to delete this requirement from existing N.J.A.C. 8:39-5.3 and to repeal the form at N.J.A.C. 39 Appendix A, to prevent conflict with the standards for use of the new universal transfer form.

The Department developed the universal transfer form through extensive consultations with representatives of the different types of health care facilities subject to N.J.A.C. 8:43 and representatives of other interested constituencies.

The public has until September 7, 2010, to comment on the proposal.  Persons wishing to comment on the proposal must submit their comments in writing by regular mail to Ruth Charbonneau, Director, Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Commissioner, NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, P O Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360.  Written comments must be postmarked on or before September 7, 2010, which is the close of the 60-day public comment period.  The Department will not accept telefacsimiles or electronic mail messages as official comments on the notice of proposal.

# # #