Rhode Island § 23-17-10 - Licensing of Healthcare Facilities

§ 23-17-10. Regulations, inspections, and investigations — Certain hospitals required to provide on-premises coverage by physician — Uniform reports — Data systems.

(a)(1) The licensing agency, with the advice of the health services council, shall, after a public hearing pursuant to reasonable notice, adopt, amend, promulgate, and enforce rules, regulations, and standards with respect to each category of healthcare facility to be licensed under this chapter that may be designed to further the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter in promoting safe and adequate treatment of individuals in healthcare facilities in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare. Provided, further, however, that all licensed medical, surgical, or obstetrical hospitals (excepting those hospitals as defined in § 23-17-2, as amended, which maintain an on-premises emergency room staffed by a licensed physician, resident, or intern at all times) and freestanding emergency-care facilities shall be required to protect their patients by providing on-premises coverage by a licensed physician, resident, or intern at all times.

(2) In developing regulations for home nursing-care providers and home-care providers, the director shall consider and adopt, where appropriate, standards of relevant, national accrediting bodies. The director shall make, or cause to be made, quality improvement and licensure inspections of each licensed, home nursing-care provider and home-care provider at a minimum of once in a twelve-month (12) period. These inspections shall include, but not be limited to: home visits, patient surveys, and employee interviews.

(b) The licensing agency shall make, or cause to be made, any inspections and investigations that it deems necessary, including medical records. The licensing agency, with the advice of the health services council, shall also adopt, amend, promulgate, and enforce rules and regulations to provide for a uniform system of reporting detailed financial and statistical data pertaining to the operation, services, and facilities of the healthcare facilities and the periodic reporting shall, in accordance with the rules and regulations, be concerned with, but not limited to, unit cost utilization charges of healthcare facility services, financial condition of healthcare facilities, and quality of healthcare facility care. The uniform reports shall also include institutional plans that shall be prescribed in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the licensing agency with the advice of the health services council. Each healthcare facility shall establish and maintain data systems to meet the requirements of any uniform system of periodic reporting that may be prescribed in accordance with the provisions of this section. The data shall be made available and be considered by the state agency concerned with the reimbursement and/or utilization of healthcare facility services.