Administrative Rule Review Report  #AR08-057

Legislative Service Office

11-Jul-08

AGENCY: Department of Health.

DATE SUBMITTED: July 9, 2008.

SUBJECT: Chapter 4, Wyoming Hospital Improvement Grants.

NATURE OF RULES:                     Legislative and procedural.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:         W.S. 9-2-106(a)(vii) and 2006 Laws, Ch. 119.

DETERMINATION OF PROCEDURAL COMPLIANCE BASED UPON INFORMATION

SUBMITTED BY THE AGENCY TO LSO:  Apparently complete to date.  Notice of the proposed adoption of new rules was provided by the LSO as required by W.S. 28-9-103(d). No comments have been received to date.

SUMMARY OF RULES:           2006 Wyoming Laws, Chapter 119 (SF0051/SEA0053), created a hospital improvement grant program within the Department of Health.  The act appropriated $250,000 for grants to each of three hospitals in the state, to be used for quality improvements necessary to achieve Magnet Hospital certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  The act further appropriated $850,000 for grants and technical assistance to small hospitals for the promotion of quality nursing practices, nurse retention and improved patient outcomes.  These rules implement the grant program by:

· Adopting applicable definitions, including "eligible recipient," "Magnet Recognition Criteria" and "Designation" by the American Nurses Credentialing Center;

· Defining award criteria and priorities for the Magnet Hospital and small hospital grant programs

· Prescribing application procedures.

FINDINGS:     The rules appear to be within the scope of statutory authority and legislative intent.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:         That the rules be placed on the Consent List and be approved by the Council as submitted by the Agency.

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Gerald W. Laska

Staff Attorney

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Dan J. Pauli

Director

GWL/