Special Hospitals

For consideration of a special hospital license, an establishment must meet the following:

• offer services, facilities, and beds for use for more than 24 hours for two or more unrelated individuals who are regularly admitted, treated, and discharged and who require services more intensive than room, board, personal services, and general nursing care;
• provide clinical laboratory facilities, diagnostic x-ray facilities, treatment facilities, or other definitive medical treatment;
• provide a medical staff in regular attendance;
• maintain records of the clinical work performed for each patient; and
• not provide surgical services.

The Facility Licensing Group is responsible for developing rules that establish minimum standards for special hospital licensing procedures; fees; operational requirements; inspection and investigation procedures; construction; fire prevention and safety requirements; license denial, probation, suspension and revocation.

Accreditation

Applying for an Initial Special Hospital License

Audit Tools

Data - Hospital Licensing

Directories of Hospitals

Fees

Injury Prevention and Control Reporting Requirements

Medicare Information

Patient Bill of Rights

Accreditation

Hospitals may be accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Applying for an Initial Special Hospital License

The application process for special hospital licensing involves:

• Health Facility Licensing Group staff who review the application and required documents for deficiencies. Refer to the application form for fee amount, mailing address and instructions.
• Health Facility Compliance Group staff who are responsible for conducting a pre- survey conference and surveying the facility for compliance with the provisions on Health and Safety Code, Chapter 241 and TAC Chapter 133. Refer to the application form for timelines.
• Architectural Review Group staff who are responsible for approving final construction documents, plans and specifications, as well as, conducting inspections. Click here for more information on the architectural review process.

Audit Tools

Audit tools are provided for use by your facility in preparation for a state licensure and/or Medicare certification survey. We suggest you conduct an audit of your facility’s compliance to standards of licensure and/or certification prior to the scheduled or unannounced survey.

Data -Hospital Licensing

Counting methodology - Beginning December 5, 2000, the department began counting the number of licensed hospitals by the number of hospital buildings licensed, instead of the count of license numbers issued.

Other hospital and health-related data for Texas – Link to DSHS Center for Health Statistics: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/chs/default.shtm

Fees

$39 per bed for licensing application fee.
Refer to architectural forms for appropriate plan review and inspection fees.
Application fees are not refundable.

Medicare Information

Hospitals may be certified to participate in the federal Medicare Program. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) directs state health agencies or other appropriate agencies to determine if health care entities meet federal standards. This helping function is termed "provider certification." Health Facility Compliance Group staff is responsible for certifying hospitals. For more information on the certification process, refer to Rules/Regulation link on right-hand side menu box or contact your zone office. See the City-Region-Zone List to find your appropriate zone office.

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Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Facillity Licensing Program
1100 West 49th Street - Austin, Texas 78756 - (512) 834-6646

Last Updated November 25, 2008