50.39 Exemptions and enforcement.

(1) The requirements for hospitals apply to all facilities coming under the definition of a “hospital" which are not specifically exempt by ss. 50.32 to 50.39.

(2) The use of the title “hospital" to represent or identify any facility which does not meet the definition of a “hospital" as provided herein or is not subject to approval under ss. 50.32 to 50.39 is prohibited, except that institutions governed by s. 51.09 are exempt.

(3) Facilities governed by ss. 45.50, 48.62, 49.70, 49.72, 50.02, 51.09, and 252.10, juvenile correctional facilities as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), correctional institutions governed by the department of corrections under s. 301.02, and the offices and clinics of persons licensed to treat the sick under chs. 446, 447, and 448 are exempt from ss. 50.32 to 50.39. Sections 50.32 to 50.39 do not abridge the rights of the medical examining board, physical therapy examining board, podiatry affiliated credentialing board, dentistry examining board, pharmacy examining board, chiropractic examining board, and board of nursing in carrying out their statutory duties and responsibilities.

(4) All orders issued by the department pursuant to ss. 50.32 to 50.39 shall be enforced by the attorney general. The circuit court of Dane County shall have jurisdiction to enforce such orders by injunctional and other appropriate relief.

(5)

(a) The department may, in the event of an emergency condition that imminently threatens the health or safety of patients of a hospital, suspend new admissions to all or a part of the hospital until such time as the department decides that the hospital has removed or corrected the causes or deficiencies creating the emergency.

(b) Immediately upon the suspension of new admissions under par. (a), the department shall notify the hospital in writing. Notice of the suspension shall include a clear and concise statement of the causes or deficiencies creating the emergency condition on which the suspension is based and notice of the opportunity for a hearing on the suspension or on recision of the suspension under s. 227.44. If the hospital desires to contest the suspension, it shall provide written notice to the department of a request for a hearing within 10 days after receipt of the notice of suspension. If the hospital desires to contest failure by the department to rescind the suspension, it shall provide written notice to the department of a request for a hearing.

(6) In addition to any other remedies provided by law, any person suffering a pecuniary loss because of a violation of s. 50.36 (3) (a) may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover the amount of the pecuniary loss, together with costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorney fees.

History: 1971 c. 164; 1975 c. 39; 1975 c. 413 ss. 4, 18; 1975 c. 430 s. 80; Stats. 1975 s. 50.39; 1977 c. 203; 1979 c. 89, 221, 337, 355; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (1); 1989 a. 31, 37, 107; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 27, 30, 107; 1995 a. 27, 77; 1997 a. 175; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 22, 344; 2007 a. 97; 2009 a. 113, 149; 2011 a. 258; 2013 a. 236.