Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 5, February 29, 2024
(1) A
hospital shall be constructed, arranged, and maintained to ensure the safety of
the patient, and to provide facilities for diagnosis and treatment and for
special hospital services appropriate to the needs of the community.
(2) Buildings and grounds shall be developed
and maintained in such a manner that the safety and well-being of building
occupants are assured.
(a) Emergency power
and lighting are required in at least the operating, recovery, intensive care,
and emergency rooms, and stairwells. In all other areas not serviced by the
emergency power source, battery lamps and flashlights shall be
available.
(b) Emergency gas and
water supplies are required.
(3) Life Safety from Fire.
(a) A hospital is classified as Health Care
Occupancy and shall comply with the codes and standards adopted by the Board.
Facilities or portions of facilities built under the currently adopted codes
shall comply with the requirements for New Health Care Occupancies in the
currently adopted National
Fire Protection Association
101, Life Safety Code. Facilities or portions of facilities built
under previously adopted editions of the codes shall comply with the
requirements for Existing Health Care Occupancies in the currently adopted
Life Safety Code.
(b) The hospital shall have procedures for
the proper routine storage and prompt disposal of trash.
(c) The hospital shall have written fire
control plans containing provisions for prompt reporting of fires;
extinguishing fires; protection of patients, personnel and guests; evacuation;
and cooperation with fire fighting authorities. Written fire control plans
shall also meet the requirements of the currently adopted Life Safety
Code for fire drills, evacuation and relocation, and procedures during
fire emergencies. Fires shall be reported to the Department's Technical
Services Unit within 24 hours of the occurrence.
(d) The hospital shall maintain written
evidence of regular inspection and approval by state or local fire control
agencies.
(e) Roller latches are
prohibited on doors separating corridors from adjacent spaces.
(f) Emergency lighting shall provide
illumination in accordance with the currently adopted Life Safety
Code for at least 90 minutes.
(g) Alcohol-based hand rub dispensers shall
be installed in a manner that:
1. Minimizes
leaks and spills.
2. Adequately
protects against inappropriate access.
3. Complies with the requirements of the
Life Safety
Code.
(4) Facilities. The hospital shall
maintain adequate facilities for its services.
(a) Diagnostic and therapeutic facilities
shall be located for the safety of patients.
(b) Facilities, supplies, and equipment shall
be maintained to ensure an acceptable level of safety and quality.
(c) The extent and complexity of facilities
shall be determined by the services offered.
(d) There shall be proper ventilation, light,
and temperature controls in pharmaceutical, food preparation, and other
appropriate areas.
(5)
Submission of Plans and Specifications.
(a)
New Facilities, Additions, and Alterations. Plans and specifications shall be
submitted for review and approval to the Department in accordance with the
Board's Rules for Submission of Plans and Specifications for Health Care
Facilities, Chapter 420-5-22, Ala. Admin. Code. This
is required for any building that is intended to contain a hospital, and for
additions and alterations to existing facilities.
(b) Minor alterations and remodeling which do
not affect the structural integrity of the building, which do not alter
functional operation, which do not affect fire safety, and which do not add
beds over those for which the facility is licensed, need not be submitted for
approval.
(6)
Inspections. The Board and its authorized representatives shall have access to
all facilities for inspection.
(7)
Remodeling.
(a) The remodeled area of
existing facilities shall be upgraded to comply with the current requirements
for new construction.
(b) Any
remodeling to existing facilities shall not diminish the level of safety which
existed prior to the start of the work.
Rule .05 was renumbered to .07 as per certification filed
August 24, 2012; effective September 28,
2012.
Author: W.T. Geary, Jr., M.D., Carter
Sims
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, §§
22-21-20,
et seq.
