2600, Facilities

Body

Revision 24-2; Effective Sept. 20, 2024

2610 Facilities and Equipment

Revision 26-3; Effective Sept. 1, 2026

Grantees must always maintain a safe environment, provide clean and well-maintained facilities where services are delivered, and have appropriate exterior signs to identify funded entity as a health care facility. Appropriate space must be provided for exam rooms, client intake, waiting areas and clinical and administrative staff attendance and functions.

Hazardous Materials and Waste

Grantees must have written policies and procedures to address:

  • the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and waste per applicable laws and regulations;
  • the handling, storage and disposal of chemical and infectious waste, including sharps; and
  • an orientation and education program for personnel who manage or have contact with hazardous materials and waste.

Fire Safety

Grantees must have a written fire safety policy that includes a schedule for testing and maintenance of fire safety equipment. Evacuation plans for the premises must be clearly posted and visible to all staff and clients.

Medical Equipment

Grantees must have a written policy and maintain documentation of the maintenance, testing and inspection of medical equipment, which includes automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Documents must include:

  • assessments of the clinical and physical risks of equipment through inspection, testing and maintenance;
  • reports of any equipment management problems, failures and user errors;
  • an orientation and education program for personnel who use medical equipment; and
  • manufacturer recommendations for the care and use of medical equipment.

Radiology Equipment and Standards

All facilities that provide radiology services must:

For information on X-ray machine registration, review the Texas Department of State Health Services, Radiation Control Program.

Smoking and Vaping Ban

Grantees must have a written policy that prohibits smoking and vaping in any portion of their indoor facilities. If a grantee subcontracts with another entity to provide health services, the subgrantee must comply with this policy.

Disaster Response Plan

Grantees must have written plans that address how staff will respond to emergencies such as fires, flooding, power outages and bomb threats. The disaster plan must identify the procedures and processes to be initiated during a disaster and the staff position responsible for each activity. A disaster response plan must be in writing, formally communicated to staff and kept in the workplace available to employees for review. For an employer with 10 or fewer employees, the plan may be communicated verbally 

For resources on facilities and equipment, review the   Occupational Safety and Health Administration Compliance Assistance Guide.

Clinical Emergencies

Grantees must adequately prepare to handle clinical emergency situations. Each site must:

  • have a written plan for the management of on-site medical emergencies and emergencies that require ambulance services.
  • have staff trained in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency medical action. Staff trained in CPR must be present at all hours of clinic operations.
  • maintain emergency resuscitative drugs, supplies and equipment appropriate to the services provided at that site and appropriately trained staff when clients are present.
  • maintain documents in personnel files that confirm staff are trained in the written plans or protocols.

Suicide Prevention

Grantees must display signs related to suicide prevention, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. These signs must be displayed in areas where clients and the public can easily refer to them, such as lobbies, waiting rooms, front reception desks and locations where people apply for and receive services.

Examples of suitable flyers are on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website:

More mental health and suicide prevention resources are available at: