12VAC30-20-100: Standards governing general and special hospitals and convalescent and nursing homes

Title 32 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the State Board of Health to adopt and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations as to standards of health to be maintained and such other matters as will promote the safety and ensure proper attention and service to and care of patients and inmates of private or public hospitals and institutions.

Rules and regulations governing general and special hospitals and convalescent and nursing homes in Virginia are published by the Virginia Department of Health under the above legal authority. Only facilities that meet the standards and requirements of these rules and regulations are licensed for operation within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Compliance is evaluated from scheduled and non-scheduled personal visits to each facility by a highly qualified specially designated staff element (Bureau of Medical and Nursing Facilities) Division of Licensure Certification of the Virginia Department of Health. Rules and regulations are available for review upon request.

Intermediate care facilities in mental institutions are licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as a condition for certification as an ICF facility by the Department of Health's Bureau of Medical and Nursing Facilities.

Mental hospitals and institutions for individuals with intellectual disabilities, which render hospital or skilled nursing home services, are licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and are certified for the Title XVIII Program by the Virginia Department of Health's Bureau of Medical and Nursing Facilities.

Descriptions of standards utilized for licensing and certifying these institutions, published in official, bound form are available for review upon request.