Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Inspections Division
Chapter 51 - Hospitals
Rule 481-51.1 - Definitions

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.