59A-3.252. Classification of Hospitals

(1) The Agency will license four classes of facilities.

(a) Class I or general hospitals which includes:

1. General acute care hospitals with an average length of stay of 25 days or less for all beds;

2. Long term care hospitals, which meet the provisions of subsection 59A-3.065(24), F.A.C.; and,

3. Rural hospitals designated under Section 395, Part III, F.S.

(b) Class II specialty hospitals offering the range of medical services offered by general hospitals, but restricted to a defined age or gender group of the population which includes:

1. Specialty hospitals for children; and,

2. Specialty hospitals for women.

(c) Class III specialty hospitals offering a restricted range of services appropriate to the diagnosis, care, and treatment of patients with specific categories of medical or psychiatric illnesses or disorders which include:

1. Specialty medical hospitals;

2. Specialty rehabilitation hospitals;

3. Specialty psychiatric hospitals, which may include beds licensed to offer Intensive Residential Treatment programs; and,

4. Specialty substance abuse hospitals, which may include beds licensed to offer Intensive Residential Treatment programs.

(d) Class IV specialty hospitals restricted to offering Intensive Residential Treatment Facility Services for Children and Adolescents, pursuant to Section 395.002(15), F.S. and subsection 59A-3.065(22), F.A.C.

(2) In addition to other requirements specified in these rules, all licensed hospitals shall have at least the following:

(a) Inpatient beds;

(b) A governing authority legally responsible for the conduct of the hospital;

(c) A chief executive officer or others similarly titled official to who the governing authority delegates the full-time authority for the operation of the hospital in accordance with the established policy of the governing authority;

(d) An organized medical staff to which the governing authority delegates responsibility for maintaining proper standards for medical and other health care;

(e) A current and complete medical record for each patient admitted to the hospital;

(f) A policy requiring that all patients be admitted on the authority of and under the care of a member of the organized medical staff;

(g) Facilities and professional staff available to provide food to patients to meet their nutritional needs;

(h) A procedure for providing care in emergency cases;

(i) A method and policy for infection control; and,

(j) An on-going organized program to enhance the quality of patient care and review the appropriateness of utilization of services.

(3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (2) and other requirements of these rules, Class I, and Class II hospitals shall have at least the following:

(a) One licensed registered nurse on duty at all times on each floor or similarly titled part of the hospital for rendering patient care services;

(b) A pharmacy supervised by a licensed pharmacist either in the facility or by contract sufficient to meet patient needs;

(c) Diagnostic imaging services either in the facility or by contract sufficient to meet patient needs;

(d) Clinical laboratory services either in the facility or by contract sufficient to meet patient needs;

(e) Operating room services; and,

(f) Anesthesia service.

(4) In addition to the requirements of subsection (2) and other requirements of these rules, all Class II, Class III and Class IV hospitals shall provide the treatment services, equipment, supplies and staff appropriate to the particular category of patients treated at the facility.

(5) All Class III hospitals, in addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (2) and other requirements of these rules, must provide:

(a) For at least one qualified staff person at all times on each floor or similarly titled part of the hospital for rendering patient care services;

(b) A pharmacy supervised by a licensed pharmacist either in the facility or by contract sufficient to meet patient needs;

(c) Diagnostic imaging services either in the facility or by contract sufficient to meet patient needs;

(d) Clinical laboratory services, either in the facility or by contract sufficient to meet patient needs; and,

(e) Any other services, when provided by a Class III or Class IV hospital, shall meet the standards pertinent to that particular service as promulgated in Rules 59A-3.065 through 59A-3.303, F.A.C., as applicable.

Rulemaking Authority 395.1055 FS. Law Implemented 395.1055 FS. History–New 9-4-95, Formerly 59A-3.202, Amended 10-16-14.