Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-5-11 - REHABILITATION CENTERS
Section 420-5-11-.04 - Physical Environment

(a) Scope. Rehabilitation centers shall be classified as business occupancies. Facilities constructed or renovated after the effective date of these rules shall comply with the codes and standards, adopted by the State Board of Health and in effect at the time of plan submission.

(b) New Facilities, Additions, and Major Alterations. Plans and specifications shall be submitted for review and approval to the Alabama Department of Public Health, for any building that is intended to contain a Rehabilitation Center, and for additions and alterations to existing facilities. Submissions shall be in accordance with Alabama Administrative Code Rule 420-5-22, "Submission of Plans and Specifications for Health Care Facilities."

(c) Minor Alterations and Remodeling. Minor alterations and remodeling which do not affect the structural integrity of the building, which do not change functional operation, which do not affect fire safety, and which do not add beds or facilities over those for which the rehabilitation center is licensed, need not be submitted for approval.

(d) Inspections. The State Board of Health and its authorized representatives shall have access to the work for inspection wherever it is in preparation or progress.

(a) Location. The rehabilitation center shall be located in an area which is readily accessible to its patients, staff, and visitors and shall make available adequate parking and other common services with provisions for meeting the needs of the handicapped.

(b) Local Restrictions. The rehabilitation center shall comply with local zoning, building, and fire ordinances.

(c) Structural Soundness. The building shall be structurally sound, free from leaks and excessive moisture, in good repair, and painted at intervals to be reasonably attractive inside and out.

(d) Fire Extinguisher. Fire extinguishers shall be installed, inspected annually and maintained as required by NFPA 10, "Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers." An attached tag shall bear the name of the business, initials or name of the inspector and date inspected. The facility shall perform a monthly inspection and annotate the inspection date on the attached tag.

(e) Ventilation. The building shall be well ventilated at all times with a comfortable temperature maintained.

(f) Waste Disposal. Space and facilities shall be provided for the sanitary storage and disposal of waste by incineration, containerization, or removal, or by combination of these techniques. Infectious waste materials shall be rendered non-infectious on the premises by appropriate measures.

(g) Elevators. Multi-story facilities shall be equipped with at least one automatic elevator of a size sufficient to carry a patient on a stretcher.

(h) Doors. Minimum width of doors to all rooms needing access for patients shall be 36 inches.

(i) Pest Control. The premises must be kept free from rodent and insect infestation.

(j) Lighting. All areas of the center shall have sufficient artificial lighting to provide proper illumination for all services.

(k) Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting systems shall be provided to adequately light corridors, exit signs, stairways and lights on exterior at each exit in case of electrical power failure.

(l) Exit Doors. Exit doors shall be no less than 36 inches wide and swing in the direction of exit travel.

(m) Exit Signs. Exit signs shall be placed in corridors and passageways to indicate the direction of exit.

(n) Floors. All floors shall be covered with hard tile, resilient tile, carpet or the equivalent. Tile floors shall be smooth and be free from open cracks and finished so that they can be easily cleaned. Carpeting is prohibited in medical treatment and food preparation areas.

(o) Curtains. All draperies and cubicle curtains shall be rendered and maintained flame retardant per NFPA 701.

(p) Handicap Facilities. The facility shall be accessible to the physically handicapped and shall comply with ANSI A117.1 "Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible and Usable by the Physically Handicapped."

(a) Admission Office. There shall be a room designated as the admission office where patients may discuss personal matters in private. The admission office may be combined with the business office and medical record room if privacy can be maintained when confidential matters are being discussed. This space shall be separated from the treatment area by walls and partitions.

(b) Waiting Room. A waiting room in the administrative section shall be provided with sufficient seating for the maximum number of persons that may be waiting at any time. Public toilets shall be available.

(c) Storage. A janitor closet shall be provided.

(a) Personnel. Sufficient personnel shall be employed to maintain the facility clean and orderly. Primary patient care personnel shall not perform routine decontamination and housekeeping duties during periods in which they are caring for patients.

(b) Techniques. Written procedures outlining techniques to be followed in routine housekeeping and decontamination shall be developed and maintained. Treatment rooms must be cleaned, using appropriate disinfectants, to assure asepsis between each procedure as approved by the Infection Control Committee.

(c) General Storage.