The primary purpose of this chapter is to promote safe and adequate care of individuals in hospitals through the development, establishment and enforcement of minimum hospital standards for maintenance and operation. To accomplish these purposes, this chapter provides for:

(1) The licensing and inspection of hospitals;

(2) The establishment of a Washington state hospital advisory council;

(3) The establishment by the department of standards, rules and regulations for the construction, maintenance and operation of hospitals;

(4) The enforcement by the department of the standards, rules, and regulations established under this chapter.

Savings—Effective date—1985 c 213: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.