Changes to the Document

The Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities is updated every four or five years through a consensus process that includes public input; this process is called the Guidelines revision cycle.

A six-month period for public submission of proposed changes to the language in the current edition of the Guidelines occurs near the beginning of each revision cycle. By clicking on the appropriate link to the left under the title “Changes to Guidelines,” anyone may reach the public proposal Web site, where individuals can register and submit a proposal to add, delete, or revise text in the Guidelines.

The HGRC considers the public proposals, as well as new proposals prepared by the HGRC members and subcommittees, and votes on whether to accept or reject them or accept them with modification. The result of this work by the committee is a draft revised edition of the Guidelines. This draft is posted on the Web for public review and comment. The appropriate link to the left will allow anyone to make a comment on the draft document during the public comment period.

The HGRC meets a final time to consider the comments on the draft and to vote on the content of the final document. A revised draft is reviewed by the Steering Committee and then submitted to the entire HGRC for final approval by ballot. Subsequently, the next edition of the Guidelines is published.

UPDATE: The public comment period for the 2010 Guidelines revision cycle will open in early September 2008. Watch this site for notification.