Enforcement - Health Care Facilities

The Bureau of Regulatory Compliance (BRC) helps protect the health and safety of more than 100,000 Ohioans living in nursing homes, residential care facilities, adult care facilities and county homes by enforcing state and federal health care and environmental standards. Additionally, the bureau enforces state standards for licensed ambulatory surgical facilities, free-standing dialysis facilities, cardiac catheterization facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and freestanding birthing centers as well as quality standards for eight categories of specialized health care services.

Pursuant to state and federal law, BRC also administers disapproval of Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs that are operated by noncompliant nursing homes. Health care services and facilities with significant compliance problems are subject to a variety of sanctions including fines, bans on new admissions or denial of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid-eligible admissions, and license suspensions and revocations, depending on legal authority. Often a simple letter warning of possible sanctions prompts providers to immediately correct problems and improve health and safety. The use of intermediate sanctions, such as fines and denial of payment for new admissions encourages nursing homes to take prompt corrective action, avoiding facility closures and the accompanying relocation concerns of residents and families.

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Regulatory Compliance
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: (614) 644-6220
Fax: (614) 387-2762

E-mail: BRC@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 1/30/07

                                                                      Adult Care Facilities Program