- - QUICK LINKSCurrently selected
  - - Apply for a Maryland Clinical Lab License
    ANNOUNCEMENTS

Long Term Care Respiratory Care Units

Respiratory Care Units in Nursing Homes

A nursing home which holds a current and valid operating license may establish special care units with the approval of the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) and the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Facilities Management and Development. A respiratory care unit is a type of special care unit. A respiratory care unit must meet the general requirements established for all special care units in COMAR 10.07.02.23 and the requirements specific to respiratory care units in COMAR 10.07.02.24.

How does a nursing home request approval of a respiratory care unit?

To request approval from OHCQ for a respiratory care unit (RCU), the nursing home must meet all applicable requirements and complete the following steps:

Step 1: Notify OHCQ of its intention to establish an RCU. The notification may be made prior to developing and submitting the required documents for approval. To notify OHCQ, submit the Respiratory Care Unit Notification form.

Step 2: Notify the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Facilities Management and Development (OFMD) of its intention to establish an RCU.

Step 3: Submit the approval letter from the Office of Facilities Management and Development to OHCQ.

Step 4: If not completed in Step 1, inform Heather Reed at [email protected] of the date and time that the jurisdiction's emergency services, the primary hospital, and the hospital for diversion were notified of the planned respiratory care unit. Include the name, title, email, and phone number of the individuals notified. OHCQ will confirm that the notifications were completed.

Step 5: The nursing home must notify OHCQ that it is prepared for an on-site survey by sending an email to Heather Reed at [email protected].

Step 6: OHCQ will conduct unannounced onsite health and life safety code surveys to determine if the nursing home is in compliance with all applicable regulations for respiratory care units. These two surveys may be conducted concurrently or separately.

If OHCQ determines that the nursing home is not in compliance with all applicable requirements, OHCQ will issue a Statement of Deficiencies to the nursing home. After the nursing home regains compliance, OHCQ will issue a revised nursing home license that notes the approved “Respiratory Care Unit.” The nursing home license number remains the same.
If OHCQ determines that the nursing home is in compliance with all applicable requirements, OHCQ will issue a Notice of Compliance to the nursing home and a revised nursing home license that notes the approved “Respiratory Care Unit.” The nursing home license number remains the same.

Preparing for the Onsite Survey

To prepare for OHCQ's unannounced on-site survey of a respiratory care unit, a nursing homes may use OHCQ's surveyor tool as a checklist. Click on the link below to access the tool.

Respiratory Care Unit Surveyor Tool.docx