La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-4205

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-4205 - Licensure Requirements

A. All ADHC centers shall be licensed by the Department of Health (LDH). LDH is the only licensing authority for ADHC centers in the State of Louisiana. It shall be unlawful to operate an ADHC center without possessing a current, valid license issued by LDH. The license shall:

1. be issued only to the person/entity named in the license application;

2. be valid only for the ADHC center to which it is issued and only for the specific geographic address of the center;

3. be valid for one year from the date of issuance, unless revoked prior to that date;

4. expire on the last day of the twelfth month after the date of issuance, unless otherwise renewed;

5. not be subject to sale, assignment, or other transfer, voluntary or involuntary; and

6. be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises at all times.

B. In order for an ADHC center to be considered operational and retain licensed status, the center shall meet the following conditions.

1. The center shall always have at least one employee on duty at the business location during the days and hours of operation. Once a participant is admitted, all staff that are required to provide services shall be on duty during operational hours to assure adequate coverage and care to participants.

2. There shall be sufficient numbers of trained direct care and professional services staff either employed or contracted and available to be assigned to provide care and services to persons receiving services at all times.

3. The ADHC center shall have admitted and have provided services to at least two participants in the past 12 months prior to their licensure resurvey onsite at the ADHC.

C. The licensed ADHC center is required to abide by and adhere to any state laws, rules, policy, and procedure manuals or memorandums pertaining to ADHC centers issued by LDH.

D. Plan Review. A complete online submittal of plans and specifications to the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by that office. A letter shall accompany the plans to explain the scope of work. The letter shall include the types of services offered, ADHC center participant capacity, geographic location, special features, or specific requirements for the patient population served (e.g. age range, acuity level), and whether it is a relocation, renovation, and/or new construction. A copy of this letter is to be sent to the ADHC Program Desk Manager, with the applicable ADHC application packet.

1. Submission of Plans

a. New Construction. All new construction shall be done in accordance with the specific requirements of the OSFM and the Office of Public Health (OPH). The requirements cover new construction in ADHCs, including submission of preliminary plans and the final work drawings and specifications to each of these agencies. Plan review shall be performed in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the OSFM. Plans and specifications shall be prepared by or under the direction of a licensed architect and/or a qualified licensed engineer and shall include scaled architectural plans stamped by an architect.

b. Adult Day Health Care. No ADHC shall hereafter be licensed without the prior written approval of, and unless in accordance with plans and specifications approved in advance by the OSFM. This includes new construction, additions, renovations, or any change in service or the establishment of an ADHC in any healthcare facility or former healthcare facility.

2. Approval of Plans

a. Notice of satisfactory review from the OSFM constitutes compliance with this requirement if construction begins within 180 days of the date of such notice. This approval shall in no way permit and/or authorize any omission or deviation from the requirements of any restrictions, laws, ordinances, codes, or rules of any responsible agency.

b. In the event that submitted materials do not appear to satisfactorily comply with the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC), the OSFM shall notify the party submitting the plans in writing, listing the particular items in question, and request further explanation and/or confirmation of necessary modifications.

3. Waivers

a. The secretary of the department may, within his/her sole discretion, grant waivers to building and construction guidelines or requirements and to provisions of the licensing rules involving the clinical operation of the ADHC. The facility shall submit a waiver request in writing to the licensing section of the department on forms prescribed by the department.

b. In the waiver request, the facility shall demonstrate the following:

i. how client health, safety, and welfare will not be compromised if such waiver is granted;

ii. how the quality of care offered will not be compromised if such waiver is granted; and

iii. the ability of the facility to completely fulfill all other requirements of the service or condition or regulation.

c. The licensing section of the department shall have each waiver request reviewed by an internal waiver review committee. In conducting such internal waiver review, the following shall apply:

i. the waiver review committee may consult subject matter experts as necessary, including the OSFM; and

ii. the waiver review committee may require the facility to submit risk assessments or other documentation to the department.

d. The director of the licensing section of the department shall submit the waiver review committee's recommendation on each waiver to the secretary, or the secretary's designee, for final determination.

e. The department shall issue a written decision of the waiver request to the facility. The granting of any waiver may be for a specific length of time.

f. The written decision of the waiver request is final. There is no right to an appeal of the decision of the waiver request.

g. If any waiver is granted, it is not transferrable in an ownership change or change of location.

h. Waivers are subject to review and revocation upon any change of circumstance related to the waiver or upon a finding that the health, safety, or welfare of a patient may be compromised.

i. Any waivers granted by the department prior to January 1, 2024, shall remain in place, subject to any time limitations on such waivers; further, such waivers shall be subject to the following:

i. such waivers are subject to review or revocation upon any change in circumstance related to the waiver or upon a finding that the health, safety, or welfare of a patient may be compromised; and

ii. such waivers are not transferrable in an ownership change or change of location.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-4205

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 34:2178 (October 2008), repromulgated LR 34:2623 (December 2008), Amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 431965 (10/1/2017), Amended by the Department of Health, Health Standards Section, LR 50404 (3/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and 40:2120.41-46.