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Hospitals are reminded to submit a program flexibility request to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) as soon as possible if any alternative uses of space need to continue. As previously reported, CDPH provided 60 days’ advance notice that, effective July 17, space and other flexibilities in All Facilities Letter (AFL) 20-26.8 will expire.
That AFL has allowed hospitals to reconfigure physical space and modify classification of beds as needed during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
With the expiration of the statewide waiver, hospitals need to restore any modifications of the physical environment or changes of use to the original conditions, unless they secure approval of a program flexibility request from CDPH. Hospitals can submit a Form 5000a emergency program flexibility request to CHCQDutyOfficer@cdph.ca.gov.
In addition, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) provided notice to hospitals today, July 8, that any temporary changes of use or modification without an approved program flexibility request must be restored to original condition by Sept. 1 (six weeks after expiration of the waiver) in compliance with the code it was constructed under. Where such temporary changes are to be made permanent, projects must be submitted to OSHPD for review and approval immediately. See the notice for additional details.