<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 10.07.03.08" title_num="10" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="03" heading="Administration.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The agency shall develop, document, and implement policies and procedures.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Policies and procedures shall include, but are not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Selecting and verifying the credentials of a health care practitioner referred by the agency;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Validating the experience of a health care practitioner prior to referral by the agency;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Tracking and acting on serious or life-threatening complaints received by a client, facility, or the client facility's agent;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Reporting of an action or condition performed by a health care practitioner as required under Regulation .09C of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Verifying the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A health care practitioner referred by the agency is of satisfactory health status and has received the necessary testing and immunization as required or requested by the client facility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Drug screening of a health care practitioner is performed before referral by the agency, if the client facility requires drug screening for facility employees;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Drug testing of a health care practitioner referred by the agency is performed, if there is probable cause to perform a drug test or if a client facility requests a drug test;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Criminal background checks of a health care practitioner are performed before referral by the agency, if the client facility requires criminal background checks for facility employees;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The references of a health care practitioner referred by the agency;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>A health care practitioner referred by the agency has I-9 status that permits them to legally work in the United States; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>A health care practitioner has active licensure or certification with the Board; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Investigating a complaint or grievance presented to an agency by the client facility, an individual receiving services, a representative of the individual receiving services, or any concerned individual that includes a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Description of how and to whom to file a complaint within the agency;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Description of how and to whom to file a complaint with the Office;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Commitment to conduct a thorough investigation into any allegation against individuals referred by the agency; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Mechanism for making completed investigation reports available to the Department immediately upon request during inspections.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>