South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-12 - STANDARDS FOR LICENSING ABORTION CLINICS
Part VIII - DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Section 61-12.VIII.807 - Physical Facilities

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-12.VIII.807

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

A. An adequate number of examination/procedure rooms shall be provided. A procedure room shall be sized, shaped, and arranged to allow unfettered movement for all persons involved in the procedure.

B. Each procedure room shall be provided:

1. A suitable gynecological procedure table;

2. Equipment necessary to treat patients for hemorrhage, shock, cardiac arrest and other emergencies (an emergency "crash" cart in the immediate vicinity is acceptable); (I)

C. An area shall be provided for use by nurses in preparing medications for patients and keeping patient medical records. A room or cabinets shall be provided for storing medications and shall be kept locked except when medications are being prepared for administering. Narcotics shall be double-locked. An adequate supply of drugs shall be on hand at all times.

D. An adequate number of recovery room(s) or area(s) shall be provided. There shall be clear space on both sides and at the foot of each recovery bed/recliner to allow unencumbered movement by staff and patients.

1. There shall be a toilet room immediately accessible from the recovery area. This room shall contain a commode with grab bars or recessed hand-holds and handwashing lavatory, operable without the use of hands, soap dispenser with soap, and paper towel dispensers with paper towels, or hot air dryer;

2. There shall be a signal system for each patient bath and toilet that shall include an audible alarm that can be heard and location identified by staff;

3. There shall be a readily accessible safe and sanitary storage area for patients' clothing and personal effects;

4. There must be provisions to afford privacy upon request of a patient, e.g., curtains, screens, private room.

E. A room for the temporary storage of soiled linen and waste in covered containers shall be provided. This room shall be provided with at least 10 air changes per hour with all air continuously exhausted to the outside.

F. There must be an area to accommodate the sterilization procedures as described in Section602. There shall be sufficient surgical instruments sterilized and available for each patient who presents herself for abortion. The area shall be arranged to prevent cross traffic of clean and dirty material. Air flow in this area shall be from the "clean" area toward the "dirty" area.

G. Suitable dressing room space shall be provided for physicians and nursing staff. Scrub facilities shall be provided and located conveniently to the procedure room(s).

H. Procedure and recovery room(s) shall be located on an exit access corridor that provides unimpeded, rapid access to an exit of the building. This exit must accommodate emergency transportation vehicles and equipment.

I. In multi-storied buildings where the facility is not located on the floor of entry to/exit from the building, there must be at least one elevator that serves the clinic floor(s). The elevator must accommodate emergency transportation equipment.

J. Adequate fixed or portable work surface areas shall be maintained for use in each procedure room.

K. Doors providing access into the facility and procedure room(s) shall be at least 36 inches wide to accommodate maneuvering of ambulance stretchers and wheelchairs and other emergency equipment. All corridors shall be at least 48 inches wide.

L. Heating and ventilation.

1. Lighting, heating, and ventilation systems shall comply with local and state codes. There shall be approved equipment capable of maintaining a minimum temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit in patient areas.

2. The procedure room(s) and the recovery room(s) shall be provided a minimum of six air changes per hour. Air supplied to all areas shall be filtered through filters of at least 25 percent efficiency rating.

3. Mechanically operated systems shall be used to supply air to and exhaust air from soiled workrooms or soiled storage areas, janitor's closets, toilet rooms, and from spaces that are not provided with operable windows or outside doors.

M. The entrance shall be at grade level or above, be sheltered from the weather, and accommodate wheelchairs.

N. There shall be adequate storage areas for supplies and other storage. Sterile supplies shall be stored separate from other supplies.

O. One or more janitor's closets shall be provided throughout the facility as required to maintain a clean and sanitary environment. Each shall contain a floor receptor or service sink and storage space for housekeeping equipment and supplies.

P. A clean work area shall contain space for handwashing and clean storage and may include clean linen storage.

Q. There shall be at least two exits remote from each other.

R. Items such as drinking fountains, machines, and portable equipment or any other items shall not be located in the required exit corridors to restrict corridor traffic.

S. Thresholds and expansion joint covers shall be made sufficiently flush with the floor surface to accommodate wheeled service carts, wheelchairs, gurneys, etc.

T. All corridor glazing materials that extend within 18 inches of the floor shall be of safety glass, plastic, wireglass, or other material that will resist breaking and will not create dangerous cutting edges when broken. Safety glass or plastic glazing materials shall be used for any shower doors or bath enclosures.

U. Cubicle curtains and draperies shall be noncombustible or rendered flame retardant.

V. Wall finishes shall be washable and, in the immediate area of plumbing fixtures, shall be smooth and moisture resistant.

W. Wall bases in soiled equipment and material workrooms and other areas that are frequently subject to wet cleaning methods shall be tightly sealed and constructed without voids that can harbor insects.

X. Floor and wall penetrations by pipes, ducts, and conduits shall be tightly sealed to minimize entry of rodents and insects. Joints of structural elements shall be similarly sealed.

Y. Interior finish materials shall comply with the Standard Building Code requirements for "business occupancy."

Z. Adequate space shall be provided for reception, waiting, interviewing, administrative, and business office functions. Space provided for interviewing and admitting shall be located and designed to provide privacy.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina 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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