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-.15 - Physical Plant and Operational Standards

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
The following minimum physical plant and operational
				  standards shall be met:
(a) The center
				shall provide sufficient space and equipment for patient and visitor waiting
				area, examination and treatment rooms, birth rooms, special care capability,
				and for staff and administrative areas. Birthrooms shall each have at least 100
				square feet of area, exclusive of bathroom, toilet or entry way, and be
				designed and located to prevent traffic through them to any other part of the
				center.
(b) The Department may deny
				the center a permit if it does not comply with Federal, State and local laws,
				codes, ordinances, and regulations which apply to its location, construction,
				maintenance and operation.
(c) It
				shall be the responsibility of the governing body to assure that the center is
				in a safe condition at all times, and that a fire inspection record is
				maintained on equipment, systems, and areas that may present a hazard to
				occupants.
(d) Fire and internal
				disaster drills shall be conducted at least quarterly and the time of the drill
				and results documented.
(e) In
				addition to requirements specified herein, and those required by local
				ordinances or regulations, the construction of a birth center shall meet the
				requirements of the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner, Chapter 120-3-3,* March
				1, 1979, and subsequent revisions thereto. Applications for licensure shall be
				accompanied by written evidence that these requirements have been
				met.
(f) Entrances for patients
				shall be connected to the public right-of-way by a hard-surfaced, unobstructed
				walkway in good repair. Access for handicapped individuals shall be provided at
				a minimum of one entrance. A hard-surfaced, unobstructed road or driveway for
				use by ambulances or other emergency vehicles shall run from at least one
				entrance of the building to the public right-of-way. The doorway of such
				entrance shall be immediately adjacent to the road or driveway. If such doorway
				is not on the same level as the road, a ramp shall provide a continuous,
				unobstructed plane to the entrance.
(g) Services provided in multi-story
				buildings shall be accessible by an elevator of adequate size to accommodate a
				standard wheeled litter patient and two attendants. Multi-story buildings will
				be considered to have met this requirement when patients are located only on
				ground level floors with outside exits. A stairway or ramp of adequate
				dimensions shall be available for transfer of patients in case of power
				failure.
*EDITORIAL NOTE:
A copy of said Chapter 120-3-3,
				  Rules and Regulations of the Safety Fire Commissioner, was filed with former
				  Chapter 290-5-41 and is on file with same in the Office of Secretary of
				  State.
(h) The birth center
				shall be constructed, equipped, and maintained to assure the safety of patients
				and personnel. The following requirements shall apply within the center:
1. Birth rooms shall be designed and located
				to prevent traffic through them to any other part of the center.
2. The walls and floors of birth rooms,
				examination rooms and staff dressing and scrub areas shall be of material that
				will permit frequent washing and cleaning.
3. Staff dressing rooms and scrub facilities
				shall be convenient to the birth rooms, and shall include a knee, elbow, wrist
				or foot operated sink soap dispenser and brushes.
4. Toilet and handwashing facilities shall be
				accessible to patients from the birth room. Convenient handwashing facilities
				shall be provided for both staff and patient and shall be provided with soap
				dispenser and individual or disposable towels. The use of common towels is
				prohibited
5. The center shall be
				arranged and organized in such a manner as to ensure the comfort, safety,
				hygiene, privacy and dignity of patients treated therein.
6. A clean up room for equipment shall be
				provided.
7. The center shall have
				an audible alarm system with control switches in all birth rooms which can be
				activated during an emergency.
8.
				The center shall have special care capability which includes but is not
				necessarily limited to the following, for both adults and infants:
				resuscitation equipment, intravenous solutions, drugs, oxygen, suction, infant
				stethoscope and transfer isolette. Such emergency equipment shall be provided
				on each floor on which patients are served.
9. Each birth room shall have an infant
				resuscitation tray with a laryngoscope, positive pressure bag and mask and
				endotracheal tubes.