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 111-8-7 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR BIRTH CENTERS
Rule 111-8-7-.01 - Definitions

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 111-8-7-.01

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

Unless a different meaning is required by the context, the following terms as used in these rules and regulations shall have the meaning hereinafter respectively ascribed to them:

(a) "Administrator" means the individual who is responsible for the day to day management of the center.

(b) "Birth Center", "Birthing Center" or "Center" means a facility, other than the laboring woman's legal residence, which admits persons for the purpose of childbearing and which facility has not been classified and licensed by the Department as a hospital.

(c) "Birth Room" means any room within a center which is provided as an area where births take place.

(d) "Certified Nurse Midwife" means an individual who is a Registered Nurse currently licensed in the State of Georgia and who is also certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives.

(e) "Department" means the Georgia Department of Community Health.

(f) "General Anesthesia" means any drug, element or other material which is administered to eliminate all sensation and which, when administered, is accompanied by a state of unconsciousness.

(g) "Governing Body" or "Management" means the board of directors, trustees, partnership, corporation, association, or person or group of persons who maintain and control the operation of the center and who are legally responsible for its operation.

(h) "Hospital" means any facility which meets the requirements of and is currently licensed as a hospital under the provisions of OCGA Chapter 31-7, Article 1, and is in compliance with all rules and regulation of the Department pertaining to Maternity, Obstetrics and Newborn services.

(i) "Local Anesthesia" means any drug which, when administered, provides localized temporary loss of sensation, but not accompanied by a state of unconsciousness.

(j) "Low Risk Patient" means an individual who:

1. is in general good health with uncomplicated prenatal course;

2. is participating in an ongoing prenatal care and education program;

3. has no major medical problems;

4. has no significant signs or symptoms of hypertension, toxemia, hydramnios, abruptio placenta, chorioamnionitis, malformed fetus, multiple gestation, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal meconium, fetal distress, alcoholism, or drug addiction, Rh or other blood group antigen sensitization;

5. has no history of fetal wastage or premature delivery;

6. has no previous significant obstetrical complications likely to recur, nor previous uterine wall surgery or Caesarean section;

7. has parity under six unless a justification for a variation is documented by clinical staff;

8. is not a nullipara of greater than thirty six years of age;

9. is not less than sixteen years of age at onset of pregnancy;

10. is appropriate for a setting where anesthesia is limited to local infiltration of the perineum, or a pudendal block, and analgesia is limited;

11. while in active labor:
(i) demonstrates no significant signs, or symptoms, or evidence of anemia, significant hypertension, placenta previa, malpositioned fetus or breech;

(ii) is progressing normally;

(iii) is without prolonged ruptured membranes; and

(iv) is not in premature labor.

12. is not postmature.

(k) "Patient" means any woman who receives antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care, or any newborn who receives medical care, in facilities governed by these regulations.

(l) "Permit" or "License" means an authorization granted by the Department to the Governing Board to operate a birth center.

(m) "Physician" means an individual who is currently licensed to practice medicine in the State of Georgia and is board certified or board eligible in obstetrics, family practice or pediatrics.

(n) "Plan of Correction" means an acceptable written plan submitted to the Department by the person or persons responsible for the center and which states proposed procedures and methods to correct the areas of non-compliance within an acceptable time frame.

(o) "Practitioner" means a physician or a certified nurse midwife.

(p) "Professional Staff" means the group of physicians, certified nurse midwives, other registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other health professionals who require special licensure, certification or registration, who provide patient services at the center.

(q) "Provisional Permit" means an authorization granted by the Department to operate a birth center on a conditional basis in order to allow a newly established center a reasonable but limited period of time, as determined by the Department, to demonstrate that operational procedures are in satisfactory compliance with these rules and regulations, or to allow an established and operating center a specific length of time to comply with these regulations, provided said center shall first present an acceptable plan of correction.

(r) "Regional Anesthesia" means any drug, element or other material which, when administered, is accompanied by temporary sectional loss of sensation.

(s) "Special Care Capability" means availability of on-site equipment for use in providing emergency care to adult and newborn patients.

O.C.G.A. § 31-2-4; O.C.G.A. § 31-7-1; O.C.G.A. Chapter 31-7, Article 1.

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.
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