Wyoming Administrative Code › Agency 048 - Health, Department of › Sub-Agency 0026 - Land Commissioners, Board of › Chapter 6 - LICENSURE OF BIRTHING CENTER › Section 6-4 - Definitions

Current through July 13, 2024
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
				  and enforcement of these rules. Where the context in which words are used in
				  these rules indicates that such is the intent, words in the singular number
				  shall include the plural and vice versa. Throughout these rules gender pronouns
				  are used interchangeable. The drafters have attempted to utilize each gender
				  pronoun in equal numbers, in random distribution. Words in each gender shall
				  include individuals of the other gender.
For purpose of these rules, the following shall apply:
(a) Administration of Drugs - the act in
				which a single dose of a prescribed drug or biological is given to a patient by
				a licensed person in accordance with all laws and regulations governing such
				acts.
(b) Administrator - the
				person who is delegated the responsibility for interpreting, implementing, and
				applying policies and procedures established by the governing authority. He/she
				is delegated responsibility for the establishment of safe and effective
				administrative management, and the control and operation of the services
				provided.
(c) Bathing Facility - a
				bathtub or shower.
(d) Birthing
				Center - any health facility, place, professional office or institution which
				is not a hospital or in a hospital and where births are planned to occur away
				from the mother's residence following normal uncomplicated pregnancy.
(e) Birthing Room - a room and environment
				designed, equipped and arranged to provide for the care of a woman and newborn
				and to accommodate her support person(s) during the process of vaginal birth,
				(the three stages of labor and recovery of a woman and newborn).
(f) Certified Nurse Midwife - a registered
				professional nurse who performs advanced nursing acts and who may perform
				medical acts in collaboration with a licensed physician in such manner to
				assure quality and appropriateness of services rendered. The advanced
				practitioner of nursing performs such acts by reason of postgraduate education
				and additional nursing preparation which provides for the knowledge, judgment
				and skill beyond that required of a registered professional nurse and who has
				completed a nationally accredited educational program for preparation as an
				advanced practitioner of nursing or who has passed a national certification
				examination of a nationally recognized accrediting agency accepted by the
				Wyoming State Board of Nursing.
(g)
				Clinical Staff - the physicians and certified nurse midwives appointed by the
				governing authority to practice within the birthing center, governed by rules
				approved by the governing body, and licensed by the state of Wyoming.
(h) Commissioner - the State Survey Agent of
				the Department of Health, Office of Health Quality.
(i) Collaboration - to labor together, to
				work jointly with others, especially in an institutional endeavor.
(j) Division - the Department of Health,
				Office of Health Quality.
(k)
				Governing Body - an individual or group which is legally responsible for the
				operation, control and maintenance of the birthing center.
(l) Hospital - means an institution or a unit
				in an institution providing one (1) or more of the following to patients by or
				under the supervision of an organized medical staff.
(m) Lavatory - a plumbing fixture designed
				and equipped for handwashing purposes.
(n) Licensing Agency - means the Department
				of Health, Office of Health Quality.
(o) Low Risk - normal, uncomplicated prenatal
				course as determined by adequate prenatal care and prospects for a normal,
				uncomplicated birth as defined by reasonable and generally accepted criteria of
				maternal and fetal health. These services shall be limited to mothers not
				falling in the categories of conditions and needs listed in Appendix 1,
				"Limitation of Services."
(p) NEC -
				the National Electrical Code
(q)
				New Construction - any of the following started after promulgation of these
				rules and regulations:
(1) New buildings to
				be used as a birthing center;
(2)
				Addition(s) to an existing birthing center;
(3) Alteration(s) or modification(s) (other
				than strictly repairs for maintenance), costing more than $3,000 or that affect
				the structure or mechanical system.