Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 111 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH › Chapter 111-8 - HEALTHCARE FACILITY REGULATION › Subject 111-8-56 - NURSING HOMES › Rule 111-8-56-.20 - Nursing Home Permit Requirements

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1) To be eligible for a permit the nursing
				home must be in satisfactory compliance with these rules and regulations and
				the provisions at law which apply to the locations, construction and
				maintenance of homes and the safety of the patients therein.
(2) Prior to the issuance of a permit and at
				the request of the Commissioner, the governing body or operator shall furnish
				to the Department evidence of satisfactory compliance with any laws or
				regulations thereunder applicable to homes but the enforcement of which is the
				responsibility of a department or agency of government other than the
				Department.
(3) The permit shall be
				framed and publicly displayed at all times.
(4) Permits are not transferable from one
				governing body or operator to another, nor valid when the home is moved from
				one location to another.
(5)
				Nursing homes shall provide the Department at least ninety (90) days prior
				written notice of the following events via electronic mail at
				HFRD.NH@dch.ga.gov (or such other updated address posted on the Department's
				website), and, for applicable events, shall take the following required
				actions:
(a) Date of a proposed transfer of
				ownership and/or change of the operator of the nursing home. The transferring
				nursing home owner and/or the owner of the real estate upon which the nursing
				home is located shall provide to the Department a copy of the acquisition
				agreement, operator or management agreement, lease agreement, and any other
				documents regarding the transfer as requested by the Department.
(b) Date of closure of the nursing home or
				anticipated interruption of nursing home operations. Prior to ceasing
				operations, a nursing home shall timely notify the Department of the planned
				storage location for residents' medical records, medical staff information, and
				other critical information. The nursing home shall publish on its webpage in a
				prominent location and in a widely circulated newspaper(s) in the nursing home
				service area a notice indicating where medical records and other critical
				information can be retrieved. The nursing home shall also provide this
				information to its residents or their designated representatives in writing.
				Following its closure, the nursing home shall promptly notify the Department in
				writing of any change in location of the residents' medical records, medical
				staff information, and other critical information;
(c) The effective date of a transaction
				involving a nursing home's acquisition, sale, divestment, transfer of
				operations, or merger with another nursing home or other business entity;
				or
(d) Effective date of material
				changes affecting nursing home operations, including but not limited to the
				addition of any services, reduction or elimination of bed capacity, or other
				material change(s) regarding the nursing home's delivery of services. Such
				notification shall include a detailed description of the material changes.
A nursing home may be fined by the Department in an amount of
				  $1000.00 per day that any notification required by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r.
				  111-8-56-.20 is late, subject to
				  waiver or reduction of such notice requirement by the Department for good
				  cause, as it determines in its sole discretion. A nursing home may also be
				  fined $1000.00 per day that it fails to take any other action required by Ga.
				  Comp. R. & Regs. r.
				  111-8-56-.20, after receipt of
				  written notice by the Department. The Department shall review all proposed
				  events and actions in accordance with its regulatory authority. A nursing home
				  must also promptly respond to information requests issued by the
				  Department.