1278

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 107

(ii) Periodically of each [hospital and]
related institution AND EACH NONACCREDITED HOSPITAL for
which a license has been issued.

(2)  AN ACCREDITED HOSPITAL SHALL BE SUBJECT TO
INSPECTIONS UNDER THIS SUBTITLE BY THE DEPARTMENT ONLY FOR
THE PURPOSE OF COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION.

(3)  A HOSPITAL THAT BEGINS INITIAL OPERATION ON
OR AFTER JULY 1, 1982 SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH
THE SAFETY AND SANITATION COMPONENTS OF THE REGULATIONS
PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT. IF THE HOSPITAL HAS NOT
APPLIED FOR ACCREDITATION BY THE JOINT COMMISSION ON
ACCREDITATION OF HOSPITALS WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER BEGINNING
OPERATION OR HAS HAD ITS APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION
REJECTED, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INSPECT THE HOSPITAL FOR
COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARDS ADOPTED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

[(2)] (4) At least 2 inspections a year of each
[hospital and] related institution shall be unannounced.

[(3)] (5) The part of a building that contains
part of a hospital or related institution and any
outbuilding are considered part of the facility and are
subject to inspection to determine occupancy status for
licensing purposes.

[(4)] (6) During each regular session of the
General Assembly, the Department shall submit to the General
Assembly a report on the inspections.

[(5)] (7) (i) An employee of the Department may
not inform a hospital or related institution of any proposed
inspection activity, unless the chief of the employee's
division directs the employee to do so.

(ii) An employee who violates any
provision of this paragraph is guilty of a misdemeanor and
on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or
imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.

(C) AN ACCREDITED HOSPITAL SHALL MAKE THE SURVEY
FINDINGS OF THE JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF
HOSPITALS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT AT THE
HOSPITAL.

19-309.

(A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS
SUBTITLE, EACH HOSPITAL SHALL BE OPEN TO INSPECTIONS BY THE
DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE ANY COMPLAINT
CONCERNING PATIENT CARE, SAFETY, MEDICAL AND NURSING
SUPERVISION, PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, SANITATION OR DIETARY
MATTERS.