198.526.  Annual inspections — reevaluation of inspection process — disclosure of inspection schedule limited, penalty for violation. — 1.  The department of health and senior services shall inspect all facilities licensed by the department at least once each year.  Such inspections shall be conducted:

  (1)  Without the prior notification of the facility; and

  (2)  At times of the day, on dates and at intervals which do not permit facilities to anticipate such inspections.

  2.  The department shall annually reevaluate the inspection process to ensure the requirements of subsection 1 of this section are met.

  3.  Information regarding unannounced inspections shall be disclosed to employees of the department on a need-to-know basis only.  Any employee of the department who knowingly discloses the time of an unannounced inspection in violation of this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor and shall have his or her employment immediately terminated.