Frequently Asked Questions
- What facility types are on this site?
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The Office of Health Systems Oversight conducts inspections and investigations of state licensed agencies and facilities by ensuring they meet applicable standards. The facilities that you will be able to search for on this site are:
- Ambulatory Surgical Facility License
- Behavioral Health Agency & Branch Site
- Child Birth Center License
- Hospital Acute Care License
- Hospital Alcohol and Chemical Dependency License
- Hospital Psychiatric License
- In-Home Service Agency License
- Medical Test Site Categorized License
- Medical Test Site Certificate of Waiver License
- Medical Test Site Provider Performed Microscopic Procedures License
- Residential Treatment Facility License
*This site is still being expanded so not all facilities will be listed. If you are looking for specific information that is not currently posted, you may make a public records request with the department’s public disclosure unit using their online portal. If you have any questions or issues with using this site, please contact the public disclosure unit at (360) 236-8736 for assistance.
- What type of information is on this site?
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- Inspection reports: also known as “surveys or examinations,” this is the outcome of the department’s evaluation of a facility’s ability to demonstrate compliance with applicable statutes, rules, or regulations. In addition to state inspections, the department also conducts federal inspections on behalf of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Both state and federal inspection reports will be provided for the following facility types:
- Hospital Acute Care License
- Hospital Alcohol and Chemical Dependency License
- Hospital Psychiatric License
- In-Home Service Agency License with Home Health & Hospice Services
- Ambulatory Surgical Facility License
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Investigation reports: these reports are the outcome of reported concerns and complaints to the department about potential compliance with a statute, rule or regulation. In addition to state investigations, the department also conducts federal inspections on behalf of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Both state and federal investigation reports will be provided for the following facility types:
- Hospital Acute Care License
- Hospital Alcohol and Chemical Dependency License
- Hospital Psychiatric License
- In-Home Service Agency License with Home Health & Hospice Services
- Ambulatory Surgical Facility License
- Enforcement actions: notices that summarize an action taken by the department to compel a return to compliance. Examples of enforcement actions may include Civil fine, suspension, revocation, denial of an initial license, cease and desist for unlicensed practice, and impose conditions on a license limiting services and admissions.
- Inspection reports: also known as “surveys or examinations,” this is the outcome of the department’s evaluation of a facility’s ability to demonstrate compliance with applicable statutes, rules, or regulations. In addition to state inspections, the department also conducts federal inspections on behalf of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Both state and federal inspection reports will be provided for the following facility types:
- What types of documents are being posted on this site?
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- Statement of No Deficiencies: This report or letter is sent to the facility to inform them that we found the facility to be following the applicable statutes, rules or regulations.
- Statement of Deficiencies: This report outlines the findings of an inspection or investigation that violated any applicable statute, rule, or regulation.
- Plan of Correction: If a Statement of Deficiencies has been sent to the facility, they may be asked to develop and provide a plan of correction to remedy those findings to bring them back into compliance. Following this document will be the letter issued to the facility stating that the department approves their plan of correction.
- Enforcement actions: Formal enforcement documents include a Notice of Intent, Statement of Charges (for In-Home Service Agency Licenses only) and Agreed Orders. Example enforcement actions include a Civil fine, suspension, revocation, denial of an initial license, cease and desist for unlicensed practice, and impose conditions on a license limiting services and admissions.
- How do I read a Statement of Deficiency?
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- The top portion of the Statement of Deficiency contains demographic information regarding the facility the investigation or inspection had occurred.
- The left column of the form, depending on the version of the form used, will indicate the tag identifier and the language from the corresponding statute, rule, or regulation that was found to be in violation or non-compliance.
- The next column is the summary of the deficiency or observation findings that explains what was observed or reviewed that determined that a violation of those statutes, rules, or regulations had occurred.
- The third column of information is the Plan of Correction. This column is designed to allow the facility space to explain how they plan to remedy those findings and when they will be implemented or corrected by. You may also see this in the form of an excel format provided separately by the facility.
- How far back does the information go?
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Per RCW 43.70.790: Health care facility inspection and investigation availability. (wa.gov), states as resources allow, the department shall make health care facility inspection and investigation statements of deficiencies, plans of correction, notice[s] of acceptance of plans of correction, enforcement actions, and notices of resolution available to the public on the internet, starting with psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment facilities.
Facility reports for psychiatric hospital licenses and their associated behavioral health agency licenses may date from 2015 to current date.
For all other facilities, reports will be posted from 2020 to current date when RCW 43.70.790 went into effect.
* Please note: This site is still being expanded so not all facility reports may be listed. If you are looking for specific information that is not currently posted, you may make a public records request with the department’s Public Disclosure Unit using their online portal. If you have any questions or issues with using this site, please contact the Public Disclosure Unit at (360) 236-8736 for assistance.
- How often do you post updates?
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Facility reports are posted once the investigation, inspection, or enforcement action process is completed and become available.
If you are looking for specific information that is not currently posted, you may make a public records request with the department’s Public Disclosure Unit using their online portal. If you have any questions or issues with using this site, please contact the Public Disclosure Unit at (360) 236-8736 for assistance.
- What facility types are not on this site?
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Facilities that are not state licensed by the department but only federally certified by the department will not be on this site:
- Hospice Care Centers
- End Stage Renal Disease Facilities
- Rural Health Clinics
- Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
- Ambulatory Surgical Centers
- Outpatient Physical Therapy/Speech Pathology Services
- Portable X-Ray Suppliers
- Community Mental Health Centers
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
Other facilities not regulated by the department or regulated by Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS):
- DSHS (Nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and adult family homes)
- Schools
- Clinics or doctor offices