Section 340.1160  Inspections, Surveys, Evaluations, and Consultations

The terms survey, inspection, and evaluation are synonymous.  These terms refer to the overall examination of compliance with the Act and this Part.

a)         All facilities to which this Part applies shall be subject to and shall be deemed to have given consent to annual inspections, surveys or evaluations by properly identified personnel of the Department, State Fire Marshal's Office, State or federal department of Veterans' Affairs or by such other properly identified persons, including local health department staff, as the Department may designate.  An inspection, survey, or evaluation, other than an inspection of financial records, shall be conducted without prior notice to the facility.  A visit for the sole purpose of consultation may be announced.  (Section 3-212(a) of the Act)  The licensee, or person representing the licensee in the facility, shall provide to the representative of the Department access and entry to the premises or facility for obtaining information required to carry out the Act and this Part.  In addition, representatives of the Department shall have access to and may reproduce or photocopy at the Department's cost any books, records, and other documents maintained by the facility, the licensee or their representatives to the extent necessary to carry out the Act and this Part.  A facility may charge the Department for such photocopying at a rate determined by the facility not to exceed the rate in the Department's Freedom of Information rules (2 Ill. Adm. Code 1126).  (Section 3-213 of the Act)

b)         Consultation consists of providing advice or suggestions to the staff of a facility at their request relative to specific matters of the scope of regulation, methods of compliance with the Act or this Part, or general matters of patient care.