(20 ILCS 2310/2310-67)

Sec. 2310-67. Health care facility closure.

(a) In this Section:

"Closing" means ceasing all operations under an existing facility license that results in patients no longer being treated at the closed location. The term "closing" does not include a situation where a facility ceases operations at one location while contemporaneously establishing a replacement facility in another location.

"Health care facility" or "facility" means a public or private hospital, ambulatory surgical treatment center, nursing home, or kidney disease treatment center.

(b) A hospital must provide a written pre-closing statement to the Department no less than 90 days before permanently closing its facility. A health care facility other than a hospital must provide a written pre-closing statement to the Department no less than 90 days before permanently closing its facility. The statement must address all of the following:

(1) Whether arrangements have been made for the timely transfer of patient records, regardless of format, to another health care facility, or another secure facility. The name of the new location shall be published on the Department's website.

(2) Whether an agreement with the facility receiving the patient records has been made that provides for the following:

(A) Safe storage of patient records.

(B) Privacy of patient record information.

(C) Availability of patient records for release to individuals lawfully authorized to receive them.

(D) Periodic destruction of patient records for which the statutory retention period has expired.

(3) Whether the health care facility has arranged to provide notice to the public, at least 30 days before closing, of the planned closing of the facility. The notice must include an explanation of how to obtain copies of the patient records for those authorized to access those records. Notice may be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which the health care facility is located.

(4) In the case of a hospital, whether arrangements have been made for (i) the timely transfer of medical staff credentialing files and (ii) notification to physicians on the hospital's staff of the location of those files.

(5) Whether arrangements have been made for the transfer or disposal of hazardous and other waste, if any, in accordance with the Radiation Protection Act, the Environmental Protection Act, and other applicable laws and regulations.

(6) Whether arrangements have been made for the disposition of legend drugs, if any, in accordance with the Pharmacy Practice Act and other applicable laws and regulations.

(7) Whether arrangements have been made for securing the health care facility building or buildings and remaining medical equipment, if any.

(8) The intended date upon which business will cease.

(b) The Department shall require a closed health care facility, or its designee, to provide to the Department a written post-closing statement that (i) describes the completion of, and any changes to, the plan of closure set forth in the facility's pre-closing statement and (ii) states the actual date on which business ceased. The Department may verify that the arrangements or other provisions of the plan of closure have been implemented and shall notify appropriate State and federal authorities of the closure to ensure compliance with other applicable laws and regulations.

(Source: P.A. 96-596, eff. 8-18-09.)