com·pli·ance

1. The act or process of doing what you have been asked or ordered to do:  the act or process of complying to a desire, demand, proposal or regimen or to coercion

2. Conformity in fulfilling official requirements

Being asked to comply with something shouldn’t be a new concept to any of us!   We’ve all been asked to comply with rules since we were mere babes. “NO” is the first command that we learn – and the first request for compliance that we hear. Growing up and reaching adulthood is fraught with the daily challenges of learning the rules of home, school and society.

Beginnings of Compliance

Written guidelines for compliance with societal rules can be traced back thousands of years to the Code of Hammurabi. Containing 282 written laws, this is one of the earliest complete set of legal codes known to man. Hammurabi reigned from 1792-1750 BC and formulated this Babylonian code of law for ancient Mesopotamia to deal with issues of the day such as wages, social status, property damage and vendor liability. Surprisingly, family issues such as divorce, inheritance and sexual behavior were also addressed. 3700 years ago – life was not so different!

Modern Day Compliance

If you visit the website for the US Federal Register, you will see that there are currently 440 agencies listed in its Agency List. Census, Defense, Farm Services, Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, Labor, National Endowment for the Arts, Parole Commission, Tennessee Valley Authority and US Immigration. These are just a few of the 440 agencies that regulate how we live, eat, shop, invest, farm, work and even breathe. Each one of these departments is charged with the responsibility of overseeing, coordinating or monitoring processes and systems that fall under the scope of their oversight.

If you dig deeper into the list, you’ll frequently see statements like “this agency is responsible for”, or “this is an agency that will promote, advance, coordinate – or – enhance, preserve or advise.” They are charged by the US Federal Government with analyzing data, identifying performance and then recommending action.

Healthcare Industry Compliance

Those who fall under the jurisdiction of any of these agencies are charged with the responsibility of complying with the guidelines set forth by the agency - and/or dealing with the consequences of non-compliance. For those of us in the Healthcare industry, our prime mission is to care for our residents; to provide them with medication, treatment, nourishment and a safe and sanitary home. We are obliged to comply with a complex set of rules and guidelines – handed to us by dozens of different federal agencies, and are asked to interpret them flawlessly, while constantly adapting to the ever-changing regulatory environment.

Non-compliance as an individual in society places the individual at risk for both legal and social ramifications. (I had to comply with my employer’s request to write this blog on time!!)  Non-compliance to regulatory guidelines in the healthcare industry is not so different – you need only to watch the news or read the professional publications to see what jeopardy has befallen providers who don’t adhere to the mandates of the agencies who analyze, identify and recommend.

If you are a provider – or an employee in the Long Term Care Post-Acute field, please Contact Richter Healthcare Consultants and let us know how we can help you meet your compliance goals.