Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 111 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
Chapter 111-8 - HEALTHCARE FACILITY REGULATION
Subject 111-8-4 - AMBULATORY SURGICAL TREATMENT CENTERS
Rule 111-8-4-.10 - Physical Plant and Operational Standards

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 111-8-4-.10

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

The following minimum physical plant and operational standards shall be met by an applicant or licensee as a prerequisite for the issuance and continuance of a permit to operate an ambulatory surgical treatment center. The failure of any licensee to comply with the minimum standards may result at any time in the denial, revocation, or suspension of licensure to operate an ambulatory surgical treatment center, pursuant to provisions of O.C.G.A. § 31-2-8, and these rules and regulations.

(a) Rooms and/or areas shall be planned and provided with sufficient space and equipment to provide for patient and visitor waiting area; presurgical examination and treatment; procedure rooms; patient recovery; and staff and administrative areas.

(b) The physical plant of the center shall meet all Federal, State and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations which apply to its location, construction, maintenance and operation.

(c) Equipment, electrical appliances, wiring, elevators, heating and cooling systems, surgery rooms and special service areas shall be constructed so as to assure the safety of all occupants. It shall be the responsibility of the governing body to assure that the center is in a safe condition at all times and that a fire inspection record is maintained on equipment, systems, and areas that may present a hazard to occupants.

(d) Except where additional requirements are specified herein, or are required by State or local ordinances or regulations, the construction of an ambulatory surgical treatment center shall meet the requirements for Health Care or Business Occupancies as specified in Chapter 10 and/or Chapter 13, as applicable, of the 1976 Life Safety Code, as currently adopted and amended by regulations of the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner, Chapter 120-3-3, March 1, 1979, and subsequent revisions thereto.

(e) Entrances for patients shall be connected to the public right-of-way by a hardsurfaced, unobstructed walkway in good repair. Handicapped patients confined to a wheel chair or otherwise impaired shall be able to access the center building without climbing any stairs or steps. A ramp with handrails over existing stairs or steps may be utilized in meeting this requirement. A hard-surfaced, unobstructed road or driveway for use by ambulances or other emergency fire or police vehicles shall run from at least one entrance of the building to the public right-of-way. The doorway of such entrance shall be immediately adjacent to the road or driveway.

(f) Ambulatory surgical services provided in multistory buildings shall be accessible by an elevator of adequate size to accommodate date a standard wheeled litter patient and two attendants. A stairway or ramp of adequate dimensions shall be available for transfer of a patient in case of power failure.

(g) All procedure rooms shall be constructed, equipped, and maintained to assure the safety of patients and personnel. The following requirements shall apply within the patient treatment/procedure rooms and adjoining areas:

1. Procedure rooms shall be designed and located to prevent traffic through them to any other part of the center;

2. The walls and floors in procedure rooms shall be of material that will permit frequent washing and cleaning;

3. Sterilizing equipment shall be provided within the center and shall be convenient to the procedure rooms;

4. Staff dressing rooms and scrubup facilities shall be convenient to the procedure rooms, and shall include a knee or elbow operated scrub sink, soap dispenser, and brushes;

5. An equipment cleanup area with adequate plumbing, including a sink with counter, shall be provided outside the procedure room;

6. Enclosed storage facilities for sterile supplies and equipment shall be provided within the procedure areas;

7. Scrub clothing worn by personnel outside the procedure area shall be changed before returning to the procedure area;

8. Locations using flammable anesthetic agents shall comply with the following:
(i) Floors, furniture and equipment in operating rooms shall be of electrically conductive material. Conductive flooring shall extend into contiguous rooms and at least ten (10) feet into the entrance traffic area.

(ii) Clean conductive footwear testing device shall be maintained in the procedure rooms.

(iii) An anesthesia supply and equipment storage room shall be provided within the procedure area.

(iv) Separate storage enclosures shall be provided for flammable gases and combustion supporting gases. Such enclosures shall be constructed of building material with a fire resistive rating of at least one hour and shall not communicate directly with anesthetizing locations or each other. Air shall be adequately exhausted by gravity or spark proof forced ventilation from the flammable storage enclosure to the exterior of the building at a rate of not less than two (2) changes per hour. Storage enclosures for combustion supporting gases of less than 1500 cubic feet cylinder capacity need not be vented to the outside. Flammable materials such as fabrics, rubber and wood shall not be stored in these enclosures.

(v) Clothing generating large amounts of static electricity shall be prohibited in the procedure rooms.

9. Locations using flammable anesthetic agents shall be identified by prominently posted signs at all entrances to the procedure room and within the location signifying the type of anesthetics used.

(h) Toilet facilities shall be accessible to patients from the treatment, examining and recovery areas. Convenient handwashing facilities shall be provided for both staff and patients, and shall be provided with soap, disposable towels and dispensers. The use of common towels is prohibited.

(i) Emergency life support equipment shall be available for immediate use, in patient treatment areas. Such equipment shall include, but not necessarily be limited to the following: suction, IV fluids, oxygen, needles, intracatheters, medications, and ventilatory equipment such as ambu bags, oral and nasal airways and endotracheal tubes. Facilities providing general anesthesia shall also have a defibrillator and tracheotomy equipment and supplies.

(j) All medical gases shall be stored in accordance with Bulletin 56A of the National Fire Protection Association.

(k) All plumbing shall be designed and installed in accordance with State laws and local ordinances.

(l) The center shall be arranged and organized in such a manner as to ensure the comfort, safety, hygiene, privacy, and dignity of patients treated therein.

(m) Equipment for sterilizing instruments and supplies shall be conveniently located and of adequate capacity for the workload. Records shall be maintained to assure quality control, including date, time and temperature of each batch of sterilized supplies and equipment.

(n) Medicines shall be stored in a conveniently located cabinet with lock, and only licensed persons shall have access.

(o) Clean and soiled utility rooms shall be arranged and provided with equipment necessary for proper patient care, including sterilizers, storage cabinets and work counters.

(p) Each center shall provide one or more recovery rooms or areas staffed by qualified personnel. The recovery area shall be adequate for the numbers of patients scheduled. Separate recovery areas and/or cubicle curtains shall be provided for patient privacy, when appropriate.

O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2-4et seq. and 31-7-1 et seq.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.