S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-77.200.202

Current through Register Vol. 48, 12, December 27, 2024

Section 61-77.200.202 - Inspections and Investigations

A. The Home Health Agency shall be inspected prior to initial licensing and subsequently as determined by the Department.

B. All Home Health Agencies are subject to Inspection and/or Investigation at any time without prior notice by individuals authorized by the South Carolina Code of Laws. When Staff are absent from the Parent Home Health Agency, the Home Health Agency shall post information at the entrance of the Home Health Agency to those seeking legitimate access to the Home Health Agency, as to the expected return of the Staff. The Home Health Agency shall ensure the posted information includes contact information and the expected time of return of the Staff members and Patients. The Home Health Agency shall ensure the contact information includes the name of a designated contact and his or her telephone number. The Home Health Agency shall ensure the telephone number for the designated contact is not the Home Health Agency telephone number. (I)

C. Individuals authorized by South Carolina law shall be granted access to all properties and areas, objects, documents, and records at the time of Inspections and Investigations and in a timely manner and have the authority to require the Agency to make photocopies of those documents required in the course of Inspections or Investigations. Photocopies shall be used only for purposes of enforcement of regulations and confidentiality shall be maintained except to verify individuals in enforcement action proceedings. Records shall be made available to individuals authorized by the Department in a timely manner. (I)

D. When there is noncompliance with the licensing standards, the Agency shall submit an acceptable written plan of correction in a format determined by the Department. The Agency shall return the plan of correction by the date specified on the report of Inspection and/or Investigation. The Agency shall describe the following in the written plan of correction:

1. The actions taken to correct each cited deficiency;

2. The actions taken to prevent recurrences (actual and similar); and

3. The actual or expected completion dates of those actions. (II)

E. The Home Health Agency shall ensure reports of Inspections or Investigations conducted by the Department, including the Agency response, are provided to the public upon written request with the redaction of the names of those individuals in the report. (II)

F. Inspection Fees. In accordance with S.C. Code Section 44-7-270, the Department may charge a fee for Inspections. The fee for initial and routine Inspections shall be two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) plus twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per county served. The fee for follow-up Inspections shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) plus twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per county served.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-77.200.202

Added by State Register Volume 46, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/27/2022.