Edition 2: December 2023

As a result of a licensing inspection, if noncompliance is determined, the facility must submit an acceptable plan of correction (POC) to the Department by the specified date on the report of the visit. The POC must address the following for each cited deficiency:  

1. The actions taken to correct each cited deficiency 
2. The actions taken to prevent recurrences (actual and similar) 
3. The actual or expected completion dates of those actions. 

The link for submission: https://scdhec.gov/healthcare-quality/healthcare-facility-licensing/plan-correction-submissions  

What must be included in a Plan of Correction (POC)? 

-Due to the State within 10 calendar days of the receipt of the 2567. 

An acceptable plan of correction must address the following:   

1. Address how corrective action will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice; 
2. Address how the facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice; 
3. Address what measures will be put into place or systemic changes made to ensure that the deficient practice will not recur; 
4. Indicate how the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure that solutions are sustained; and 
5. Include dates when corrective action will be completed. The corrective action completion dates must be acceptable to the State. 

If the plan of correction is unacceptable for any reason, the State will notify the facility in writing. If the plan of correction is acceptable, the State will notify the facility by e-mail, etc. Facilities should be cautioned that they are ultimately accountable for their own compliance and that responsibility is not alleviated in cases where notification about the acceptability of their plan of correction is not made timely. The plan of correction will serve as the facility’s allegation of compliance.  

Nursing Home Certification POCs are submitted to cms2567@dhec.sc.gov.  

 Did you know that a nursing home must:

1. Post in a place readily accessible to residents and family members and legal representatives of residents, the results of the most recent survey of the facility.
2. Have reports with respect to any surveys, certifications, and complaint investigations made respecting the facility during the three preceding years, and any plan of correction in effect with respect to the facility, available for any individual to review upon request; and
3. Post notice of the availability of such reports in areas of the facility that are prominent and accessible to the public.
4. The facility shall not make available identifying information about complainants or residents.

Learn more about the above information.

Additional important information:

• Licensing reports of inspections or investigations conducted by the Department, including the facility response, shall be provided to the public upon written request with the redaction of the names of those individuals in the report as provided by applicable law. View the statute. 

The Division of Fire & Life Safety urges all facilities to decorate wisely.

Make sure decorations are non-combustible or treated fire retardant and electrical decorations, power strips and extension cords are in good condition and listed by UL, ETL or like agency. Also, ensure that electrical outlets and approved power strips are not overloaded and plugged directly into a wall outlet. Decorations should not interfere with exiting the building. Live trees are not allowed.

Contact the Division of Fire & Life Safety with any questions. 

Healthcare Quality

S.C. Dept. of Health & Environmental Control

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