Nursing Agency Regulations

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

• Meaning: Ensures safe and healthy working conditions for workers.
• Role in Nursing: Protects nurses by enforcing standards to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
• Examples:
  • Protocols for handling hazardous materials.
  • Needlestick prevention.

DHHA (Department of Health and Human Services)

• Meaning: Oversees public health, welfare, and safety at the federal level.
• Impacts Nursing:
  • Funding health programs.
  • Enforcing regulations.
  • Providing grants for health-related research and services.

DHSR (Division of Health Service Regulation)

• Meaning: Regulates health care facilities and services at the state level.
• Impacts Nursing:
  • Ensuring compliance with state health regulations.
  • Impacting standards for patient care.
  • Facility licensing.

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

• Meaning: Administers Medicare, Medicaid, and other health programs.
• Impacts Nursing:
  • Setting reimbursement standards.
  • Defining quality measures.
  • Establishing conditions of participation for health care facilities.