As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise
requires, the following definitions apply:
"Critical access hospital" means any
hospital located in a rural area and certified by the Iowa department of health
and human services as being a necessary provider of health care services to
residents of the area. A "critical access hospital" makes available 24-hour
emergency care, is a designated provider in a rural health network, and meets
the criteria specified pursuant to rule
481-51.27 (135B).
"Governing board" means the board of
trustees, the owner, or person(s) designated by the owner as the governing
authority. The governing board has supreme authority in the hospital and is
responsible for the management, control, and appointment of the medical
staff.
"Hospital" or "general
hospital" means an institution, place, building, or agency represented
and held out to the general public as ready, willing and able to furnish care,
accommodations, facilities and equipment for the diagnosis or treatment, over a
period exceeding 24 hours, of two or more nonrelated individuals suffering from
illness, injury, infirmity or deformity, or other physical or mental condition
for which medical, surgical and obstetrical care services are provided.
"Long-term acute care hospital" means any
hospital that has an average inpatient length of stay greater than 25 days and
that provides extended medical and rehabilitative care for patients who are
clinically complex and who may suffer from multiple acute or chronic
conditions. Services provided by a long-term acute care hospital include but
are not limited to comprehensive rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, head
trauma treatment, and pain management.
"Medical staff" means an organized body that
is composed of individuals appointed by the hospital governing board, that
operates under bylaws approved by the governing board and that is responsible
for the quality of medical care provided to patients by the hospital. All
members of the medical staff, one of whom shall be a licensed physician, shall
be licensed to practice in the state of Iowa.
"Premises" means any or all designated
portions of a building or structure, enclosures or places in the building, or
real estate when the distinct and clearly identifiable parts provide separate
care and services. "Premises" is not to be construed to permit the existence of
a separately licensed specialty hospital within the physical structure of a
general hospital.
"Rural emergency hospital" means the same as
defined by Iowa Code section
135B.1.
"Specialized hospital" means any hospital
devoted primarily to the specialized care and treatment of persons with chronic
or long-term illness, injury, or infirmity. "Specialized hospital" does not
include a specialty hospital.
"Specialty hospital" means the same as
defined by 42 CFR Section
411.351 as amended to November 7,
2023.
