(a) This Part is intended to promote the application of the most effective methods, including the use of evidence-based practices, to assist persons with mental illness achieve maximum self-sufficiency while assuring their safety and general well-being.

(b) The Mental Hygiene Law requires certification by the Commissioner of Mental Health for the operation of any part of a general hospital for the purpose of providing, on a residential (i.e., inpatient) basis, examination, diagnosis, care, treatment, rehabilitation or training to anyone with a disorder or disturbance in behavior, feeling, thinking or judgment so severe as to require care and treatment for mental illness. Such a facility may range in scale from a single ward or designated floor to an entire wing or nearby complex of buildings operated as part of a general hospital as defined in article 28 of the Public Health Law.

(c) This Part prescribes standards for certification. Certification does not confer eligibility to receive financial support from any governmental source.

(d) It is the intent of this Part to foster increased responsibility of psychiatric units to evaluate and review their own services. However, such units must prepare an adequate plan for services which addresses modalities of care, staff training, credentials and experience, sufficiency and appropriateness of staff, patient rights and admission and discharge criteria; and furthermore must establish organizational policies and procedures which will facilitate implementation of the plan.

(e) The provisions of section 580.8 of this Part set forth standards for the physical plant, or premises, of psychiatric inpatient units of general hospitals, and are intended to fully supersede any other regulations in this title previously utilized for this purpose.