Title
Amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, the "Health Code," to add a section establishing requirements for
hospitals that anticipate
closing, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 6-400 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended as follows:
CHAPTER 6-400. MISCELLANEOUS STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
* * *
? 6-408.
Hospital Closings.
(1) A
hospital, as defined in 28 Pa. Code Chapter 101, that determines to close all or most of its units or departments ("a general
hospital closing"), or that determines to close an emergency treatment unit or department, a labor and delivery unit or department, or any other type of unit or department that the Board of Health determines, by regulation, might significantly impact the health and welfare of an affected community such that advanced notice and planning is warranted ("a significant impact unit
closing"), shall give written notice of an intent to close to the Department upon making such a determination, but in no event less than 180 days from the anticipated date of closure.
(2) A
hospital shall not close any such units or departments as part of a general
hospital closing or engage in a significant impact unit
closing except pursuant to a written Closure Plan that has been approved by the Commissioner in relevant part with respect to such unit or department. Approval shall be based on a determination that continuity of patient care and the health and safety needs of the community have been adequately addressed with respect to the approved portion of the Plan. Such approval may be conditioned on agreement by the
hospital to relevant conditions necessary to comply with that standard.
(3) An initial Closure Plan shall be provided to the Department no later than 120 days from the anticipated date of closure. Updates on the progress of implementation of the Plan, and any changes to any portion of the Plan, whether...
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