South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

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• Accident/Incidents That Must Be Reported to Health Licensing
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• Community Residential Care Facility
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• General Information
• Health Facilities Construction
• Hearing Aid License
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• Lewis Blackman Hospital Patient Safety Act
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• Midwife
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• Nurse Licensure Compact Act and Licensed Facilities
• Organization Chart
• Our Offices - Location Map
• Provider-Wide Exceptions & Position Statements
• Regulations
• Renal Dialysis Information
• Reporting Accident/Incidents
• Sanctions
• Tattoo Facility

Health Licensing has the ultimate goal of ensuring that individuals receiving care and services from health care activities licensed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) are provided appropriate care and services in a manner and, in an environment that promotes their health, safety, and well-being. Supporting goals of the Division include:

• Promulgating standards regarding the establishing and maintaining of activities to best assure that the Division’s ultimate goal will be attained;
• Evaluating licensed and proposed activities through inspection and investigation based upon these established standards;
• Requiring activities to meet the established standards.

The Division offers assistance to activities in meeting the standards through consultation or, when necessary, takes enforcement actions when activities are unable or unwilling to meet the standards.

The Division is organized as follows:

Disabilities & Special Needs Program provides onsite reviews of Community Training Homes Models I and II, Supervised Living Models I and II, and Day Program Services. The reviews focus on safety, location environment, health services and staff ratios/qualifications. The outcomes of all reviews are reported to the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.
Community Care Oversight Section regulates Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCF) and Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFMR) programs. Their duties and responsibilities are to inspect and investigate health care activities, provide consultations as needed, and recommend enforcement actions as deemed appropriate.
Health Facility Oversight Section is divided into the Medical Management Office and The Facilities and Services Office. Their duties and responsibilities are to inspect and investigate health care activities, provide consultations as needed, and recommend enforcement actions as deemed appropriate.

• Medical Management Office manages Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Renal Dialysis Facilities, and Residential Treatment Facilities for Children and Adolescents.

• Facilities and Services Office manages Abortion Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Body Piercing Facility (Permitted, not licensed), Day Care Facilities for Adults, inpatient and outpatient Treatment Facilities that Treat Individuals for Psychoactive Substance Abuse or Dependence, Hearing Aid Specialists, Home Health Agencies, inpatient and outpatient Hospice Facilities, Freestanding or Mobile Technology and Tattoo facilities.

In addition, the Health Facility Oversight Section is responsible for Perinatal Oversight through inspection of hospitals that provide obstetrical services.  This area also oversees the licensing of Birthing Centers, Midwives and midwife apprentices.

Operations Support Section provides the administrative/logistical support and other resources required for the Division’s effective and efficient operation. They are responsible for processing licenses, collecting fees, and managing/safeguarding records.  The Section serves as the channeling agent for the FBI fingerprint card program regarding direct caregivers working with patients/residents in certain health care facilities or activities; provides assistance with processing freedom of information requests; oversees the complaint investigation program; maintains the database system for the Division with regard to licensed facilities, activities and licensed professionals; and oversees/manages content posted to the Division’s Web pages.

Policy Development Section develops policies, procedures, and plans that support the efforts of DHEC and the Division. It includes promulgating and reviewing all regulations and keeping the Division apprised of any legislative actions which may impact the Division. It also includes processing of requests for exceptions to the standards.

Assurance Office component ensures that established regulatory standards of health care activities are implemented appropriately. This includes focused consultations and enforcement conferences/enforcement actions (including suspensions, revocation, denial of license, and monetary penalties), only after it has been determined that preliminary efforts (inspections, consultations, investigations) have not achieved the desired results.
 

For additional information, contact: Division Director - Dennis Gibbs (803) 545-4370