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1.
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DESCRIPTIONS: For DHMH’s
purposes, a “policy” is considered an internal plan
of action and/or decision-making to be used by DHMH
employees when encountering certain issues or
conditions that are the subject of the directive. A
“procedure” is a step-by-step process of interaction
between designated individuals (actors), for the
purpose of carrying out a DHMH policy.
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A. |
DHMH
policies and procedures are tools for employees to use
to obtain the Department’s desired results, and are
established under the authority of the Secretary,
having undergone review and approval by the OAG, and
officials of affected DHMH components. |
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B. |
Unlike laws and regulations, DHMH policies apply only
to DHMH employees and do not require legislative
review. |
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C. |
Unlike guidelines, protocols, and standards, DHMH
policies and procedures require a signature of
approval of the Secretary, and are mandatory for DHMH
employees. In recognition of extenuating
circumstances, individuals or DHMH components may
request a waiver from a policy or procedure. |
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D. |
DHMH
policies and procedures are intended to be
user-friendly, written in plain English and containing
only minimum essential technical, medical, legal, or
scientific terminology. |
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II.
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FORMAT: All DHMH policies will
follow a standard format, with the following
sections:
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A. |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY- Written last, this is a concise but
general condensation of the content of the policy
statements, references, and attachments. All
significant issues addressed by the policy are to be
included. (Text Format) |
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B. |
BACKGROUND- The history of the policy, including
mention of those DHMH policies which are being
superseded, the Annotated Code and COMAR authorities,
and related publications or directives of other
agencies. Mention should also be given to significant
differences, changes or additions from earlier
versions of the policy. (Text Format). |
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C.
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POLICY STATEMENTS - An organized, hierarchic listing
of descriptions, instructions, processes,
principles, considerations, responsibilities,
or other components of a plan to deal with subject
issues. (Outline format) |
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D. |
REFERENCES - A listing of all codes, publications, and
information resources from which the policy is derived
or which are cited in the policy. Hypertext links to
online references are to be included whenever
available. |
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E. |
ADDENDA, EXHIBITS, ATTACHMENTS- Tables, listings,
databases, spreadsheets, definitions, and other
guidelines which supplement the policy statements and
are placed at the end for the purpose of continuity.
NOTE: NO publications, regulations, or references are
to be attached. |
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F. |
Other Sections- As required, with consent of P&P
Administrator. |
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III.
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PROCESS: Policies are to be
promulgated for ongoing issues of significant
Departmental importance which require the approval
authority of the Secretary to enact. Procedures are
to be issued when a policy requires clarification or
instruction for compliance.
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A.
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Policies and procedures are to be prepared and kept up
to date by the units having control and authority over
the subject matter, and in accordance with DHMH policy
guidelines. |
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B. |
Initiating units will work cooperatively with the DHMH
P& P Administrator to prepare and update policies, to
assure timely processing, and to facilitate approval
by relevant officials. |
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C.
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Facility, Administration and Program Directors have
authority to issue guidelines, protocols, and
standards in lieu of policies for their areas of
responsibility and/or for use by their unit’s staff,
when policies are not required. |
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