This section identifies a hospital obligation, actions and responsibilities to comply with the hospital law and rules.

(1) Hospitals must:

(a) Comply with chapter 70.41 RCW and this chapter;

(b) Only set up inpatient beds within the licensed bed capacity approved by the department or the medicare provider agreement; and

(c) Receive approval for additional inpatient beds as required in chapter 70.38 RCW before exceeding department approved bed capacity.

(2) A hospital accredited by the Joint Commission or American Osteopathic Association must:

(a) Notify the department of an accreditation survey within two business days following completion of the survey; and

(b) Notify the department in writing of the accreditation decision and any changes in accreditation status within 30 calendar days of receiving the accreditation report.

(3) A hospital that wishes to discharge or transfer an inpatient to a 23-hour crisis relief center, as defined in RCW 71.24.025, that is not owned and operated by the hospital, must have a documented formal relationship, such as an agreement or memorandum of understanding, with the 23-hour crisis relief center the patient will be discharged or transferred to.