The District of Columbia Department of Health licenses and certifies health care facilities for compliance with state and federal health and safety standards. Facilities include nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, dialysis centers, ambulatory surgical centers, intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded, and laboratories. The Health Care Facilities Division ("HCFD") is charged with conducting regular on-site surveys to ensure health, safety, sanitation, fire, and quality of care requirements. HCFD identifies deficiencies that may affect state licensure.

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