Question & AnswerQ&A (BHFS ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 70-A S. 2002, JANUARY 3, 2002)
The rules shall be known as the 'Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Registration, Licensure and Operation of Hospitals and Other Health Facilities in the Philippines.'
These rules are issued to implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 4226, also known as the Hospital Licensure Act, consistent with Executive Order No. 102.
Their purpose is to protect and promote the health of the people by ensuring the rights to quality health service appropriate to the level of care through regulation of hospitals and other health facilities.
The rules apply to all government and private hospitals and other health facilities in the Philippines.
The Department of Health, through the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services in the Office for Health Regulation, exercises the regulatory functions.
A hospital is defined as a health facility for diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals suffering from deformity, disease, illness, or injury, or in need of surgical, obstetrical, medical or nursing care, with installed bassinets or beds for 24-hour use or longer by patients.
Hospitals are classified as Government or Private, General or Special, and according to Service Capability as First, Second, or Third Level Referral Hospitals, Infirmary, Birthing Home, Acute-Chronic Psychiatric Care Facility, or Custodial Psychiatric Care Facility.
A license to operate issued by the Department of Health is required, and it must be secured after construction and completion of the facility.
Applicants must submit a letter of application, endorsement, notarized application form, sets of site development plans and floor plans signed by duly licensed architect or engineer, feasibility study, zoning or location clearance, company registration, enabling act or board resolution, among others.
They are liable to fines of not more than five hundred pesos (₱500) for the first offense and not more than one thousand pesos (₱1,000) for subsequent offenses. Each day of operation after the first conviction is considered a separate offense.
License to operate must be renewed every year by filing an application 90 days before expiry, submitting required documents, paying fees, and undergoing ocular inspection by the Center for Health Development.
They may inspect, monitor, investigate, suspend, revoke licenses, and close hospitals or health facilities operating without proper license or permit.
Penalties include fines up to ₱500 for first offense, ₱1,000 for subsequent offenses, suspension or revocation of license, and closure of the facility.
No, licenses and rights under the license cannot be assigned or transferred without the written consent of the Director of the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services.
They must notify the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services. In case of change of location, a new application for permit to construct, registration, and license to operate must be submitted.
Hospitals are inspected regularly; licensing inspections occur at initial application and renewal, though the renewal inspection may be done every other year. Monitoring is also conducted regularly by the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services.
Documents include a letter of application and request for inspection, endorsement to the Bureau, notarized application form, list of personnel, list of equipment/instruments, and photo album of the hospital premises.
Committees and teams include professionals such as physicians, architects or engineers, health physicists, nurses, pathologists or medical technologists, and pharmacists, with specific roles as chair or team leader.
Hospitals should have safe, accessible locations away from hazards, adequate space for various functions, sufficient lighting and ventilation, fire protection measures, hygiene and sanitation facilities, and zoning of areas for functional efficiency.