Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Health Care Facilities and Services
- I have heard that Ohio licenses "health care facilities," but some facilities that are obviously health care providers are not actually licensed. What are the facts?
Health care facility as a generic term encompasses many different providers and suppliers of health care and services; however, in Ohio, we have a very specific category of providers and supplier that fall under a statutory definition of health care facility" for licensing purposes. These are: an ambulatory surgical facility, a freestanding dialysis center, a freestanding rehabilitation facility, a freestanding birthing center, a freestanding radiation therapy center, and a freestanding mobile diagnostic imaging center. The specific definition and rules that apply to each of these HCFs can be found in Chapter 3701-83 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
- I have heard the term "quality rules." To what or who do these quality rules apply?
Beginning in March 1997, Ohio began implementation of a set of rules that established safety standards, quality-of-care standards, and quality-of-care data reporting requirements for nine "Health Care Services" found in health care facilities such as hospitals. These services included: solid organ and bone marrow transplantation; stem cell harvesting and reinfusion; cardiac catherization; open-heart surgery; obstetric and newborn care; pediatric intensive care; operation of linear accelerators; operation of cobalt radiation therapy units; and operations of gamma knives. The law provides that both existing and new providers of these services must meet the standards set forth in order to provide the service(s) in Ohio. While the director of health may conduct onsite inspections to monitor compliance with these quality standards, the program is essentially one of data collection and self-reporting by the providers concerned.
Last Updated: 5/9/01 |
