Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 19 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES › Division 30 - Division of Regulation and Licensure › Chapter 30 - Ambulatory Surgical Centers and Abortion Facilities › Section 19 CSR 30-30.100 - General Design and New Construction Standards for Birthing Centers

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: Section
				  197.225,
				  RSMo authorizes the Department of Health to establish physical standards for
				  birthing centers in order to provide care in a safe environment. Birthing
				  centers are considered ambulatory surgical centers as defined by section
				  197.200(1),
				   RSMo and are subject to licensure as
				  required by section
				  197.205,
				  RSMo. This rule establishes up-to-date construction requirements for new
				  birthing center construction to help ensure accessible, functional, fire-safe
				  and sanitary facilities. A new birthing center is one for which plans are
				  submitted to the Department of Health after the adoption of this rule for the
				  construction of a new facility, expansion or renovation of an existing birthing
				  center or the conversion of an existing facility not previously and
				  continuously licensed as a birthing center under Chapter 197,
				  RSMo.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The publication of the full text of
				  the material that the adopting agency has incorporated by reference in this
				  rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. Therefore, the full text of that
				  material will be made available to any interested person at both the Office of
				  the Secretary of State and the office of the adopting agency, pursuant to
				  section 536.031.4, RSMo. Such material will be provided at the cost established
				  by state law.
(1) Planning
				and Construction Procedures.
(A) Any birthing
				center constructed or renovated after the date of the adoption of this rule
				shall have plans and specifications prepared by an architect registered in
				Missouri. These plans and specifications shall be submitted to the department
				for review and approval prior to beginning of construction. The design and
				construction of birthing centers shall conform to the most stringent
				requirements of this rule and the local governing building code.
(B) The Department of Health shall be
				notified in writing within five (5) days after construction begins. If
				construction of the project is not started within one (1) year after the date
				of the approval of the plans and specifications, the plans and specifications
				shall be resubmitted to the Department of Health for its approval and shall be
				amended, if necessary, to comply with the then current rules before
				construction work begins.
(C)
				Requests for variations from requirements on physical facilities shall be
				requested in writing to the Department of Health and must contain information
				which demonstrates the providers ability to meet the intent or objectives of
				the rule through alternative methods. Approvals for deviations shall be
				requested in writing and both requests and approvals shall be made a part of
				the permanent Department of Health records for the birthing center.
(D) Where renovation or replacement work is
				done within an existing facility, all new work or additions, or both, shall
				comply with the applicable sections of this rule.
(E) Birthing centers which expand their
				capacity to four (4) or more birthing rooms must comply throughout the facility
				with the applicable requirements for birthing centers of this size or
				larger.
(F) References in this rule
				to, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), publications are those
				contained in the twelve (12)-volume 1994 Compilation of NFPA Codes, Standards,
				Recommended Practices and Guides. Where there are discrepancies between
				referenced NFPA publication requirements and this rule, the requirements of
				this rule shall apply.