Institutions

What is an institution?

Facilities where individuals are provided room or board and for which a license to operate is required such as a hospital, nursing home, residential care facility, adult day service and local confinement. 

What is a residential care facility?

This is an establishment that provides room and board for 12 persons or fewer and for which a licence is required.

What is an adult day service facility?

This is an establishment that provides an organized program of services including a meal, for adults during the day in a community group setting and for which a license is required.  These establishments do not provide overnight accommodations.

What is a local confinement?

These include county jails or other confinement facility of persons awaiting trial or for those serving sentences.

Does environmental health issue operational permits to institutions?

No, The Division of Health Service Regulation  oversees medical, mental health and adult care facilities, emergency medical services, and local jails. They check to see that people receiving care in these facilities are safe and receive appropriate care. Environmental Health conducts the sanitation inspections of these facilities.

Residential Care Establishment Application

How often are sanitation inspections conducted?

1. Hospitals and Nursing Homes - inspected once between July 1st and December 31st and then once between January 1st and June 30th every fiscal year
2. Residential Care Facilities - inspected once between July 1st and June 30th every fiscal year
3. Adult Day Services - inspected once between July 1st and June 30th every fiscal year
4. Local Confinements - inspected once between July 1st and June 30th every fiscal year
    

What do environmental health specialist look at during a sanitation inspection?

Environmental Health Specialists look at:

• cleanliness and repair of floors, walls & ceilings
• cleanliness and adequacy of storage spaces and other areas
• adequacy of lighting
• cleanliness of ventilation
• adequacy of water supply
• solid waste disposal including medical waste
• drinking water facilities and ice handling
• toilet and lavatory facilities - cleanliness, good repair, properly supplied
• sewage disposal
• bathing facilities
• furnishing and patient contact items
• cleanliness of nourishment and activity kitchens
   

Do institutions receive a grade?

Hospitals and Nursing Homes receive a grade similar to that of food service establishments and a new grade card is posted where the public can readily view it at the end of every inspection.

Residential Care Facilities and Local Confinement Facilities receive a grade similar to that of child care facilities, however grade cards are not posted.

Adult Day Service Facilities also receive a grade similar to that of child care facilities and a grade card is posted where the public and readily view it at the end of every inspection.

Complaints?

If you have concerns about the sanitation at an institution in Rockingham County, speak to the administrator directly.  If you still have concerns, you may also call us at (336)342-8130 to register a complaint.