WSR 08-14-023

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH


[ Filed June 20, 2008, 2:54 p.m. , effective July 21, 2008 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: The rules establish new hospital construction requirements. This is accomplished through adopting most of the 2006 edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities as published by the American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 2006 [20006]. Some amendments to the guidelines were adopted in WAC 246-320-600.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 246-320-515, 246-320-525, 246-320-535, 246-320-545, 246-320-555, 246-320-565, 246-320-575, 246-320-585, 246-320-595, 246-320-605, 246-320-625, 246-320-635, 246-320-645, 246-320-655, 246-320-665, 246-320-675, 246-320-685, 246-320-695, 246-320-705, 246-320-715, 246-320-725, 246-320-735, 246-320-745, 246-320-755, 246-320-765, 246-320-775, 246-320-785, 246-320-795, 246-320-805, 246-320-815 and 246-320-99902; and amending WAC 246-320-010, 246-320-165, 246-320-265, 246-320-365, 246-320-405, 246-320-500, 246-320-505, and 246-320-990.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 70.41 RCW.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 08-05-013 on February 11, 2008.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: Initially, the proposed rules included an amendment to the AIA capacity guidelines stating "In new construction, the maximum number of beds per room shall be two." The department considered public comments after the first public hearing September 7, 2007, and decided to withdraw this amendment. Additional comments were received at the March 25, 2008, hearing. The department concluded to return to the amendment.

     In addition, the department clarified in WAC 246-320-500 (3)(a) that the amendments to the 2006 edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities are established in WAC 246-320-600.

     A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting John Hilger, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501-7852, phone (360) 236-2929, fax (360) 236-2901, e-mail john.hilger@doh.wa.gov.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 8, Repealed 31.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 8, Repealed 31.

     Date Adopted: June 20, 2008.

Mary C. Selecky

Secretary

OTS-9602.10


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-11-057, filed 5/17/04, effective 6/17/04)

WAC 246-320-010   Definitions.   For the purposes of this chapter and chapter 70.41 RCW, the following words and phrases will have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

     (1) "Abuse" means injury or sexual abuse of a patient under circumstances indicating the health, welfare, and safety of the patient is harmed. Person "legally responsible" will include a parent, guardian, or an individual to whom parental or guardian responsibility is delegated (e.g., teachers, providers of residential care and treatment, and providers of day care):

     (a) "Physical abuse" means damaging or potentially damaging nonaccidental acts or incidents which may result in bodily injury or death.

     (b) "Emotional abuse" means verbal behavior, harassment, or other actions which may result in emotional or behavioral problems, physical manifestations, disordered or delayed development.

     (2) (("Accredited" means approved by the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations (JCAHO).

     (3) "Administrative business day" means Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., exclusive of recognized state of Washington holidays.

     (4))) "Agent," when used in a reference to a medical order or a procedure for a treatment, means any power, principle, or substance, whether physical, chemical, or biological, capable of producing an effect upon the human body.

     (((5) "Airborne precaution room" means a room that is designed and equipped to care for patients known or suspected to be infected with microorganisms transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei (small-particle residue [five microns or smaller in size] of evaporated droplets containing microorganisms that remain suspended in the air and can be widely dispersed by air currents within a room or over a long distance).

     (6))) (3) "Alcoholism" means an illness characterized by lack of control as to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, or the consumption of alcoholic beverages to the extent an individual's health is substantially impaired or endangered, or his or her social or economic function is substantially disrupted.

     (((7))) (4) "Alteration"((:

     (a) "Alteration")) means any change, addition, ((remodel)) or modification ((in construction, or occupancy)) to an existing hospital or a portion of an existing hospital.

     (((b) "Major alteration" means any physical change within an existing hospital that changes the occupancy (as defined in state building code) and scope of service within a room or area, results in reconstruction to major portions of a floor or department, or requires revisions to building systems or services.

     (c))) "Minor alteration" means ((any physical change to an existing hospital which does not affect the structural integrity of the hospital building)) renovation that does not require an increase in capacity to structural, mechanical or electrical systems, which does not affect fire and life safety, and which does not add beds or facilities ((over those for which the hospital is)) in addition to that for which the hospital is currently licensed.

     (((8) "Ambulatory" means an individual physically and mentally capable of walking or traversing a normal path to safety, including the ascent and descent of stairs, without the physical assistance of another person.

     (9) "Area" means a portion of a room or building that is separated from other functions in the room or portions of the building by a physical barrier or adequate space.

     (10))) (5) "Assessment" means the: (a) Systematic collection and review of patient-specific data; (b) process established by a hospital for obtaining appropriate and necessary information about each individual seeking entry into a health care setting or service; and (c) information to match an individual's need with the appropriate setting and intervention.

     (((11))) (6) "Authentication" means the process used to verify that an entry is complete, accurate, and final.

     (((12) "Bathing facility" means a bathtub or shower, but does not include sitz bath or other fixtures designated primarily for therapy.

     (13) "Birthing room" or "labor-delivery-recovery (LDR) room" or "labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum (LDRP) room" means a room designed and equipped for the care of a woman, fetus, and newborn, and to accommodate her support people during the complete process of vaginal childbirth.

     (14))) (7) "Child" means an individual under the age of eighteen years.

     (((15) "Clean" when used in reference to a room, area, or facility means space or spaces and/or equipment for storage and handling of supplies and/or equipment which are in a sanitary or sterile condition.

     (16) "Communication system" means telephone, intercom, nurse call or wireless devices used by patients and staff to communicate.

     (17))) (8) "Critical care unit or service" means the specialized medical and nursing care provided to patients facing an immediate life-threatening illness or injury. The care is provided by multidisciplinary teams of highly experienced and skilled physicians, nurses, pharmacists or other allied health professionals who have the ability to interpret complex therapeutic and diagnostic information and access to highly sophisticated equipment.

     (((18))) (9) "Department" means the Washington state department of health.

     (((19) "Detoxification" means the process of ridding the body of the transitory effects of intoxication and any associated physiological withdrawal reaction.

     (20) "Dialysis facility" means a separate physical and functional nursing unit of the hospital serving patients receiving renal dialysis.

     (21) "Dialysis station" means an area designed, equipped, and staffed to provide dialysis services for one patient.

     (22))) (10) "Dietitian" means an individual meeting the eligibility requirements for active membership in the American Dietetic Association described in Directory of Dietetic Programs Accredited and Approved, American Dietetic Association, edition 100, 1980.

     (((23) "Direct access" means access to one room from another room or area without going through an intervening room or into a corridor.

     (24))) (11) "Double-checking" means verification of patient identity, agent to be administered, route, quantity, rate, time, and interval of administration by two persons legally qualified to administer such agent prior to administration of the agent.

     (((25))) (12) "Drugs" as defined in RCW 18.64.011(3) means:

     (a) Articles recognized in the official U.S. pharmacopoeia or the official homeopathic pharmacopoeia of the United States;

     (b) Substances intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals;

     (c) Substances (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals; or

     (d) Substances intended for use as a component of any substances specified in (a), (b), or (c) of this subsection but not including devices or component parts or accessories.

     (((26) "Drug dispensing" means an act entailing the interpretation of an order for a drug or biological and, pursuant to that order, proper selection, measuring, labeling, packaging, and issuance of the drug for a patient or for a service unit of the facility.

     (27) "Easily cleanable" means readily accessible and made with materials and finishes fabricated to permit complete removal of residue or dirt by accepted cleaning methods.

     (28) "Electrical receptacle outlet" means an outlet where one or more electrical receptacles are installed.

     (29))) (13) "Emergency care to victims of sexual assault" means medical examinations, procedures, and services provided by a hospital emergency room to a victim of sexual assault following an alleged sexual assault.

     (((30))) (14) "Emergency contraception" means any health care treatment approved by the food and drug administration that prevents pregnancy, including, but not limited to, administering two increased doses of certain oral contraceptive pills within seventy-two hours of sexual contact.

     (((31))) (15) "Emergency triage" means the immediate patient assessment by a registered nurse, physician, or physician assistant to determine the nature and urgency of the person's medical need and the time and place care and treatment is to be given.

     (((32) "Facilities" means a room or area and equipment serving a specific function.

     (33) "Failure or major malfunction" means an essential environmental, life safety or patient care function, equipment or process ceasing operation or capability of working as intended and any back up, reserve or replacement to the function, equipment or process has not occurred or is nonexistent. Such as, but not limited to, the:

     (a) Normal electrical power ceases and the emergency generator(s) do not function;

     (b) Ventilation system ceases to operate or reverses air flow and causes contaminated air to circulate into areas where it was not designated or intended to flow; or

     (c) Potable water in the hospital becomes contaminated so it cannot be used.

     (34))) (16) "Family" means individuals important to and designated by a patient who need not be relatives.

     (((35) "Faucet controls" means wrist, knee, or foot control of the water supply:

     (a) "Wrist control" means water supply is controlled by handles not less than four and one-half inches overall horizontal length designed and installed to be operated by the wrists;

     (b) "Knee control" means the water supply is controlled through a mixing valve designed and installed to be operated by the knee;

     (c) "Foot control" means the water supply is controlled through a mixing valve designed and installed to be operated by the foot.

     (36))) (17) "Governing authority/body" means the person or persons responsible for establishing the purposes and policies of the hospital.

     (((37) "Grade" means the level of the ground adjacent to the building. The ground must be level or slope downward for a distance of at least ten feet away from the wall of the building. From there the ground may slope upward not greater than an average of one foot vertical to two feet horizontal within a distance of eighteen feet from the building.

     (38) "He, him, his, or himself" means an individual of either sex, male or female, and does not mean preference for nor exclude reference to either sex.

     (39))) (18) "High-risk infant" means an infant, regardless of gestational age or birth weight, whose extrauterine existence is compromised by a number of factors, prenatal, natal, or postnatal needing special medical or nursing care.

     (((40))) (19) "Hospital" means any institution, place, building, or agency providing accommodations, facilities, and services over a continuous period of twenty-four hours or more, for observation, diagnosis, or care of two or more individuals not related to the operator who are suffering from illness, injury, deformity, or abnormality, or from any other condition for which obstetrical, medical, or surgical services would be appropriate for care or diagnosis. "Hospital" as used in this chapter does not include:

     (a) Hotels, or similar places furnishing only food and lodging, or simply domiciliary care;

     (b) Clinics, or physicians' offices where patients are not regularly kept as bed patients for twenty-four hours or more;

     (c) Nursing homes, as defined and which come within the scope of chapter 18.51 RCW;

     (d) Birthing centers, which come within the scope of chapter 18.46 RCW;

     (e) Psychiatric or alcoholism hospitals, which come within the scope of chapter 71.12 RCW; nor

     (f) Any other hospital or institution specifically intended for use in the diagnosis and care of those suffering from mental illness, mental retardation, convulsive disorders, or other abnormal mental conditions.

     (g) Furthermore, nothing in this chapter will be construed as authorizing the supervision, regulation, or control of the remedial care or treatment of residents or patients in any hospital conducted for those who rely primarily upon treatment by prayer or spiritual means in accordance with the creed or tenets of any well-recognized church or religious denominations.

     (((41))) (20) "Individualized treatment plan" means a written statement of care planned for a patient based upon assessment of the patient's developmental, biological, psychological, and social strengths and problems, and including:

     (a) Treatment goals, with stipulated time frames;

     (b) Specific services to be utilized;

     (c) Designation of individuals responsible for specific service to be provided;

     (d) Discharge criteria with estimated time frames; and

     (e) Participation of the patient and the patient's designee as appropriate.

     (((42))) (21) "Infant" means a baby or very young child up to one year of age.

     (((43) "Infant station" means a space for a bassinet, incubator, or equivalent, including support equipment used for the care of an individual infant.

     (44) "Inpatient" means a patient receiving services that require admission to a hospital for twenty-four hours or more.

     (45) "Intermediate care nursery" means an area designed, organized, staffed, and equipped to provide constant care and treatment for mild to moderately ill infants not requiring neonatal intensive care, but requiring physical support and treatment beyond support required for a normal neonate and may include the following:

     (a) Electronic cardiorespiratory monitoring;

     (b) Gavage feedings;

     (c) Parenteral therapy for administration of drugs; and

     (d) Respiratory therapy with intermittent mechanical ventilation not to exceed a continuous period of twenty-four hours for stabilization when trained staff are available.

     (46) "Interventional service facility" means a facility other than operating room (OR) where invasive procedures are performed.

     (47))) (22) "Invasive procedure" means a procedure involving puncture or incision of the skin or insertion of an instrument or foreign material into the body including, but not limited to, percutaneous aspirations, biopsies, cardiac and vascular catheterizations, endoscopies, angioplasties, and implantations. Excluded are venipuncture and intravenous therapy.

     (((48) "JCAHO" means joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations.

     (49) "Labor room" means a room in which an obstetric patient is placed during the first stage of labor, prior to being taken to the delivery room.

     (50) "Labor-delivery-recovery (LDR) room," "birthing room," or "labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum (LDRP) room" means a room designed and equipped for the care of a woman, fetus, and newborn and to accommodate her support people during the complete process of vaginal childbirth.

     (51))) (23) "Licensed practical nurse," abbreviated LPN, means an individual licensed under provisions of chapter 18.78 RCW.

     (((52) "Long-term care unit" means a group of beds for the accommodation of patients who, because of chronic illness or physical infirmities, require skilled nursing care and related medical services but are not acutely ill and not in need of the highly technical or specialized services ordinarily a part of hospital care.

     (53) "Maintainable" means able to preserve or keep in an existing condition.

     (54))) (24) "Maintenance" means the work of keeping something in suitable condition.

     (((55) "Major permanent loss of function" means sensory, motor, physiological, or intellectual impairment not present on admission requiring continued treatment or lifestyle change. When this condition cannot be immediately determined, the designation will be made when the patient is discharged with continued major loss of function, or two weeks have elapsed with persistent major loss of function, whichever occurs first.

     (56))) (25) "Medical staff" means physicians and may include other practitioners appointed by the governing authority to practice within the parameters of the governing authority and medical staff bylaws.

     (((57))) (26) "Medication" means any substance, other than food or devices, intended for use in diagnosing, curing, mitigating, treating, or preventing disease.

     (((58) "Movable equipment" means equipment not built-in, fixed, or attached to the building.

     (59) "Must" means compliance is mandatory.

     (60))) (27) "Multidisciplinary treatment team" means a group of individuals from the various disciplines and clinical services who assess, plan, implement, and evaluate treatment for patients.

     (((61))) (28) "Neglect" means mistreatment or maltreatment; an act or omission evincing; a serious disregard of consequences of a magnitude constituting a clear and present danger to an individual patient's health, welfare, and safety.

     (a) "Physical neglect" means physical or material deprivation, such as lack of medical care, lack of supervision necessary for patient level of development, inadequate food, clothing, or cleanliness.

     (b) "Emotional neglect" means acts such as rejection, lack of stimulation, or other acts of commission or omission which may result in emotional or behavioral problems, physical manifestations, and disordered development.

     (((62))) (29) "Neonate" or "newborn" means a newly born infant under twenty-eight days of age.

     (((63) "Neonatal intensive care nursery" means an area designed, organized, equipped, and staffed for constant nursing, medical care, and treatment of high-risk infants who may require:

     (a) Continuous ventilatory support, twenty-four hours per day;

     (b) Intravenous fluids or parenteral nutrition;

     (c) Preoperative and postoperative monitoring when anesthetic other than local is administered;

     (d) Cardiopulmonary or other life support on a continuing basis.

     (64))) (30) "Neonatologist" means a pediatrician who is board certified in neonatal-perinatal medicine or board eligible in neonatal-perinatal medicine, provided the period of eligibility does not exceed three years, as defined and described in Directory of Residency Training Programs by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, American Medical Association, 1998 or the American Osteopathic Association Yearbook and Directory, 1998.

     (((65) "Newborn nursery care" means the provision of nursing and medical services described by the hospital and appropriate for well and convalescing infants including supportive care, ongoing physical assessment, and resuscitation.

     (66))) (31) "New construction" means any of the following:

     (a) New ((buildings)) facilities to be licensed as a hospital;

     (b) ((Additions to an existing hospital;

     (c) Conversion of an existing building or portions thereof for use as a hospital;

     (d))) Alterations ((to an existing hospital)).

     (((67))) (32) "Nonambulatory" means an individual physically or mentally unable to walk or traverse a normal path to safety without the physical assistance of another.

     (((68) "Notify" means to provide notice of required information to the department by the following methods, unless specifically stated otherwise in this chapter:

     (a) Telephone;

     (b) Facsimile;

     (c) Written correspondence; or

     (d) In person.

     (69) "Nursing unit" means a separate physical and functional unit of the hospital including a group of patient rooms, with ancillary, administrative, and service facilities necessary for nursing service to the occupants of these patient rooms.

     (70) "Nutritional assessment" means an assessment of a patient's nutritional status conducted by a registered dietitian.

     (71) "Nutritional risk screen" means a part of the initial assessment that can be conducted by any trained member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.

     (72) "Observation room" means a room for close nursing observation and care of one or more outpatients for a period of less than twenty-four consecutive hours.

     (73) "Obstetrical area" means the portions or units of the hospital designated or designed for care and treatment of women during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods, and/or areas designed as nurseries for care of newborns.

     (74))) (33) "Operating room (OR)" means a room within the surgical department intended for invasive and noninvasive procedures requiring anesthesia.

     (((75) "Outpatient" means a patient receiving services that generally do not require admission to a hospital bed for twenty-four hours or more.

     (76) "Outpatient services" means services that do not require admission to a hospital for twenty-four hours or more.

     (77))) (34) "Patient" means an individual receiving (or having received) preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance, or palliative health services at the hospital.

     (((78) "Patient care areas" means all nursing service areas of the hospital where direct patient care is rendered and all other areas of the hospital where diagnostic or treatment procedures are performed directly upon a patient.

     (79) "Patient related technology" means equipment used in a patient care environment to support patient treatment and diagnosis, such as electrical, battery and pneumatic powered technology as well as support equipment and disposables.

     (80))) (35) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, or joint stock association, and the legal successor thereof.

     (((81))) (36) "Pharmacist" means an individual licensed by the state board of pharmacy to engage in the practice of pharmacy under the provisions of chapter 18.64 RCW as now or hereafter amended.

     (((82))) (37) "Pharmacy" means the central area in a hospital where drugs are stored and are issued to hospital departments or where prescriptions are filled.

     (((83))) (38) "Physician" means an individual licensed under provisions of chapter 18.71 RCW, Physicians, chapter 18.22 RCW, Podiatric medicine and surgery, or chapter 18.57 RCW, Osteopathy -- Osteopathic medicine and surgery.

     (((84))) (39) "Prescription" means an order for drugs or devices issued by a practitioner duly authorized by law or rule in the state of Washington to prescribe drugs or devices in the course of his or her professional practice for a legitimate medical purpose.

     (((85) "Pressure relationships" of air to adjacent areas means:

     (a) Positive (P) pressure is present in a room when the:

     (i) Room sustains a minimum of 0.001 inches of H20 pressure differential with the adjacent area, the room doors are closed, and air is flowing out of the room; or

     (ii) Sum of the air flow at the supply air outlets (in CFM) exceeds the sum of the air flow at the exhaust/return air outlets by at least 70 CFM with the room doors and windows closed;

     (b) Negative (N) pressure is present in a room when the:

     (i) Room sustains a minimum of 0.001 inches of H20 pressure differential with the adjacent area, the room doors are closed, and air is flowing into the room; or

     (ii) Sum of the air flow at the exhaust/return air outlets (in CFM) exceeds the sum of the air flow at the supply air outlets by at least 70 CFM with the room doors and windows closed;

     (c) Equal (E) pressure is present in a room when the:

     (i) Room sustains a pressure differential range of plus or minus 0.0002 inches of H20 with the adjacent area, and the room doors are closed; or

     (ii) Sum of the air flow at the supply air outlets (in CFM) is within ten percent of the sum of the air flow at the exhaust/return air outlets with the room doors and windows closed.

     (86))) (40) "Procedure" means a particular course of action to relieve pain, diagnose, cure, improve, or treat a patient's condition ((usually requiring specialized equipment)).

     (((87) "Protective precaution room" means a room designed and equipped for care of patients with a high risk for contracting infections, such as bone marrow and organ transplant patients.

     (88))) (41) "Protocols" and "standing order" mean written descriptions of actions and interventions for implementation by designated hospital personnel under defined circumstances and authenticated by a legally authorized person under hospital policy and procedure.

     (((89))) (42) "Psychiatric service" means the treatment of patients pertinent to the psychiatric diagnosis whether or not the hospital maintains a psychiatric unit.

     (((90) "Psychiatric unit" means a separate area of the hospital specifically reserved for the care of psychiatric patients (a part of which may be unlocked and a part locked), as distinguished from "seclusion rooms" or "security rooms" as defined in this section.

     (91) "Reassessment" means ongoing data collection comparing the most recent data with the data collected on the previous assessment(s).

     (92))) (43) "Recovery unit" means a special physical and functional area for the segregation, concentration, and close or continuous nursing observation and care of patients for a period of less than twenty-four hours immediately following anesthesia, obstetrical delivery, surgery, or other diagnostic or treatment procedures which may produce shock, respiratory obstruction or depression, or other serious states.

     (((93))) (44) "Registered nurse" means an individual licensed under the provisions of chapter 18.79 RCW and practicing in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     (((94) "Remodel" means the reshaping or reconstruction of a part or area of the hospital.

     (95))) (45) "Restraint" means any method used to prevent or limit free body movement including, but not limited to, involuntary confinement, an apparatus, or a drug given not required to treat a patient's medical symptoms.

     (((96))) (46) "Room" means a space set apart by floor-to-ceiling partitions on all sides with proper access to a corridor and with all openings provided with doors or windows.

     (((97))) (47) "Seclusion room" means a small, secure room specifically designed and organized for temporary placement, care, and observation of one patient and for an environment with minimal sensory stimuli, maximum security and protection, and visual observation of the patient by authorized personnel and staff. Doors of seclusion rooms are provided with staff-controlled locks.

     (((98) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health.

     (99) "Self-administration of drugs" means a patient administering or taking his or her own drugs from properly labeled containers: Provided, That the facility maintains the responsibility for seeing the drugs are used correctly and the patient is responding appropriately.

     (100) "Sensitive area" means a room used for surgery, transplant, obstetrical delivery, nursery, post-anesthesia recovery, special procedures where invasive techniques are used, emergency or critical care including, but not limited to, intensive and cardiac care or areas where immunosuppressed inpatients are located and central supply room.

     (101))) (48) "Sexual assault" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.125.030.

     (((102) "Sinks":

     (a) "Clinic service sink (siphon jet)" means a plumbing fixture of adequate size and proper design for waste disposal with siphon jet or similar action sufficient to flush solid matter of at least two and one-eighth inch diameter.

     (b) "Scrub sink" means a plumbing fixture of adequate size and proper design for thorough washing of hands and arms, equipped with knee, foot, electronic, or equivalent control, and gooseneck spout without aerators including brush and handsfree soap dispenser.

     (c) "Service sink" means a plumbing fixture of adequate size and proper design for filling and emptying mop buckets.

     (d) "Handsfree handwash sink" means a plumbing fixture of adequate size and proper design to minimize splash and splatter and permit handwashing without touching fixtures, with adjacent soap dispenser with foot control or equivalent and single service hand drying device.

     (e) "Handwash sink" means a plumbing fixture of adequate size and proper design for washing hands, with adjacent soap dispenser and single service hand drying device.

     (103) "Soiled" (when used in reference to a room, area, or facility) means space and equipment for collection or cleaning of used or contaminated supplies and equipment or collection or disposal of wastes.

     (104) "Special procedure" means a distinct and/or special diagnostic exam or treatment, such as, but not limited to, endoscopy, angiography, and cardiac catheterization.

     (105))) (49) "Staff" means paid employees, leased or contracted persons, students, and volunteers.

     (((106) "Stretcher" means a four-wheeled cart designed to serve as a litter for the transport of an ill or injured individual in a horizontal or recumbent position.

     (107))) (50) "Surgical procedure" means any manual or operative procedure performed upon the body of a living human being for the purpose of preserving health, diagnosing or curing disease, repairing injury, correcting deformity or defect, prolonging life or relieving suffering, and involving any of the following:

     (a) Incision, excision, or curettage of tissue or an organ;

     (b) Suture or other repair of tissue or an organ including a closed as well as an open reduction of a fracture;

     (c) Extraction of tissue including the premature extraction of the products of conception from the uterus; or

     (d) An endoscopic examination with use of anesthetizing agents.

     (((108))) (51) "Surrogate decision-maker" means an individual appointed to act on behalf of another. Surrogates make decisions only when an individual is without capacity or has given permission to involve others.

     (((109) "Through traffic" means traffic for which the origin and destination are outside the room or area serving as a passageway.

     (110) "Toilet" means a room containing at least one water closet.

     (111))) (52) "Treatment" means the care and management of a patient to combat, improve, or prevent a disease, disorder, or injury, and may be:

     (a) Pharmacologic, surgical, or supportive;

     (b) Specific for a disorder; or

     (c) Symptomatic to relieve symptoms without effecting a cure.

     (((112) "Treatment room" means a hospital room for medical, surgical, dental, or psychiatric management of a patient.

     (113))) (53) "Victim of sexual assault" means a person who alleges or is alleged to have been sexually assaulted and who presents as a patient.

     (((114) "Water closet" means a plumbing fixture fitted with a seat and device for flushing the bowl of the fixture with water.

     (115) "Will" means compliance is mandatory.

     (116) "Window" means a glazed opening in an exterior wall.

     (a) "Maximum security window" means a window that can only be opened by keys or tools under the control of personnel. The operation will be restricted to prohibit escape or suicide. Where glass fragments may create a hazard, safety glazing and other appropriate security features will be incorporated. Approved transparent materials other than glass may be used.

     (b) "Relite" means a glazed opening in an interior partition between a corridor and a room or between two rooms to permit viewing.

     (c) "Security window" means a window designed to inhibit exit, entry, and injury to a patient, incorporating approved, safe transparent material.

     (117) "Work surface" means a flat hard horizontal surface such as a table, desk, counter, or cart surface.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.350 and 70.41.030. 04-11-057, § 246-320-010, filed 5/17/04, effective 6/17/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.030 and 43.70.040. 99-04-052, § 246-320-010, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-04-052, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99)

WAC 246-320-165   Management of human resources.   The purpose of the management of human resources section is to ensure the hospital provides competent staff consistent with scope of services.

     Hospitals will:

     (1) Establish, review, and update written job descriptions for each job classification;

     (2) Conduct periodic staff performance reviews;

     (3) Ensure qualified and competent staff are available to operate each department;

     (4) Ensure supervision of staff;

     (5) Document verification of current staff licensure, certification, or registration;

     (6) Complete tuberculosis screening for new and current employees consistent with the ((current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as defined by WAC 246-320-99902(15))) Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Healthcare Facilities, 2005. Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Volume 54, December 30, 2005;

     (7) Provide orientation to the work environment;

     (8) Provide information on infection control to staff upon hire and annually which includes:

     (a) Education on general infection control in accordance with WAC 296-62-08001 bloodborne pathogens exposure control; and

     (b) General and department specific infection control measures related to the work of each department in which the staff works; and

     (9) Establish and implement an education plan that verifies or arranges for the appropriate education and training of staff on prevention, transmission, and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) consistent with RCW 70.24.310.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.030 and 43.70.040. 99-04-052, § 246-320-165, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-04-052, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99)

WAC 246-320-265   Infection control program.   The purpose of the infection control program section is to identify and reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting nosocomial infections and communicable diseases between patients, employees, medical staff, volunteers, and visitors.

     Hospitals must develop and implement an infection control program and will:

     (1) Designate a member or members of the staff to:

     (a) Oversee, review, evaluate, and approve the activities of the infection control program and the infection control aspects of appropriate hospital policies and procedures; and

     (b) Provide consultation;

     (2) Assure staff managing the infection control program have:

     (a) Documented evidence of a minimum of two years experience in a health related field; and

     (b) Training in the principles and practices of infection control;

     (3) Adopt and implement written policies and procedures consistent with the published guidelines of the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) regarding infection control in hospitals, to guide the staff. Where appropriate, policies and procedures are specific to the service area and address:

     (a) Receipt, use, disposal, processing, or reuse of hospital and nonhospital equipment to assure prevention of disease transmission;

     (b) Prevention of cross contamination between soiled and clean items during sorting, processing, transporting, and storage;

     (c) Environmental management and housekeeping functions, including:

     (i) The process for approval of disinfectants, sanitation procedures, and equipment;

     (ii) Cleaning areas used for surgical procedures as appropriate, before, between, and after cases;

     (iii) General hospital-wide daily and periodic cleaning; and

     (iv) A laundry and linen system that will ensure:

     (A) The supply of linen/laundry is adequate to meet the needs of the hospital and patients; and

     (B) Standards used for processing linens assure that clean linen/laundry is free of toxic residues and within industry standard pH range(s)((; and

     (C) Processing and storage in accordance with WAC 246-320-595(3)));

     (d) Occupational health consistent with current practice;

     (e) Attire;

     (f) Traffic patterns;

     (g) Antisepsis and handwashing;

     (h) Scrub technique and surgical preparation;

     (i) Biohazardous waste management in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations;

     (j) Barrier and transmission precautions; and

     (k) Pharmacy and therapeutics; and

     (4) Establish and implement a plan for:

     (a) Public health coordination, including a system for reporting communicable diseases in accordance with chapter 246-100 WAC Communicable and certain other diseases; and

     (b) Surveillance and investigation consistent with WAC 246-320-225 Improving organizational performance.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.030 and 43.70.040. 99-04-052, § 246-320-265, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-04-052, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99)

WAC 246-320-365   Specialized patient care services.   The purpose of the specialized patient care services section is to guide the development of the plan for patient care. This is accomplished by ensuring availability of materials and resources and through establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures that promote the delivery of quality health care in specialized patient care areas.

     Hospitals will:

     (1) Meet the requirements in Inpatient care services, WAC 246-320-345;

     (2) Adopt and implement policies and procedures which address accepted standards of care for each specialty service;

     (3) Assure physician oversight for each specialty service by a physician with experience in those specialized services;

     (4) Assure staff for each nursing service area are supervised by a registered nurse who provides a leadership role to plan, provide, and coordinate care;

     (5) If providing surgery and interventional services:

     (a) Adopt and implement policies and procedures that address appropriate access:

     (i) To areas where invasive procedures are performed; and

     (ii) To information regarding practitioner's delineated privileges for operating room staff;

     (b) Provide:

     (i) Emergency equipment, supplies, and services available in a timely manner and appropriate for the scope of service; and

     (ii) Separate refrigerated storage equipment with temperature alarms, when blood is stored in the surgical department;

     (6) If providing a post anesthesia recovery unit (PACU), adopt and implement written policies and procedures requiring:

     (a) The availability of an authorized practitioner in the facility capable of managing complications and providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation for patients when patients are in the PACU; and

     (b) The immediate availability to the PACU of a registered nurse trained and current in advanced cardiac life support measures;

     (7) If providing obstetrical services:

     (a) Have capability to perform cesarean sections twenty-four hours per day; or

     (b) Meet the following criteria when the hospital does not have twenty-four hour cesarean capability:

     (i) Limit planned obstetrical admissions to "low risk" obstetrical patients as defined in WAC 246-329-010(13) childbirth centers;

     (ii) Inform each obstetrical patient in writing, prior to the planned admission, of the hospital's limited obstetrical services as well as the transportation and transfer agreements;

     (iii) Maintain current written agreements for adequately staffed ambulance and/or air transport services to be available twenty-four hours per day; and

     (iv) Maintain current written agreements with another hospital to admit the transferred obstetrical patients;

     (c) Ensure one licensed nurse trained in neonatal resuscitation is in the hospital when infants are present;

     (8) If providing an intermediate care nursery, have nursing, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, and respiratory care services appropriate for infants:

     (a) Available in a timely manner; and

     (b) In the hospital during assisted ventilation;

     (c) Ensure one licensed nurse trained in neonatal resuscitation is in the hospital when infants are present;

     (9) If providing a neonatal intensive care nursery, have:

     (a) Nursing, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, and respiratory care services appropriate for neonates available in the hospital at all times;

     (b) An anesthesia practitioner, neonatologist, and a pharmacist on call and available in a timely manner twenty-four hours a day; and

     (c) One licensed nurse trained in neonatal resuscitation in the hospital when infants are present;

     (10) If providing a critical care unit or services, have:

     (a) At least two licensed nursing personnel skilled and trained in care of critical care patients on duty in the hospital at all times when patients are present, and:

     (i) Immediately available to provide care to patients admitted to the critical care area; and

     (ii) Trained and current in cardiopulmonary resuscitation including at least one registered nurse with:

     (A) Training in the safe and effective use of the specialized equipment and procedures employed in the particular area; and

     (B) Successful completion of an advanced cardiac life support training program; and

     (b) Laboratory, radiology, and respiratory care services available in a timely manner;

     (11) If providing an alcoholism and/or chemical dependency unit or services:

     (a) Adopt and implement policies and procedures that address development, implementation, and review of the individualized treatment plan, including the participation of the multidisciplinary treatment team, the patient, and the family, as appropriate;

     (b) Ensure provision of patient privacy for interviewing, group and individual counseling, physical examinations, and social activities of patients; and

     (c) Provide staff in accordance with WAC 246-324-170(3);

     (12) If providing a psychiatric unit or services:

     (a) Adopt and implement policies and procedures that address development, implementation, and review of the individualized treatment plan, including the participation of the multidisciplinary treatment team, the patient, and the family, as appropriate;

     (b) Ensure provision of patient privacy for interviewing, group and individual counseling, physical examinations, and social activities of patients;

     (c) Provide staff in accordance with WAC 246-322-170(3); and

     (d) Provide:

     (i) Separate patient sleeping rooms for children and adults;

     (ii) Access to at least one seclusion room;

     (iii) For close observation of patients;

     (13) If providing a long-term care unit or services, provide an activities program designed to encourage each long-term care patient to maintain or attain normal activity and achieve an optimal level of independence;

     (14) If providing an emergency care unit or services, provide basic, outpatient emergency care including:

     (a) Capability to perform emergency triage and medical screening exam twenty-four hours per day;

     (b) At least one registered nurse skilled and trained in care of emergency department patients on duty in the hospital at all times, and:

     (i) Immediately available to provide care; and

     (ii) Trained and current in advanced cardiac life support;

     (c) Names and telephone numbers of medical and other staff on call must be posted; and

     (d) Communication with agencies as indicated by patient condition;

     (15) If providing renal dialysis service:

     (a) Meet ((WAC 246-320-99902(2) for)) the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Standards, Dialysis Edition, 2005:

     (i) The cleaning and sterilization procedures if dialyzers are reused;

     (ii) Water treatment, if necessary to ensure water quality; and

     (iii) Water testing for bacterial contamination and chemical purity;

     (b) Test dialysis machine for bacterial contamination monthly or demonstrate a quality assurance program establishing effectiveness of disinfection methods and intervals;

     (c) Take appropriate measures to prevent contamination, including backflow prevention in accordance with ((WAC 246-320-525 (4)(a))) the state plumbing code;

     (d) Provide for the availability of any special dialyzing solutions required by a patient; and

     (e) Through a contract provider, that provider must meet the requirements in this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.030 and 43.70.040. 99-04-052, § 246-320-365, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-04-052, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99)

WAC 246-320-405   Management of environment for care.   The purpose of the management of environment for care section is to ((reduce and control)) manage the environmental hazards and risks, prevent accidents and injuries, and maintain safe conditions for patients, visitors, and staff.

     (1) The hospital will designate a person or persons responsible to develop, implement, monitor, and follow-up on safety, security, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, life safety, patient related technology, utility system, and physical plant elements of the management plan.

     (2) Safety. The hospital will:

     (a) Establish and implement a plan to:

     (i) Maintain a physical environment free of hazards; and

     (ii) Reduce the risk of injury to patients, staff, and visitors;

     (b) Report and investigate safety related incidents and when appropriate correct and/or take steps to avoid reoccurrence in the future; and

     (c) Educate and review periodically with staff, policies and procedures relating to safety and job-related hazards.

     (3) Security. The hospital will:

     (a) Establish and implement a plan to maintain a secure environment for patients, visitors, and staff, including a plan to prevent abduction of patients;

     (b) Educate staff on security procedures; and

     (c) If they have a designated security staff, assure security staff have a minimum level of training and competency commensurate with their assigned responsibility, as defined by the hospital.

     (4) Hazardous materials and waste. The hospital will:

     (a) Establish and maintain a program to safely control hazardous materials and waste in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations;

     (b) Provide space and equipment for safe handling and storage of hazardous materials and waste;

     (c) Investigate all hazardous materials or waste spills, exposures, and other incidents, and report as required to appropriate agency(s);

     (d) Educate staff on policies and procedures relating to safe control of hazardous materials and waste.

     (5) Emergency preparedness. The hospital will:

     (a) Establish and implement a disaster plan designed to meet both internal and external disasters. The plan is:

     (i) Specific to the hospital;

     (ii) Relevant to the area;

     (iii) Internally implementable, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; and

     (iv) Reviewed and revised periodically;

     (b) Ensure the disaster plan identifies:

     (i) Who is responsible for each aspect of the plan; and

     (ii) Essential and key personnel who would respond to a disaster;

     (c) Include in the plan:

     (i) Provision for staff education and training; and

     (ii) A debriefing and evaluation after each disaster incident or drill.

     (6) Life safety. The hospital will:

     (a) Establish and implement a plan to maintain a fire-safe environment of care that meets fire protection requirements established by the Washington state patrol, fire protection bureau;

     (b) Investigate fire protection deficiencies, failures, and user errors; and

     (c) Orient, educate, and drill staff on policies and procedures relating to life safety management and emergencies.

     (7) Patient related technologies. The hospital will:

     (a) Establish and implement a plan to:

     (i) Complete a technical and an engineering review to ensure that patient related technology will function safely and with appropriate building support systems;

     (ii) Inventory all patient related technologies that require preventive maintenance;

     (iii) Address and document preventive maintenance (PM); and

     (iv) Assure quality delivery of service, independent of service vendor or methodology;

     (b) Investigate, report, and evaluate procedures in response to system failures; and

     (c) Educate staff regarding relevant patient related medical technology.

     (8) Utility systems. The hospital will:

     (a) Establish and implement a plan to:

     (i) Maintain a safe, controlled, comfortable environment;

     (ii) Assess and minimize risks of utility system failures, and ensure operational reliability of utility systems;

     (iii) Investigate utility systems management problems, failures, or user errors and report incidents and corrective actions; and

     (iv) Address and document preventive maintenance (PM);

     (b) Educate staff on utility management policies and procedures.

     (9) Physical plant. The hospital will provide:

     (a) Storage;

     (b) Plumbing with:

     (i) A water supply providing hot and cold water under pressure which conforms to the quality standards of the department;

     (ii) Hot water supplied for bathing and handwashing purposes not exceeding 120°F; and

     (iii) The cross connection controls meeting requirements ((in WAC 246-320-525 (4)(a); and

     (iv) Medical gas piping meeting requirements in WAC 246-320-99902 (6) and (10))) of the state plumbing code;

     (c) Ventilation:

     (i) To prevent objectionable odors and/or excessive condensation; and

     (ii) With air pressure relationships ((meeting the requirements in WAC 246-320-525 (Table 525-3))) as designed and approved by the department when constructed and maintained within industry standard tolerances;

     (d) ((Interior finishes suitable to the function in accordance with WAC 246-320-525(6);)) Clean interior surfaces and finishes;

     (e) ((Electrical with:

     (i))) Functional patient call system((s in accordance with WAC 246-320-525 (Table 525-1); and

     (ii) Tamper resistant receptacles in waiting areas and where noted in Table 525-5 and WAC 246-320-99902(3))).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.030 and 43.70.040. 99-04-052, § 246-320-405, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-04-052, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99)

WAC 246-320-500   Applicability of WAC 246-320-500 through ((246-320-99902)) 246-320-600.   The purpose of ((the new)) construction regulations is to provide ((minimum standards)) for a safe and effective patient care environment ((consistent with other applicable rules and regulations without redundancy and contradictory requirements. Rules allow flexibility in achieving desired outcomes and enable hospitals to respond to changes in technologies and health care innovations)). These rules are not retroactive and are intended to be applied as outlined below.

     (1) These regulations apply to ((a)) hospitals ((as defined in RCW 70.41.020)) including:

     (a) ((Including:

     (i))) New buildings to be licensed as a hospital;

     (((ii))) (b) Conversion of an existing building or portion ((thereof)) of an existing building for use as a hospital;

     (((iii))) (c) Additions to an existing hospital;

     (((iv))) (d) Alterations to an existing hospital; and

     (((v))) (e) Buildings or portions of buildings licensed as a hospital and used for ((outpatient care facilities)) hospital services;

     (((b))) (f) Excluding nonpatient care ((areas)) buildings used exclusively for administration functions.

     (2) The requirements of chapter 246-320 WAC in effect at the time the application((,)) and fee((, and construction documents)) are submitted to the department ((for review will)), and project number is assigned by the department, apply for the duration of the construction project.

     (3) Standards for design and construction.

     Facilities constructed and intended for use under this chapter shall comply with:

     (a) The following chapters of the 2006 edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities as published by the American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20006, as amended in WAC 246-320-600:

     (i) 1.1 Introduction

     (ii) 1.2 Environment of Care

     (iii) 1.3 Site

     (iv) 1.4 Equipment

     (v) 1.5 Planning, Design and Construction

     (vi) 1.6 Common Requirements

     (vii) 2.1 General Hospital

     (viii) 2.2 Small Inpatient Primary Care Hospitals

     (ix) 2.3 Psychiatric Hospital

     (x) 2.4 Rehabilitation Facilities

     (xi) 3.1 Outpatient Facilities

     (xii) 3.2 Primary Care Outpatient Centers

     (xiii) 3.3 Small Primary (Neighborhood) Outpatient Facilities

     (xiv) 3.4 Freestanding Outpatient Diagnostic and Treatment Facilities

     (xv) 3.5 Freestanding Urgent Care Facilities

     (xvi) 3.6 Freestanding Birthing Centers

     (xvii) 3.7 Outpatient Surgical Facilities

     (xviii) 3.8 Office Surgical Facilities

     (xix) 3.9 Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Facilities

     (xx) 3.10 Renal Dialysis Centers

     (xxi) 3.11 Psychiatric Outpatient Centers

     (xxii) 3.12 Mobile, Transportable, and Relocatable Units

     (xxiii) 4.2 Hospice Facility

     (b) The National Fire Protection Association, Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, 2000.

     (c) The State Building Code as adopted by the state building code council under the authority of chapter 19.27 RCW.

     (d) Accepted procedure and practice in cross-contamination control, Pacific Northwest Edition, 6th Edition, December 1995, American Waterworks Association.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.030 and 43.70.040. 99-04-052, § 246-320-500, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-04-052, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99)

WAC 246-320-505   Design, construction review, and approval of plans.   (1) Drawings and specifications for new construction, excluding minor alterations, must be prepared by((,)) or under the direction of, an architect registered under chapter 18.08 RCW. The services of a consulting engineer registered under chapter 18.43 RCW must be used for the various branches of ((the)) work where appropriate. The services of a registered ((professional)) engineer may be used in lieu of the services of an architect if work involves engineering only.

     (2) A hospital ((must submit construction documents for proposed new construction to the department for review and approval prior to occupying the new construction, as specified in this subsection, with the exception of administration areas that do not affect fire and life safety, mechanical and electrical for patient care areas. Compliance with these standards and regulations does not relieve the hospital of the need to comply with applicable state and local building and zoning codes. The construction documents must include:

     (a))) will meet the following requirements:

     (a) Request and attend a presubmission conference for projects with a construction value of two hundred fifty thousand dollars or more. The presubmission conference shall be scheduled to occur for the review of construction documents that are no less than fifty percent complete.

     (b) Submit construction documents for proposed new construction to the department for review within ten days of submission to the local authorities. Compliance with these standards and regulations does not relieve the hospital of the need to comply with applicable state and local building and zoning codes.

     (c) The construction documents must include:

     (i) A written program containing, ((at a minimum)) but not limited to the following:

     (((i))) (A) Information concerning services to be provided and operational methods to be used; ((and

     (ii) A plan to show how they will ensure the health and safety of occupants during construction and installation of finishes. This includes taking appropriate infection control measures, keeping the surrounding area free of dust and fumes, and assuring rooms or areas are well-ventilated, unoccupied, and unavailable for use until free of volatile fumes and odors;

     (b))) (B) An interim life safety measures plan to ensure the health and safety of occupants during construction and installation of finishes.

     (C) An infection control risk assessment indicating appropriate infection control measures, keeping the surrounding area free of dust and fumes, and ensuring rooms or areas are well ventilated, unoccupied, and unavailable for use until free of volatile fumes and odors;

     (ii) Drawings and specifications to include coordinated architectural, mechanical, and electrical work. Each room, area, and item of fixed equipment and major movable equipment must be identified on all drawings to demonstrate that the required facilities for each function are provided; and

     (((c))) (iii) Floor plan of the existing building showing the alterations and additions, and indicating((:

     (i))) location of any service or support areas; and

     (((ii))) (iv) Required paths of exit serving the alterations or additions.

     (((3) A hospital will:

     (a))) (d) The hospital will respond in writing when the department requests additional or corrected construction documents;

     (((b))) (e) Notify the department in writing when construction has commenced;

     (((c) Submit to the department for review any addenda or modifications to the construction documents;

     (d) Assure construction is completed in compliance with the final "department approved" documents; and

     (e) Notify the department in writing when construction is completed and include a copy of the local jurisdiction's approval for occupancy.

     (4) A hospital will not use any new or remodeled areas until:

     (a) The construction documents are approved by the department; and

     (b) The local jurisdictions have issued an approval to occupy)) (f) Provide the department with a signed form acknowledging the risks if starting construction before the plan review has been completed. The acknowledgment of risks form shall be signed by the:

     (i) Architect; and

     (ii) Hospital CEO, COO or designee; and

     (iii) Hospital facilities director.

     (g) Submit to the department for review any addenda or modifications to the construction documents;

     (h) Assure construction is completed in compliance with the final "department approved" documents. Compliance with these standards and regulations does not relieve the hospital of the need to comply with applicable state and local building and zoning codes. Where differences in interpretations occur, the hospital will follow the most stringent requirement.

     (i) The hospital will allow any necessary inspections for the verification of compliance with the construction document, addenda, and modifications.

     (j) Notify the department in writing when construction is completed and include a copy of the local jurisdiction's approval for occupancy.

     (3) The hospital will not begin construction or use any new or remodeled areas until:

     (a) The infection control risk assessment has been approved by the department;

     (b) The interim life safety plan has been approved by the department;

     (c) An acknowledgment of risk form has been submitted to the department as required by subsection (2)(f) of this section;

     (d) The department has approved construction documents or granted authorization to begin construction; and

     (e) The local jurisdictions have issued a building permit, when applicable or given approval to occupy.

     (4) The department will issue an "authorization to begin construction" when subsection (3)(a), (b), and (c) are approved and the presubmission conference is concluded.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.030 and 43.70.040. 99-04-052, § 246-320-505, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 246-320-600   Washington state amendments.   This section contains the Washington state amendments to the 2006 edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities as published by the American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.


CHAPTER 1.2 ENVIRONMENT OF CARE

     2.1.3.4 This section is not adopted.


CHAPTER 1.3 SITE

     2.2 Availability of Transportation

     This section is not adopted.

     3.3 Parking

     This section is not adopted.


CHAPTER 1.4 EQUIPMENT

     A1.3.1 Design should consider the placement of cables from portable equipment so that personnel circulation and safety are maintained.


CHAPTER 1.5 PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

     2.1 General

     2.1.1 ICRA Panel

     The ICRA shall be conducted by a panel with expertise in the areas affected by the project; at a minimum this would include infection control, epidemiology and facility representation.


CHAPTER 1.6 COMMON REQUIREMENTS

     2.1.1 General

     Unless otherwise specified herein, all plumbing systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the plumbing code as adopted by the state building code council.

     2.1.3.2 Handwashing Stations

     General handwashing stations used by medical and nursing staff, patients, and food handlers shall be trimmed with valves that can be operated without hands. Single-lever or wrist blade devices shall be permitted. Blade handles used for this purpose shall be at least 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) in length.

     2.2.2 HVAC Air Distribution

     2.2.2.1 HVAC Ductwork

     (2) Humidifiers.

     (a) If humidifiers are located within a ventilation system upstream of the final filters, they shall be at least 15 feet (4.57 meters) upstream of the final filters.

     (b) Ductwork with duct-mounted humidifiers shall have a means of water removal.

     (c) An adjustable high-limit humidistat shall be located downstream of the humidifier to reduce the potential for condensation inside the duct.

     (d) Humidifiers shall be connected to airflow proving switches that prevent humidification unless the required volume of airflow is present or high-limit humidistats are provided.

     (e) All duct takeoffs shall be sufficiently downstream of the humidifier to ensure complete moisture absorption.

     (f) Steam humidifiers shall be used. Reservoir type water spray or evaporative pan humidifiers shall not be used.

     A2.2.2.1(2) It is recognized that some facilities may not require humidity control within the ranges in table 2.1-2 and that the final determination of a facility's ability to control humidity will be made by that facility.


CHAPTER 2.1 GENERAL HOSPITALS

     1.2.2 Swing Beds

     When the concept of swing beds is part of the functional program, care shall be taken to include requirements for all intended categories. Nursing homes and long-term care units must be distinct and separate from swing beds.

     A1.2.2 Swing Beds

     Every bed must be able to provide both acute care and skilled nursing care. The concept is that the patient would not have to be moved, rather their status would change from "acute" to "swing bed" status.

     2.2.1 Toilet Rooms

     2.2.1.3 Toilet room doors shall swing outward or be double acting. Where local requirements permit, surface mounted sliding doors may be used, provided adequate provisions are made for acoustical and visual privacy.

     2.3.5 Nourishment Area

     2.3.5.1 A nourishment area shall have a sink, work counter, refrigerator, storage cabinets, and equipment for hot and cold nourishment between scheduled meals. This area shall include space for trays and dishes used for nonscheduled meal service. This function may be combined with a clean utility without duplication of sinks and work counters.

     2.3.10 Housekeeping Room

     2.3.10.1 Housekeeping rooms shall be directly accessible from the unit or floor they serve and may serve more than one nursing unit on a floor. Housekeeping and soiled rooms may be combined.

     3.1.1.1 Capacity

     (1) In new construction, the maximum number of beds per room shall be two.

     (2) Where renovation work is undertaken and the present capacity is more than one patient, maximum room capacity shall be no more than the present capacity with a maximum of four patients.

     3.1.1.5 Handwashing Stations. These shall be provided to serve each patient room.

     (1) A handwashing station shall be provided in the toilet room.

     (2) Or, in private rooms, a handwashing station shall be provided in the patient room provided alcohol-based hand sanitizers are provided in the toilet room. The handwashing station shall be located outside the patient's cubicle curtain and convenient to staff entering and leaving the room.

     (3) A hand sanitation station in patient rooms utilizing waterless cleaners shall be permitted in renovations of existing facilities where existing conditions prohibit an additional handwashing station.

     3.1.2 Patient/Family Centered Care Rooms

     This section is not adopted.

     3.1.5 Support Areas for Medical/Surgical Nursing Units

     3.1.5.5 Handwashing Stations

     (1) Handwashing stations or waterless cleansing stations shall be conveniently accessible to the nurse station, medication station, and nourishment station. "Convenient" is defined as not requiring staff to access more than two spaces separated by a door.

     (2) One handwashing station may serve several areas if convenient to each.

     4.3.1 Labor Rooms

     4.3.1.1 General

     (2) Access. Labor rooms shall have controlled access with doors.

     5.1.3 Definitive Emergency Care

     5.1.3.7(5) Decontamination Area

     (a) Location. In new construction, a decontamination room shall be provided with an outside entry door as far as practical from the closest other entrance. The internal door of this room shall open into a corridor of the emergency department, swing into the room and be lockable against ingress from the corridor.

     (b) Space requirements. The room shall provide a minimum of 80 square feet (7.43 square meters) clear floor area.

     (c) Facility requirements.

     (i) The room shall be equipped with two hand-held shower heads with temperature controls.

     (ii) Portable or hard-piped oxygen shall be provided. Portable suction shall also be available.

     (d) Construction requirements. The room shall have all smooth, nonporous, scrubbable, nonabsorptive, nonperforated surfaces. Fixtures shall be acid resistant. The floor of the decontamination room shall be self-coving to a height of 6 inches (15.24 centimeters).

     (e) This section does not preclude decontamination capability at other locations or entrances immediately adjacent to the emergency department.

     5.3.3 Pre- and Postoperative Holding Areas

     5.3.3.2 Post-anesthetic Care Units (PACUs)

     (4) Facility requirements. Each PACU shall contain a medication station; handwashing stations; nurse station with charting facilities; clinical sink; provisions for bedpan cleaning; and storage space for stretchers, supplies, and equipment.

     (a) Handwashing station(s). At least one handwashing station with hands-free or wrist blade-operable controls shall be available for every six beds or fraction thereof, uniformly distributed to provide equal access from each bed.

     (b) Staff toilet. A staff toilet shall be located within the working area to maintain staff availability to patients.

     5.3.5 Support Areas for the Surgical Suite

     5.3.5.4 Scrub Facilities. Two scrub positions shall be provided near the entrance to each operating room.

     5.9.3 Examination Room

     This section is not adopted.

     6.1. Pharmacy

     Until final adoption of USP 797 by either federal or other state programs, facilities may request plan review for conformance to USP 797 with their initial submission to the Department of Health, Construction Review Services. The most current edition of USP 797 at the time of the application will be used for plan review service.

     8.2.2.3 Doors

     (2) Door Size.

     (a) General. Where used in these Guidelines, door width and height shall be the nominal dimension of the door leaf, ignoring projections of frame and stops. Note: While these standards are intended for access by patients and patient equipment, size of office furniture, etc., shall also be considered.

     (b) Inpatient bedrooms.

     (i) New construction. The minimum door size for inpatient bedrooms in new work areas shall be 4 feet (1.22 meters) wide and 7 feet (2.13 meters) high to provide clearance for movement of beds and other equipment.

     (ii) Renovation. Existing doors of not less than 2 feet 10 inches (86.36 centimeters) wide may be considered for acceptance where function is not adversely affected and replacement is impractical.

     (c) Rooms for stretchers/wheelchairs. Doors to other rooms used for stretchers (including hospital wheeled-bed stretchers) and/or wheelchairs shall have a minimum width of 2 feet 10 inches (86.36 centimeters).

     10.1.2 Plumbing and Other Piping Systems

     10.1.2.5 Drainage Systems

     (1) Piping.

     (a) Drain lines from sinks used for acid waste disposal shall be made of acid resistant material.

     (b) Drain lines serving some types of automatic blood-cell counters shall be of carefully selected material that will eliminate potential for undesirable chemical reactions (and/or explosions) between sodium azide wastes and copper, lead, brass, solder, etc.

     (c) Reasonable effort shall be made to avoid installing drainage piping within the ceiling or exposed in operating and delivery rooms, nurseries, food preparation centers, food-serving facilities, food storage areas, central services, electronic data processing areas, electric closets, and other sensitive areas. Where exposed overhead drain piping in these areas is unavoidable, special provision shall be made to protect the space below from leakage, condensation or dust particles.

     10.2.1 General

     10.2.1.1 Mechanical System Design

     (2) Air-handling systems.

     (a) These shall be designed with an economizer cycle where appropriate to use outside air. (Use of mechanically circulated air does not reduce need for filtration.)

     (b) VAV systems. The energy-saving potential of variable-air-volume systems is recognized and the standards herein are intended to maximize appropriate use of those systems. Any system used for occupied areas shall include provisions to avoid air stagnation in interior spaces where thermostat demands are met by temperatures of surrounding areas and air movement relationship changes if constant volume and variable volume are supplied by one air-handling system with a common pressure dependent return system.

     (c) Noncentral air-handling systems (i.e., individual room units used for heating and cooling purposes, such as fan-coil units, heat pump units, etc.). These units may be used as recirculating units only. All outdoor air requirements shall be met by a separate central air-handling system with proper filtration, as noted in Table 2.1-3.

     10.2.1.2 Ventilation and Space Conditioning Requirements. All rooms and areas used for patient care shall have provisions for ventilation.

     (2) Air change rates. Air supply and exhaust in rooms for which no minimum total air change rate is noted may vary down to zero in response to room load. For rooms listed in Table 2.1-2, where VAV systems are used, minimum total air change shall be within limits noted, the minimum required by the Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code (chapter 51-13 WAC).

     (3) Temperature. Space temperature shall be as indicated in Table 2.1-2.

     10.2.4 HVAC Air Distribution

     10.2.4.3 Exhaust Systems

     (1) General.

     (a) Exhaust systems may be combined.

     (b) Local exhaust systems shall be used whenever possible in place of dilution ventilation to reduce exposure to hazardous gases, vapors, fumes, or mists.

     (c) Fans serving exhaust systems shall be located at the discharge end and shall be readily serviceable.

     (d) Airborne infection isolation rooms shall not be served by exhaust systems incorporating a heat wheel.

     10.2.5 HVAC Filters

     10.2.5.2 Filter Bed Location. Where two filter beds are required, filter bed no. 1 shall be located upstream of the air conditioning equipment and filter bed no. 2 shall be downstream of the last component of any central air-handling unit and plenum/duct liner except: Steam injection-type humidifiers; terminal heating coils; and mixed boxes and acoustical traps that have special covering over the lining. Terminal cooling coils and linings are permitted downstream of filter bed no. 2 with additional filtration downstream of coil meeting requirements of filter bed no. 2.

     10.2.5.5 Filter Manometers. A manometer shall be installed across each filter bed having a required efficiency of 75 percent or more, including hoods requiring HEPA filters. Manometers may be omitted at HEPA-filtered ceiling diffusers if pressure-independent terminal units provide the operator a means to verify the actual airflow to the HEPA-filtered diffusers in each room. Provisions shall be made to allow access for field testing. A recognized air flow measuring device would be acceptable, in lieu of terminal units.

     Table 2.1-2 Ventilation Requirements for Areas Affecting Patient Care in Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities

     Footnote 8 The ranges listed are the minimum and maximum limits where control is specifically needed. The maximum and minimum limits are not intended to be independent of a space's associated temperature. See figure 2.1-1 for a graphic representation of the indicated changes on a psychometric chart. Shaded area is acceptable range.


CHAPTER 2.2 SMALL INPATIENT PRIMARY CARE HOSPITALS

     1.3.2 Parking

     This section not adopted.


CHAPTER 2.3 PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS

     1.6.1 Parking

     This section is not adopted.


CHAPTER 3.1 OUTPATIENT FACILITIES

     1.7.2 Parking

     This section is not adopted.

     7.1.2 Plumbing and Other Piping Systems

     7.1.2.1 General Piping and Valves

     (3) To prevent food contamination, no plumbing lines shall be exposed overhead or on walls where possible accumulation of dust or soil may create a cleaning problem or where leaks would create a potential for food contamination.


CHAPTER 3.2 PRIMARY CARE OUTPATIENT CENTERS

     1.3.1 Parking

     This section is not being adopted.


CHAPTER 3.3 SMALL PRIMARY (NEIGHBORHOOD) OUTPATIENT FACILITIES

     1.3.2 Parking

     This section is not adopted.


CHAPTER 3.5 FREESTANDING URGENT CARE FACILITIES

     1.2.2 Parking

     This section is not adopted.


CHAPTER 3.6 FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS

     1.2.1 Parking

     This section is not adopted.


CHAPTER 3.7 OUTPATIENT SURGICAL FACILITIES

     1.6.1 Parking

     This section is not adopted.


CHAPTER 3.9 GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY FACILITIES

     1.6.1 Parking

     This section is not adopted.


CHAPTER 3.11 PSYCHIATRIC OUTPATIENT CENTERS

     1.3.1 Parking

     This section is not adopted.

[]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-17-174, filed 8/22/07, effective 9/22/07)

WAC 246-320-990   Fees.   This section establishes the licensure fee for hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW.

     (1) Applicants and licensees shall:

     (a) Submit an annual license fee of one hundred thirteen dollars and zero cents for each bed space within the licensed bed capacity of the hospital to the department;

     (b) Include all bed spaces in rooms complying with physical plant and movable equipment requirements of this chapter for twenty-four-hour assigned patient rooms;

     (c) Include neonatal intensive care bassinet spaces;

     (d) Include bed spaces assigned for less than twenty-four-hour patient use as part of the licensed bed capacity when:

     (i) Physical plant requirements of this chapter are met without movable equipment; and

     (ii) The hospital currently possesses the required movable equipment and certifies this fact to the department;

     (e) Exclude all normal infant bassinets;

     (f) Limit licensed bed spaces as required under chapter 70.38 RCW;

     (g) Submit an application for bed additions to the department for review and approval under chapter 70.38 RCW subsequent to department establishment of the hospital licensed bed capacity;

     (h) Set up twenty-four-hour assigned patient beds only within the licensed bed capacity approved by the department.

     (2) Refunds. The department shall refund fees paid by the applicant for initial licensure if:

     (a) The department has received the application but has not performed an on-site survey or provided technical assistance, the department will refund two-thirds of the fees paid, less a fifty dollar processing fee.

     (b) The department has received the application and has conducted an on-site survey or provided technical assistance, the department will refund one-third of the fees paid, less a fifty dollar processing fee.

     (c) The department will not refund fees if:

     (i) The department has performed more than one on-site visit for any purpose;

     (ii) One year has elapsed since an initial licensure application is received by the department, and the department has not issued the license because the applicant has failed to complete requirements for licensure; or

     (iii) The amount to be refunded as calculated by (a) or (b) of this subsection is ten dollars or less.

     (3) Construction review applicants shall submit the appropriate fee per chapter 246-314 WAC at the time of application to construction review services.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250. 07-17-174, § 246-320-990, filed 8/22/07, effective 9/22/07; 05-18-073, § 246-320-990, filed 9/7/05, effective 10/8/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250, 18.46.030, 43.70.110, 71.12.470. 04-19-141, § 246-320-990, filed 9/22/04, effective 10/23/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250 and 70.38.105(5). 03-22-020, § 246-320-990, filed 10/27/03, effective 11/27/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250. 02-13-061, § 246-320-990, filed 6/14/02, effective 7/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.100, 43.20B.110, and 43.70.250. 01-20-119, § 246-320-990, filed 10/3/01, effective 11/3/01; 99-24-096, § 246-320-990, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.41.030 and 43.70.040. 99-04-052, § 246-320-990, filed 1/28/99, effective 3/10/99.]


REPEALER

     The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
WAC 246-320-515 Site and site development.
WAC 246-320-525 General design.
WAC 246-320-535 Support facilities.
WAC 246-320-545 Maintenance, engineering, mechanical, and electrical facilities.
WAC 246-320-555 Admitting, lobby, and medical records facilities.
WAC 246-320-565 Receiving, storage, and distribution facilities.
WAC 246-320-575 Central processing service facilities.
WAC 246-320-585 Environmental services facilities.
WAC 246-320-595 Laundry and/or linen handling facilities.
WAC 246-320-605 Food and nutrition facilities.
WAC 246-320-625 Laboratory and pathology facilities.
WAC 246-320-635 Surgery facilities.
WAC 246-320-645 Recovery/post anesthesia care unit (PACU).
WAC 246-320-655 Obstetrical delivery facilities.
WAC 246-320-665 Birthing/delivery rooms, labor, delivery, recovery (LDR) and labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum (LDRP).
WAC 246-320-675 Interventional service facilities.
WAC 246-320-685 Nursing unit.
WAC 246-320-695 Pediatric nursing unit.
WAC 246-320-705 Newborn nursery facilities.
WAC 246-320-715 Intermediate care nursery and neonatal intensive care nursery.
WAC 246-320-725 Critical care facilities.
WAC 246-320-735 Alcoholism and chemical dependency nursing unit.
WAC 246-320-745 Psychiatric facilities.
WAC 246-320-755 Rehabilitation facilities.
WAC 246-320-765 Long-term care and hospice unit.
WAC 246-320-775 Dialysis facilities.
WAC 246-320-785 Imaging facilities.
WAC 246-320-795 Nuclear medicine facilities.
WAC 246-320-805 Emergency facilities.
WAC 246-320-815 Outpatient care facilities.
WAC 246-320-99902 Appendix B--Dates of documents adopted by reference in chapter 246-320 WAC.

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