Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
Hospitals provide 24-hour medical care for short-term illnesses and injuries.
Critical access hospitals provide care to people living in rural areas. This includes:
- Emergency care.
- Care for short-term illnesses.
- Help for people who need resources for rehabilitation or other care services after hospitalization.
Finding and choosing a hospital
Critical access hospital resources
Contact us
For questions about hospitals or critical access hospitals, contact the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA):
- Email dhswebmaildqa@dhs.wisconsin.gov
- Call 608-266-8481
Additional contacts
Compliance history
Nurse consultant, Wisconsin hospital rules and regulations
Denise Balboa, denise.balboa@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 920-979-6437
Pharmacy consultant
Douglas Englebert, douglas.englebert@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-266-5388
Life safety code (consultant)
David Soens, david.soens@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-220-0521
State licensure and Medicaid/Medicare certification
Thomas Rylander, thomas.rylander@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-266-7297
Swing bed (minimum data set or patient-driven payment model)
Heather Newton, dhsdqamdsoasis@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Survey inspection process
Sara Schmidt, sarajane.schmidt@dhs.wisconsin.gov, 608-261-6752
Transplant Programs
Transplant programs at hospitals provide people with organ transplants. Transplant programs are allowed only at hospitals with a Medicare provider agreement.
Fire reporting
All fires in a licensed facility in Wisconsin must be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) within 72 hours. To report a fire, complete and submit the Health Care Facility Fire Report, F-62500.
For questions regarding fire reporting, contact DQA Fire Authority:
- Email dhsdqaplanreview@dhs.wisconsin.gov
- Call 608-266-8016
Additional information is provided in DQA numbered memo 23-002 (PDF).
Related topics
- DQA Email Subscription Service
- Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) Interim Guidance (PDF) memo from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
- S&C 03-21 Adoption of New Fire Safety Requirements (PDF) and Federal Register Amended Fire Safety Standards, Final Rule (PDF) from CMS
- Survey Guide: Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, and Other Health Services Providers (PDF)