Licensure Reviews
Posted by: CQL on 12/15/2006
Filed under: Washington, DC
District of Columbia Department of Health Health Regulation Administration
The Situation
The District of Columbia Department of Health licenses and certifies health care facilities for compliance with state and federal health and safety standards. The Health Regulation Administration (HRA) administers all District and federal laws and regulations governing the licensing certification and registration of health related professionals, health care and human services facilities and establishments to ensure the protection of the health and safety of vulnerable children and adults. The District has the responsibility for oversight and monitoring of the 129 Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR).
In 2002, the District was faced with a backlog in completing ICF/MR surveys in accordance with CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) criteria that might have resulted in loss of Medicaid funds.
What CQL Did
Building on five years of experience in conducting federal “look-behind” surveys for CMS, CQL was able to mobilize teams of qualified surveyors to complete the backlog of ICF/MR surveys in less than four months.
CQL staff conducted federal certification surveys of residential facilities for HRA and conducted follow up visits, as needed. All federally required survey reports and documentation were completed within two days of completion of on-site work.