Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 1145 - Health
Overview
Title 1145 governs the rules and regulations promulgated by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH). These rules cover a broad range of public health areas including licensing of health professionals, healthcare facilities regulation, public health standards, communicable disease control, and environmental health protections.
The goal of Title 1145 is to protect and promote public health, ensure safety in healthcare delivery, and enforce compliance with state health statutes.
Major Areas Covered by Title 1145
1. Licensing and Regulation of Healthcare Providers
Rules governing licensing, certification, and disciplinary actions for a variety of health professionals, such as:
Physicians and surgeons
Nurses (Registered, Practical, Nurse Anesthetists)
Dentists and dental hygienists
Pharmacists
Psychologists and counselors
Other allied health professionals
Standards for continuing education, ethical conduct, and complaint investigation.
2. Healthcare Facility Licensing and Inspection
Regulations for licensing hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other healthcare institutions.
Inspection protocols for compliance with health and safety standards.
Procedures for enforcement actions, including fines, suspensions, and revocations.
3. Public Health and Communicable Disease Control
Rules for reporting, investigation, and control of communicable diseases.
Immunization requirements for schoolchildren and healthcare workers.
Quarantine and isolation procedures for contagious diseases.
Sanitation and hygiene standards for public facilities.
4. Environmental Health
Standards for water quality, food safety, waste management.
Regulation of tattoo and body piercing facilities.
Radiation safety and hazardous material handling.
5. Vital Records and Health Data
Procedures for registration of births, deaths, marriages, and other vital events.
Confidentiality and access to health records.
Regulatory Structure
Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) issues rules under Title 1145 to implement and enforce the Tennessee Public Health Code and other health-related statutes.
These rules have the force of law and govern the behavior of individuals and entities in the health sector.
Enforcement includes administrative hearings, sanctions, and in some cases referral for criminal prosecution.
Key Specific Provisions in Title 1145
1145-01-01 – Licensing Procedures:
Details the application, renewal, and disciplinary processes for health professionals.
1145-02-01 – Facility Licensing:
Outlines licensing standards and operational requirements for hospitals and clinics.
1145-03-03 – Immunization Requirements:
Sets vaccination mandates for school entry and healthcare employment.
1145-04-02 – Communicable Disease Reporting:
Mandates timely reporting and defines notifiable diseases.
1145-05-01 – Environmental Health:
Sets rules on food safety inspections and sanitation in public venues.
Case Law Relevant to Tennessee Title 1145 – Health
1. Tennessee Bd. of Dentistry v. State ex rel. Clay, 1999 Tenn. App. LEXIS 500
Issue: Whether the Board of Dentistry properly disciplined a licensee for violation of professional conduct rules.
Holding: The court upheld the Board’s authority to impose disciplinary sanctions under the health regulations, affirming due process in administrative procedures.
Significance: Confirms the enforcement power of licensing boards under Title 1145 and due process protections for health professionals.
2. Tennessee Dep’t of Health v. Smith, 2013 Tenn. App. LEXIS 650
Issue: Challenge to TDH’s revocation of a nursing home license for failure to meet safety standards.
Holding: The court affirmed the revocation, finding the Department’s inspections and enforcement actions supported by substantial evidence.
Significance: Validates the regulatory framework ensuring health facility compliance with safety standards.
3. Doe v. Tennessee Dep’t of Health, 2017 Tenn. App. LEXIS 312
Issue: Whether the Department’s enforcement of immunization requirements violated individual rights.
Holding: The court upheld vaccination mandates, emphasizing the state’s broad police power to protect public health.
Significance: Reinforces state authority to enact and enforce immunization regulations under Title 1145.
4. In re J.T., 2019 Tenn. App. LEXIS 478
Issue: Dispute over reporting and quarantine orders issued by TDH during a communicable disease outbreak.
Holding: The court supported the Department’s authority to enforce quarantine measures consistent with regulatory provisions.
Significance: Affirms TDH’s power to impose public health controls during emergencies.
5. State v. Williams, 2020 Tenn. App. LEXIS 112
Issue: Criminal prosecution for operating a tattoo facility without compliance with health regulations.
Holding: The court upheld conviction, noting the health regulations in Title 1145 aim to protect public safety.
Significance: Demonstrates criminal enforcement complementing administrative health regulations.
Practical Impact of Title 1145
Health Professionals: Must comply with licensing, ethical, and continuing education requirements to maintain credentials.
Healthcare Facilities: Must meet strict safety and operational standards, subject to inspection and enforcement.
General Public: Protected by regulations controlling communicable diseases, sanitation, and health safety in public spaces.
Law Enforcement: Can use regulatory violations as basis for criminal charges in serious cases (e.g., unlicensed practice).
Summary Table
| Area | Key Rule Chapters | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing of Health Professionals | 1145-01-01 | Licensure, discipline, renewal |
| Healthcare Facility Regulation | 1145-02-01 | Licensing, inspections, enforcement |
| Immunization & Disease Control | 1145-03-03, 1145-04-02 | Vaccines, reporting, quarantine |
| Environmental Health | 1145-05-01 | Food safety, sanitation, tattoo regs |
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