Health Facilities

Topics:

Health Facilities & Programs

The following types of health facilities fall under the oversight and regulation of DIAL. To find inspection reports and fine information, visit the Health Facilities database.

Hospitals are primarily devoted to the treatment or care for persons experiencing illness, injury, or deformity; for obstetrical care; or for chronic or convalescent care. Hospitals are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 135B and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Hospitals may be accredited by two different organizations: The Joint Commission or the American Osteopathic Association, both of which meet all Medicare conditions of participation (CoP), except the required provision of active treatment in psychiatric hospitals. Non-accredited hospitals are surveyed by DIAL to determine compliance with Medicare CoP.

Critical Access Hospitals

A critical access hospital (CAH) certified in the Medicare program and licensed as a CAH must be located in a rural area, designated by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as a necessary provider, have an agreement with a network hospital, operate with 25 beds or fewer, and maintain an average length of stay of 96 hours or less. Critical access hospitals are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 135B and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Long-Term Care Hospitals
A long-term care hospital (LTCH) is certified as an acute-care hospital, and provides acute care for patients who stay for more than 25 days, on average. Many patients in long-term care hospitals have transferred from an intensive care or critical care unit. Long-term care hospitals specialize in treating patients with more than one serious condition who, with time and care, may improve and return home. Long-term care hospitals are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Psychiatric Hospitals
A psychiatric hospital primarily provides services surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of mentally-ill persons by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (M.D or D.O). Psychiatric hospitals are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Rehabilitation Hospitals
Rehabilitation hospitals, or “inpatient rehabilitation facilities,” provide psychiatric and/or rehabilitation services explicitly excluded, or not paid for, under the Medicare prospective payment system. Rehabilitation hospitals are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Swing-Bed Hospitals
A swing-bed hospital is a critical access hospital (CAH), participating in Medicare that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved to provide post-hospital skilled nursing facility care and meets certain requirements. The definition of a swing-bed hospital can be found in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Approved Third-Party Vendors for Background Checks

DIAL is required to post third-party vendors for background checks of potential health facility staff that have been vetted, approved, and provided by statewide associations of hospitals, health care facilities, programs, and providers. Providers may select a vendor from the list to conduct comprehensive preliminary background checks for provisional employment of employees or participation by students.

Each vendor here is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA).