Conditions of Participation for Hospitals

Hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid must meet conditions of participation covering governing body, patient rights, quality assessment and performance improvement, medical staff, nursing services, medical record services, pharmaceutical services, food and dietetic services, infection control, discharge planning, organ procurement, and emergency services.

Hospitals must protect and promote each patient's rights, including the right to participate in care planning, receive information, refuse treatment, and have privacy. Compliance is verified through surveys conducted by state agencies or accrediting organizations.