Medicare/Medicaid programs; fire safety standards for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospices, intermediate care facilities and ambulatory surgical centers--HCFA. Final rule.

This final rule amends the fire safety standards for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospices, intermediate care facilities and ambulatory surgical centers. It incorporates by reference the 1985 edition, rather than the 1981 edition now required, of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association. This change primarily affects new applicants to the program. The incorporation of the 1985 edition of the LSC is intended to ensure that patients, personnel, providers and the public have the benefit of the most current fire protection standards.