Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 111 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH › Chapter 111-8 - HEALTHCARE FACILITY REGULATION › Subject 111-8-7 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR BIRTH CENTERS › Rule 111-8-7-.01 - Definitions

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
Unless a different meaning is required by the context, the
				  following terms as used in these rules and regulations shall have the meaning
				  hereinafter respectively ascribed to them:
(a) "Administrator" means the individual who
				is responsible for the day to day management of the center.
(b) "Birth Center", "Birthing Center" or
				"Center" means a facility, other than the laboring woman's legal residence,
				which admits persons for the purpose of childbearing and which facility has not
				been classified and licensed by the Department as a hospital.
(c) "Birth Room" means any room within a
				center which is provided as an area where births take place.
(d) "Certified Nurse Midwife" means an
				individual who is a Registered Nurse currently licensed in the State of Georgia
				and who is also certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives.
(e) "Department" means the Georgia Department
				of Community Health.
(f) "General
				Anesthesia" means any drug, element or other material which is administered to
				eliminate all sensation and which, when administered, is accompanied by a state
				of unconsciousness.
(g) "Governing
				Body" or "Management" means the board of directors, trustees, partnership,
				corporation, association, or person or group of persons who maintain and
				control the operation of the center and who are legally responsible for its
				operation.
(h) "Hospital" means any
				facility which meets the requirements of and is currently licensed as a
				hospital under the provisions of OCGA Chapter 31-7, Article 1, and is in
				compliance with all rules and regulation of the Department pertaining to
				Maternity, Obstetrics and Newborn services.
(i) "Local Anesthesia" means any drug which,
				when administered, provides localized temporary loss of sensation, but not
				accompanied by a state of unconsciousness.
(j) "Low Risk Patient" means an individual
				who:
1. is in general good health with
				uncomplicated prenatal course;
2.
				is participating in an ongoing prenatal care and education program;
3. has no major medical problems;
4. has no significant signs or symptoms of
				hypertension, toxemia, hydramnios, abruptio placenta, chorioamnionitis,
				malformed fetus, multiple gestation, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal
				meconium, fetal distress, alcoholism, or drug addiction, Rh or other blood
				group antigen sensitization;
5. has
				no history of fetal wastage or premature delivery;
6. has no previous significant obstetrical
				complications likely to recur, nor previous uterine wall surgery or Caesarean
				section;
7. has parity under six
				unless a justification for a variation is documented by clinical
				staff;
8. is not a nullipara of
				greater than thirty six years of age;
9. is not less than sixteen years of age at
				onset of pregnancy;
10. is
				appropriate for a setting where anesthesia is limited to local infiltration of
				the perineum, or a pudendal block, and analgesia is limited;
11. while in active labor:
(i) demonstrates no significant signs, or
				symptoms, or evidence of anemia, significant hypertension, placenta previa,
				malpositioned fetus or breech;
(ii)
				is progressing normally;
(iii) is
				without prolonged ruptured membranes; and
(iv) is not in premature labor.
12. is not postmature.