Section 19-307 - Classifications of hospitals and related institutions. - Maryland Statutes

§ 19-307. Classifications of hospitals and related institutions.
 

(a)  Hospitals.-  

(1) A hospital shall be classified: 

(i) As a general hospital if the hospital at least has the facilities and provides the services that are necessary for the general medical and surgical care of patients; 

(ii) As a special hospital if the hospital: 

1. Defines a program of specialized services, such as obstetrics, mental health, tuberculosis, orthopedy, chronic disease, or communicable disease; 

2. Admits only patients with medical or surgical needs within the program; and 

3. Has the facilities for and provides those specialized services; 

(iii) As a special rehabilitation hospital if the hospital meets the requirements of this subtitle and Subtitle 12 of this title; or 

(iv) As a limited service hospital if the health care facility: 

1. Is licensed as a hospital on or after January 1, 1999; 

2. Changes the type or scope of services offered by eliminating the capability to admit or retain individuals for overnight hospitalization; 

3. Retains an emergency or urgent care center; and 

4. Complies with the regulations adopted by the Secretary under § 19-307.1 of this subtitle. 

(2) The Secretary may set, by rule or regulation, other reasonable classifications for hospitals. 

(b)  Related institutions.- A related institution shall be classified: 

(1) As a care home if the related institution provides care to individuals who, because of advanced age or physical or mental disability, require domiciliary care or personal care in a protective environment; or 

(2) As a nursing home if the related institution: 

(i) Provides nursing care for chronically ill or convalescent patients; or 

(ii) Offers to provide 24-hour a day nursing care of patients in a home-type facility such as: 

1. A convalescent home; 

2. A nursing unit of a home for the aged; 

3. A psychiatric nursing home; 

4. A nursing facility for individuals with disabilities; 

5. A home for alcoholics; or 

6. A halfway house. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 43, §§ 556, 562; 1982, ch. 21, § 2; 1986, ch. 733; 1990, ch. 545; 1996, ch. 147; 1999, ch. 678; 2001, ch. 255; 2002, ch. 19, § 4; 2004, ch. 25, § 6.]