§ 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.

HISTORY: 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.