| (a) The purpose of this chapter is to implement the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 241, which requires general and special hospitals to be licensed by the Department of State Health Services. (b) This chapter provides procedures for obtaining a hospital license; minimum standards for hospital functions and services; patient rights standards; discrimination or retaliation standards; patient transfer and other policy and protocol requirements; reporting, posting and training requirements relating to abuse and neglect; standards for voluntary agreements; waiver provisions; inspection and investigation procedures; enforcement standards; fire prevention and protection requirements; general safety standards; physical plant and construction requirements for existing and new hospitals, and mobile transportable and relocatable units; and standards for the preparation, submittal, review and approval of construction documents. (c) Compliance with this chapter does not constitute release from the requirements of other applicable federal, state, or local laws, codes, rules, regulations and ordinances. This chapter must be followed where it exceeds other codes and ordinances. |
