DOH Updates Equivalency List for ACFs

DOH has updated the list of equivalencies for Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) to allow for three additional items:

• Facilities lacking sprinklers in resident bathrooms and clothes closets.  LeadingAge New York has been working hard to find some safe alternatives to the challenges that members have faced in meeting the sprinkler system requirements in the enhanced and special needs assisted living residence regulations.  We are pleased that some flexibility is being allowed.
• Oxygen refill system. Previously, the only oxygen refill system that allowed residents to fill their oxygen cylinders from an oxygen concentrator was the Invacare HomeFill II Oxygen System. DOH has expanded its approval to any oxygen refill system as long as the system meets all the conditions of the existing equivalency.
• Annual provision of influenza and pneumococcal immunizations to residents and employees of adult care facilities. Providers indicated trouble accessing the website address provided in the equivalency. The website has been updated.

Click here to view the DAL regarding these changes, and here for the updated equivalency list.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828