§ 31-7-171. Legislative Findings and Purpose
The General Assembly finds that there is an interest in and need for hospice care, an alternative form of health care, for terminally ill patients and their families. The General Assembly further finds that hospice care is an important innovation which should be recognized and encouraged. Recognizing that hospice programs respond to the need for […]
§ 31-7-172. Definitions
As used in this article, the term: “Advanced and progressive disease” means a serious life-threatening medical condition which is irreversible and which will continue indefinitely, where there is no reasonable hope of recovery, but where the patient’s medical prognosis is one in which there is a life expectancy of up to two years. This term […]
§ 31-7-173. License Required
No person, private or public organization, political subdivision, or other governmental agency may operate a hospice as defined in Code Section 31-7-172 without first obtaining license from the department. A license issued under this article is not assignable or transferable and must be separate from any existing license and is subject to suspension or revocation […]
§ 31-7-174. Application for License
Any person, organization, or agency desiring to operate a hospice shall file with the department an application on a form prescribed and furnished by the department. The application shall contain such reasonable information as the department may require related to the department’s licensure purpose and function. History. Code 1981, § 31-7-174 , enacted by Ga. […]
§ 31-7-175. Administration of Article
The administration of this article is vested in the Department of Community Health which shall: Prepare and furnish all forms necessary under the provisions of this article in relation to the application for licensure or renewals thereof; After consultation with appropriate public interest groups, adopt rules within the standards of this article necessary to effect […]
§ 31-7-176. Responsibilities of Provider of Hospice Care
The hospice care program shall coordinate its services with those of the patient’s primary or attending physicians, and may contract out for elements of services rendered to the patient and family unit, but not for the basic hospice care services, provided by physicians, attending nurses, and counselors. The hospice care team shall be responsible for […]
§ 31-7-176.1. Determination or Pronouncement of Death
When a patient who is terminally ill or whose death is anticipated and who is receiving hospice care from a licensed hospice dies, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a registered professional nurse licensed in this state and employed by such hospice at the time of apparent death of such person, in the absence […]
§ 31-7-177. Inpatient Beds
Since hospice care is primarily provided at home, licensure shall not be determined solely on the number of inpatient beds needed for service. Inpatient beds under contract to a hospice program may be used by the hospice when needed but may remain otherwise available to the inpatient unit at other times without a change in […]
§ 31-7-178. Inspection
The department shall periodically inspect each hospice for which a license has been issued to ensure that the licensee is providing quality care to its patients; provided, however, that a hospice shall be exempt from additional on-site licensure inspection if certified in accordance with federal regulations governing hospices. History. Code 1981, § 31-7-178 , enacted […]
§ 31-7-179. Certificate of Need Not Required
Where a hospice has obtained a license from the department, there shall be no requirement that the hospice obtain a certificate of need in order to provide any hospice care. History. Code 1981, § 31-7-179 , enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 1317, § 2.