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Administrative History

The Bureau of Hospital Services (BHS) is responsible for assuring the quality of outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room care provided by hospitals operating in New York State. BHS assesses hospital patient care quality; investigates patient complaints; collects and investigates reports of abnormal incidents; ensures compliance with report recommendations; monitors hospitals to ensure that deficiencies are rectified; and surveys and certifies hospitals for Medicare and Medicaid under the Social Security Act. Six regional offices carry out survey and other activities.

Article 28 of the Public Health Law requires DOH to conduct a comprehensive hospital survey when a hospital's ten-year operating certificate expires; or more frequently, if a hospital implements new procedures or services, or has significant problems. The survey assesses all aspects of patient care quality, as well as compliance with patient rights. Survey data comes from a sample of patient files, observation of services, and interviews. Data are used to produce a "statement of deficiencies" (SOD). The hospital submits a "plan of correction" in response to the SOD.