Schedule:
8:30-9:00 – Registration and Breakfast
9:00-9:30 – SICHE Business Meeting
9:30-11:00 – Educational Speaker – Leah Hummel – Health Care Conditions of Participation (1 CEC Credit)
11:00-4:00 – Lunch and Bocce Ball Tournament
Educational session description and learning objectives:
Health Care Conditions of Participation (90 Minutes) (1.5 CEC)
This session traces the historical development of the CMS Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and their impact on the physical environment of health care facilities. Beginning with the first requirements introduced in the 1960s, we’ll explore how regulatory standards have evolved over time. Participants will gain insight into the regulatory milestones that shaped today’s expectations for hospital infrastructure, including life safety codes, emergency preparedness, infection control, and the physical environment.
- Describe the origins and purpose of CMS Conditions of Participation
Understand the legislative and regulatory context that led to the establishment of CoPs and their focus on health and safety.
- Trace key historical changes in physical environment standards
Identify major updates to CoPs over time, including the incorporation of NFPA Life Safety Code, emergency preparedness rules, and infection control measures.
- Analyze the drivers behind regulatory evolution
Examine how public health crises, technological innovation, and patient advocacy have influenced changes in physical environment requirements.
- Anticipate future directions in facility compliance
Explore emerging trends—such as sustainability, resilience, and patient-centered design—and how they may shape future CoPs and facility standards.
Speaker:
Leah S. J. Hummel, AIA, CHFM, CHC, CHOP-B, SASHE is Senior Associate Director, ASHE Regulatory Affairs for the American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association.
Leah represents ASHE members through advocacy efforts including committee participation with several codes and standards affecting the healthcare physical environment, coordination with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accrediting organizations, and other authorities having jurisdiction. Leah also educates and writes on topics like the design and regulation of the healthcare environment, life safety, and emergency management in healthcare facilities.
Before joining ASHE, Leah worked for The Joint Commission, starting out as a Life Safety Code Surveyor and then as an Engineer with the Standards Interpretation Group. She was also employed as a plans reviewer/construction inspector with the North Dakota Department of Health Division of Life Safety and Construction and as a hospital facility architect responsible for planning, design, and construction projects. She started her career as a design architect working primarily on healthcare projects.
Leah has been awarded a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from North Dakota State University. She also attained a Health Administration Certificate from the University of North Dakota.
Leah is a licensed architect in North Dakota and Minnesota. She maintains certification as a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager and Certified Healthcare Constructor by ASHE. She is a Certified Healthcare Operations Professional with DNV. She has also been recognized as a Senior member of ASHE for her commitment in advancing the profession of healthcare engineering.
Leah serves as secretary of the NFPA Healthcare Section Codes and Standards committee. She is also a member of the NFPA 99 Fundamentals of Healthcare Facilities Committee; NFPA 99 and 99B Hyperbaric and Hypobaric Facilities Committee; NFPA 101 Board and Care Facilities Committee, and NFPA 101A Alternative Approaches to Life Safety Committee. She serves on ASHRAE 189.3 Design, Construction, and Operation of Sustainable High-Performance Health Care Facilities Committee, Facility Guidelines Institute Steering Committee, and the FGI Healthcare Guidelines Revision Committee. She is a member of the AIA Academy or Architecture for Health Codes and Standards Committee and is a Center for Health Design Knowledge Repository Partner.
Location:
Herrin Civic Center - Herrin Civic Center
101 S 16th St, Herrin, IL 62948
