§ 131E-78.  Adverse action on a license.

(a) The Department shall have the authority to deny, suspend, revoke, annul, withdraw, recall, cancel, or amend a license in any case when it finds a substantial failure to comply with the provisions of this Part or any rule promulgated under this Part.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2007-444, s. 1, effective August 23, 2007.

(b1) The Secretary may suspend the admission of any new patients to specific areas of a hospital or suspend specific services of a hospital licensed under this Article where the conditions of the hospital constitute a substantial failure to comply with the provisions of this Part or any rule adopted under this Part and are dangerous to the health or safety of the patients. When the Secretary suspends admissions or specific services, the suspension shall be limited to the smallest possible components of the hospital. The Department shall provide consultation to assist the hospital in correcting the conditions that led to the suspension in order that the suspension can be lifted at the earliest possible time after the Secretary is satisfied that conditions or circumstances merit removal of the suspension. In determining whether to suspend admissions or services under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider the following factors:

(1) The character and degree of impact of the conditions at the hospital on the health and safety of its patients.

(2) The character and degree of impact that the proposed suspension of admissions or services would have on the functionality of the hospital and the availability of services necessary to the community or to current patients of the hospital.

(3) Whether all other reasonable means for correcting the problem have been exhausted and no less restrictive alternative to suspension of admissions or service exists.

(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2007-444, s. 1, effective August 23, 2007.

(c1) A hospital may contest any adverse action on its license under this section in accordance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. (1947, c. 933, s. 6; 1973, c. 476, s. 152; c. 1090, s. 1; 1981, c. 614, ss. 16, 17; 1983, c. 775, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 1; 2007-444, s. 1.)