reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
18 V.S.A. § 1854
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 42 - Bill of Rights for Hospital Patients and Patient Access to Information|§ 1854. Public access to information

§ 1854. Public access to information|(a) A hospital shall make public the maximum patient census and the number of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed nursing assistants providing direct patient care in each unit during each shift. Each unit's information shall be reported in full-time equivalents, with either every eight hours or 12 hours worked by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or licensed nursing assistant during the shift as one full-time equivalent. The reporting of this information shall be in a manner consistent with the requirements for public reporting for measures of nurse staffing selected by the Commissioner of Health under subdivision 9405b(a)(4) of this title, but shall not in any way change what is required to be posted as set forth in this subsection. Each unit's information shall be posted in a prominent place that is readily accessible to patients and visitors in that unit at least once each day. The posting shall include the information for the preceding seven days.(b) The hospital shall provide a telephone number to the public for requesting public information, including information required under this section and sections 1852 and 9405b of this title. The information shall be provided within 24 hours of the request. (Added 2005, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; amended 2007, No. 27, § 1, eff. May 16, 2007; 2011, No. 78 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 2, 2012; 2015, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.)
18 V.S.A. § 1855
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 42 - Bill of Rights for Hospital Patients and Patient Access to Information|§ 1855. Ambulatory surgical patients; explanation of charges

§ 1855. Ambulatory surgical patients; explanation of charges|(a) As used in this section:  (1) "Ambulatory surgical center" has the same meaning as in section 9432 of this title. (2) "Hospital" means a hospital required to be licensed under chapter 43 of this title.   (b) A patient receiving outpatient surgical services or an outpatient procedure at an ambulatory surgical center or hospital shall receive an itemized, detailed, and understandable explanation of charges regardless of the source of payment and shall be provided with information about the ambulatory surgical center's or hospital's financial assistance and billing and collections practices. (Added 2019, No. 53, § 1.)
18 V.S.A. § 1871
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 42A - Patient's Bill of Rights for Palliative Care and Pain Management|§ 1871. Patient's bill of rights for palliative care and pain management

§ 1871. Patient's bill of rights for palliative care and pain management|(a) A patient has the right to be informed of all evidence-based options for care and treatment, including palliative care, in order to make a fully informed patient choice.(b) A patient with a terminal illness has the right to be informed by a clinician of all available options related to terminal care; to be able to request any, all, or none of these options; and to expect and receive supportive care for the specific option or options available.(c) A patient with pain has the right to request or reject the use of any or all treatments in order to relieve his or her pain.(d) A patient with a chronic condition has the right to competent and compassionate medical assistance in managing his or her physical and emotional symptoms.(e) A pediatric patient with a serious or life-limiting illness or condition has the right to receive palliative care while seeking and undergoing potentially curative treatment. (Added 2009, No. 25, § 3; amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 95.)
18 V.S.A. § 1881
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 42B - Health Care Privacy|§ 1881. Disclosure of protected health information prohibited

§ 1881. Disclosure of protected health information prohibited|(a) As used in this section:  (1) "Covered entity" shall have the same meaning as in 45 C.F.R. § 160.103. (2) "Protected health information" shall have the same meaning as in 45 C.F.R. § 160.103.   (b) A covered entity shall not disclose protected health information unless the disclosure is permitted under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). (Added 2015, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2016.)
18 V.S.A. § 1882
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 42B - Health Care Privacy|§ 1882. Disclosures of protected health information to avert a serious risk of danger

§ 1882. Disclosures of protected health information to avert a serious risk of danger|(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly in this section to negate the Vermont Supreme Court's decision in Kuligoski v. Brattleboro Retreat and Northeast Kingdom Human Services, 2016 VT 54A, and limit mental health professionals' duty to that as established in common law by Peck v. Counseling Service of Addison County, Inc., 146 Vt. 61 (1985).(b) A mental health professional's duty is established in common law by Peck v. Counseling Service of Addison County, Inc. and requires that "a mental health professional who knows or, based upon the standards of the mental health profession, should know that his or her patient poses a serious risk of danger to an identifiable victim has a duty to exercise reasonable care to protect him or her from that danger." This duty shall be applied in accordance with State and federal privacy and confidentiality laws.(c) This section does not limit or restrict claims under State or federal law related to safe patient care, including federal discharge planning regulations within the Conditions of Participation for hospitals, patient care regulations for other federally certified facilities, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-272, professional licensing standards, or facility licensing standards.(d) To the extent permitted under federal law, this section does not affect the requirements for mental health professionals to communicate with individuals involved in a patient's care in a manner that is consistent with legal and professional standards, including section 7103 of this title. (Added 2017, No. 51, § 2, eff. May 30, 2017.)
18 V.S.A. § 1901
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1901. Policy

§ 1901. Policy|The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the development, establishment, and enforcement of standards for the construction, maintenance, and operation of hospitals, which, in the light of advancing knowledge, will promote safe and adequate treatment of persons in hospitals. (Amended 1963, No. 154, § 1.)
18 V.S.A. § 1903
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1903. License

§ 1903. License|No person or governmental unit may establish, conduct, or maintain a hospital in this State without first obtaining a license in accordance with this chapter. (Amended 1963, No. 154, § 3; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 66.)
18 V.S.A. § 1904
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1904. Application, fee

§ 1904. Application, fee|(a) An application for a license shall be made to the licensing agency upon forms provided by it and shall contain such information as the licensing agency reasonably requires. Each application for license shall be accompanied by a license fee.(b) Annual license fees.  (1) Base fee of $7,667.00. (2) Per-bed fee of $25.00. (3) The base fee for applicants presenting evidence of current accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations shall be reduced by $2,750.00.   (c) Fees collected under this section shall be credited to a special fund established and managed pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5, and shall be available to the Department to offset the costs of providing those services. (Amended 1963, No. 154, § 4; 2003, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2007, No. 76, § 14; 2009, No. 134 (Adj. Sess.), § 26.)
18 V.S.A. § 1906
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1906. Revocation of license, hearing

§ 1906. Revocation of license, hearing|The licensing agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing to the applicant or licensee, is authorized to deny, suspend, or revoke a license in any case in which it finds that there has been a substantial failure to comply with the requirements established under this chapter. Such notice shall be served by registered mail or by personal service setting forth the reasons for the proposed action and fixing a date not less than 60 days from the date of such mailing or service, at which the applicant or licensee shall be given opportunity for a hearing. After such hearing, or upon default of the applicant or licensee, the licensing agency shall file its findings of fact and conclusions of law. A copy of such findings and decision shall be sent by registered mail or served personally upon the applicant or licensee. The procedure governing hearings authorized by this section shall be in accordance with the usual and customary rules provided for such hearings.
18 V.S.A. § 1907
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1907. Appeal

§ 1907. Appeal|Any applicant or licensee, or the State acting through the Attorney General, aggrieved by the decision of the licensing agency after a hearing, may, within 30 days after entry of the decision as provided in section 1906 of this title, appeal to the Superior Court wherein the appellant is located. The court may affirm, modify, or reverse the decision of the licensing agency and either the applicant or licensee or licensing agency or State may appeal to the Supreme Court for such further review as is provided by law. Pending final disposition of the matter, the status quo of the applicant or licensee shall be preserved, except as the court otherwise orders in the public interest. (Amended 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 185, eff. March 29, 1972; 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974.)
18 V.S.A. § 1908
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1908. Rules; exceptions

§ 1908. Rules; exceptions|(a) The licensing agency shall adopt and enforce rules and standards with respect to the different types of hospitals to be licensed hereunder as may be designed to further the accomplishment of the purposes herein set forth; such rules and standards shall be modified, amended, or rescinded from time to time by the licensing agency as may be in the public interest.(b) No such rules and standards shall be adopted or enforced which would have the effect of denying a license to a hospital solely by reason of the school or system of practice employed or permitted to be employed by physicians therein; provided that such school or system of practice is recognized by the laws of the State. Provided, however, that no rule or requirement shall be made under this chapter for any hospital conducted for those who rely upon treatment by spiritual means or prayer in accordance with the creed or tenets of any recognized church or religious denomination, except as to the sanitary and safe condition of the premises, cleanliness of operation, and its physical equipment. (Amended 2015, No. 23, § 106.)
18 V.S.A. § 1909
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1909. Inspections

§ 1909. Inspections|The licensing agency shall make or cause to be made such inspections and investigations as it deems necessary. If the licensing agency finds a violation as the result of an inspection or investigation, the licensing agency shall post a report on the licensing agency's website summarizing the violation and any corrective action required. (Amended 2019, No. 55, § 2.)
18 V.S.A. § 1910
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1910. Records

§ 1910. Records|(a) Information received by the licensing agency through filed reports, inspection, or as otherwise authorized by law shall:  (1) not be disclosed publicly in a manner that identifies or may lead to the identification of one or more individuals or hospitals; (2) be exempt from public inspection and copying under the Public Records Act; and (3) be kept confidential except as it relates to a proceeding regarding licensure of a hospital.   (b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the summary reports of violations required to be posted on the licensing agency's website pursuant to section 1909 of this chapter. (Amended 2019, No. 55, § 3.)
18 V.S.A. § 1911
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1911. Construction

§ 1911. Construction|This chapter shall not be construed in any way to restrict or modify any law pertaining to the placement and adoption of children or the care of unmarried mothers.
18 V.S.A. § 1911a
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43 - Licensing of Hospitals|§ 1911a. Notice of hospital observation status

§ 1911a. Notice of hospital observation status|(a)(1) Each hospital shall provide oral and written notice to each Medicare beneficiary that the hospital places in observation status as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours following such placement, unless the individual is discharged or leaves the hospital before the 24-hour period expires. The written notice shall be a uniform form developed by the Department of Health, in consultation with interested stakeholders, for use in all hospitals.  (2) If a patient is admitted to the hospital as an inpatient before the notice of observation has been provided, and under Medicare rules the observation services may be billed as part of the inpatient stay, the hospital shall not be required to provide notice of observation status.   (b) Each oral and written notice shall include:  (1) a statement that the individual is under observation as an outpatient and is not admitted to the hospital as an inpatient; (2) a statement that observation status may affect the individual's Medicare coverage for hospital services, including medications and pharmaceutical supplies, and for rehabilitative or skilled nursing services at a skilled nursing facility if needed upon discharge from the hospital; and (3) a statement that the individual may contact the Office of the Health Care Advocate or the Vermont State Health Insurance Assistance Program to understand better the implications of placement in observation status.   (c) Each written notice shall include the name and title of the hospital representative who gave oral notice; the date and time oral and written notice were provided; the means by which written notice was provided, if not provided in person; and contact information for the Office of the Health Care Advocate and the Vermont State Health Insurance Assistance Program.(d) Oral and written notice shall be provided in a manner that is understandable by the individual placed in observation status or by his or her representative or legal guardian.(e) The hospital representative who provided the written notice shall request a signature and date from the individual or, if applicable, his or her representative or legal guardian, to verify receipt of the notice. If a signature and date were not obtained, the hospital representative shall document the reason. (Added 2015, No. 54, § 5, eff. Dec. 1, 2015.)
18 V.S.A. § 1912
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43A - Patient Safety Surveillance and Improvement System|§ 1912. Definitions

§ 1912. Definitions|As used in this chapter:  (1) "Adverse event" is any untoward incident, therapeutic misadventure, iatrogenic injury, or other undesirable occurrence directly associated with care or services provided by a health care provider or health care facility. (2) "Causal analysis" means a formal root cause analysis, similar analytic methodologies, or any similarly effective but simplified processes that use a systematic approach to identify the basic or causal factors that underlie the occurrence or possible occurrence of a reportable adverse event, adverse event, or near miss. (3) "Corrective action plan" means a plan to implement strategies intended to eliminate or significantly reduce the risk of a recurrence of an adverse event and to measure the effectiveness of such strategies. (4) "Hospital" shall have the same meaning as in subdivision 1902(1) of this title. (5) "Health care provider" shall have the same meaning as in subdivision 9402(7) of this title. (6) "Intentional unsafe act" shall mean an adverse event or near miss that results from:  (A) a criminal act; (B) a purposefully unsafe act; (C) alcohol or substance abuse; or (D) patient abuse.  (7) "Near miss" means any process variation that did not affect the outcome, but for which a recurrence carries a significant chance of a serious adverse outcome. (8) "Reportable adverse event" means those adverse events a hospital is required to report to the Department pursuant to regulations adopted under this chapter. (9) "Safety system" means the comprehensive patient safety surveillance and improvement system established pursuant to this chapter and the regulations adopted hereunder. (10) "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes substantial loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ or substantial impairment of health or substantial disfigurement. (Added 2005, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 324.)
18 V.S.A. § 1913
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43A - Patient Safety Surveillance and Improvement System|§ 1913. Creation; implementation

§ 1913. Creation; implementation|(a) The Commissioner shall establish a comprehensive patient safety surveillance and improvement system for the purpose of improving patient safety, eliminating adverse events in Vermont hospitals, and supporting and facilitating quality improvement efforts by hospitals. The Department may contract with a qualified organization having expertise in patient safety to develop and implement all or part of the safety system.(b) The Department shall:  (1) collect data concerning the occurrence of reportable adverse events; (2) aggregate and analyze data for the purpose of developing and implementing strategies to target and eliminate specific adverse events; (3) verify that hospitals are in compliance with all the requirements of this chapter and regulations adopted hereunder; (4) for reportable adverse events, verify that hospitals are conducting causal analyses and developing corrective action plans consistent with standards set by the Department, current patient safety science, and relevant clinical standards; (5) provide technical assistance or assist hospitals in locating technical assistance resources for analyzing adverse events and near misses and developing and implementing corrective action plans; and (6) encourage hospitals to utilize anonymous in-hospital reporting when possible.   (c) The Commissioner may retain or contract with such additional professional or other staff as needed to carry out responsibilities under this chapter.(d) Beginning on July 1, 2007, expenses incurred for development and implementation of the safety system shall be borne as follows: 50 percent from General Fund monies and 50 percent by the hospitals.(e) Not later than January 15, 2008, the Commissioner of Health shall provide an interim report to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Committees on Human Services and on Health Care on the status of the safety system, its effectiveness in improving patient safety and health care quality in the State, and cost savings. Not later than January 15, 2009, the Commissioner shall make a final report to those Committees on those subjects and shall make recommendations regarding expansion of the system to include health care facilities other than hospitals.(f) The authority granted to the Commissioner under this chapter is in addition to any other authority granted to the Commissioner under law. (Added 2005, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 324.)
18 V.S.A. § 1914
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43A - Patient Safety Surveillance and Improvement System|§ 1914. Rulemaking

§ 1914. Rulemaking|(a) The Commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 establishing the hospital obligations listed in section 1915 of this title and otherwise necessary for the implementation of the safety system.(b) The rules shall list reportable adverse events, which shall include the "serious reportable events" published by the National Quality Forum. The Commissioner shall consult with experts and hospitals when making changes to the list of reportable adverse events and shall consider the implications of reporting requirements that may be established as a result of the federal Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005. The Department shall consult with other regulatory agencies and departments and, to the extent possible, avoid imposing duplicative reporting requirements. (Added 2005, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 324.)
18 V.S.A. § 1915
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 18 - Health|Chapter 43A - Patient Safety Surveillance and Improvement System|§ 1915. Hospital obligations

§ 1915. Hospital obligations|The rules adopted pursuant to this chapter shall require hospitals to:  (1) develop, maintain, and implement internal policies and procedures that meet the standards of the Department to:  (A) identify, track, and analyze reportable adverse events, adverse events, and near misses; (B) determine what type of causal analysis, if any, is appropriate; (C) conduct causal analyses and develop corrective action plans; and (D) disclose to patients, or, in the case of a patient death, an adult member of the immediate family, at a minimum, adverse events that cause death or serious bodily injury;  (2) report reportable adverse events to the Department; (3) provide the Department with copies of its causal analysis and corrective action plan in connection with each reportable adverse event; (4) for reportable adverse events that must also by law be reported to other departments or agencies, notify the Department of Health or provide a copy of any written report and provide any causal analysis information required by the Department; (5) for the purpose of evaluating a hospital's compliance with the provisions of this chapter, provide the Commissioner and designees reasonable access to:  (A) information protected by the provisions of the patient's privilege under 12 V.S.A. § 1612(a) or otherwise required by law to be held confidential; and (B) the minutes and records of a peer review committee and any other information subject to peer review protection under 26 V.S.A. § 1443. (Added 2005, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 324.)