La. Admin. Code tit. 51 § XIX-103
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024
Section XIX-103 - Construction Requirements [formerly paragraph 19:002]A. Plans. No new hospital, ambulatory surgical center, or renal dialysis center shall hereafter be constructed, nor shall major alterations be made to existing hospitals, without the prior written approval of, and unless in accordance with plans and specifications approved in advance by, the state health officer. The review and approval of plans and specifications shall be made in accordance with the publication entitled: "Minimum Requirements of Construction and Equipment for Hospitals and Medical Facilities" [DHEW Publication No. (HRA) 79-14500], published by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Health Resources Administration, Bureau of Health Facilities Financing, Compliance and Conversion.B. [Formerly paragraph 19:005] Doors, Stairways, and Elevators. The building shall be provided with ramps, doors, corridors, and elevators to accommodate the handicapped. Stairways, ramps and elevators shall be provided with nonskid floors and surfaces, and shall have handrails on both sides located approximately 31 inches (78.7 cm) above the stair-tread on edge of riser and continue the length of stairway or ramp. All doors to the outside shall open outward and be provided with self-closing devices and be equipped with panic type hardware, unless automatic sliding doors are provided.C. Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Heating 1. [Formerly paragraph 19:006] All patient rooms shall be well ventilated and under positive pressure except for negative pressure rooms designated as such. Temperature, humidity, pressure and air exchange characteristics shall conform to the requirements in "Minimum Requirements on Construction and Equipment for Hospitals and Medical Facilities" [DHEW Publication No. (HRA) 79-14500] as they apply to specific areas of the building. The heating and cooling system shall be such type and maintained and operated in such a manner to provide a comfortable temperature for patients and personnel. The heating and cooling system shall also be constructed to conform to the requirements in "Minimum Requirements on Construction and Equipment for Hospitals and Medical Facilities" (DHEW Publication No. (HRA) 79-14500).2.a. [formerly paragraph 19:006-1] Persons with tuberculosis in a communicable state or suspected of having tuberculosis in a communicable state shall be cared for in isolation rooms with negative air pressure and either:i. at least six changes of room air per hour accomplished by exhaust ventilation; orii. equivalent circulation and treatment by ultraviolet light treatment, "air scrubber," or equivalent.b. If the patient is not in a room with proper ventilation and is unable or unwilling to cover their cough, then exposed persons shall wear proper masks, which filter all particles larger than 1 micron, in order to prevent the spread of infectious respiratory droplets.3. [formerly paragraph 19:006-2] Rooms used for aerosolized pentamidine treatments or for aerosol treatments designed to induce sputum shall have negative air pressure and at least six changes of room air per hour, accomplished by exhaust ventilation.D. [Formerly paragraph 19:007] Lighting and Wiring. Usable rooms and general areas of the building shall be lighted with a minimum of 20 foot-candles including rooms where food is prepared and handled. Emergency lighting shall be provided for surgery, delivery, nursery, emergency rooms, intensive care units and for patients requiring mechanical respirators, life support systems or monitoring equipment. Power outlets serviced by emergency power shall be distinguished from non-emergency outlets. The emergency generator shall be checked at least once weekly and records to insure proper operation and maintenance shall be kept for at least one year. Flash lights or battery operated lamps for emergency use shall be available at the nurses' station to hospital personnel and kept in operating condition.E. [Formerly paragraph 19:008] Toilet Facilities. Each patient shall have access to a toilet room without entering the general corridor area. One toilet room shall serve no more than four beds and no more than two patient rooms. The toilet room shall contain a water closet and a lavatory. The lavatory may be omitted from a toilet room which serves single-bed and two-bed rooms if each such patient's room contains a lavatory. Toilet room air shall be filtered or mechanically exhausted to the outside. This room shall be equipped with hot and cold water under pressure with detergent or antiseptic scrub and individual towels. Toilet rooms shall be provided with waste receptacles which shall remain covered.La. Admin. Code tit. 51, § XIX-103
Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, LR 28:1393 (June 2002), repromulgated LR 29:1099 (July 2003).AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:4 (A)(2)(10) and R.S. 40:5 (1)(2)(3)(10)(17).