La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-4445

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-4445 - General Requirements

A. General Provisions

1. The outpatient abortion facility shall be designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect the health and safety of patients, personnel, and the public at all times.

2. The outpatient abortion facility shall meet the provisions for physical environment under this Section, unless otherwise noted herein.

3. For the purposes of this Section, major renovations are defined as such renovations that affect the alteration to the functionality or original design of the facility's construction. Painting walls, re-tiling floors, installation of carpet, repairing roof damage or reroofing are not considered to be major renovations for purposes of this Section.

4. A separate waiting area shall be provided that is sufficient in size to provide seating space for patients, staff, and visitors of the patient.

5. Toilet facility's for patients, staff, and visitors shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of LAC Title 51, Public Health-Sanitary Code.

a. Every toilet room shall contain at least one water closet and one lavatory. Such toilet facility's shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with the requirements of LAC Title 51, Public Health-Sanitary Code.

b. Hot and cold water delivered through a mixing faucet, soap, and mechanical hand drying devices and/or disposable paper towels shall be provided at all hand washing lavatories/stations.

c. Showers or shower/tub combinations, if provided, shall meet the requirements of LAC Title 51, Public Health-Sanitary Code.

6. Additional General Provisions. For outpatient abortion facility's that receive their initial outpatient abortion license after the effective date of the promulgation of this Rule, receive plan review approval for major renovations after the effective date of the promulgation of this Rule or change their geographical address after the effective date of the promulgation of this Rule, the following additional general provisions shall apply:

a. flooring in all patient areas shall be readily cleanable, monolithic and joint free, and slip-resistant;

b. wall finishes in all patient areas shall be smooth, moisture resistant, washable, and free of fissures, open joints, or crevices that may retain or permit passage of dirt particles; and

c. wall bases in all patient areas shall be monolithic and coved with the floor, tightly sealed to the wall, and constructed without voids.

B. Signage. The outpatient abortion facility shall provide:

1. an exterior sign that can be viewed by the public. The sign shall contain, at a minimum, the doing business as name of the facility as it appears on the outpatient abortion facility license issued by the department;

2. clearly identifiable and distinguishable signs for outpatient abortion facility's operating within another facility which shall comply with the provisions of applicable state laws, rules, and regulations.

C. Procedure Room

1. Abortion procedures shall be performed in a segregated procedure room, removed from general traffic lines with a minimum clear floor area of 120 square feet, exclusive of vestibule, toilets or closets.

2. There shall be a hand-washing station within each procedure room and within each post-anesthesia recovery area. Fixtures shall not encroach upon any required egress path or other required clear dimension.

D. Post-Anesthesia Recovery Area

1. The outpatient abortion facility shall have a separate post-anesthesia recovery area with a minimum clear recovery area with a minimum clear area of 2 feet, 6 inches around the three sides of each stretcher or lounge chair for work and circulation.

2. The outpatient abortion facility shall have a nurses station equipped with a countertop, space for supplies, provisions for charting, and a communication system. The nursing station shall be arranged to provide for direct visual observation of all traffic into the recovery area.

E. Equipment and Supply Storage Area. For outpatient abortion facility's that receive their initial outpatient abortion license after the effective date of the promulgation of this Rule, receive plan review approval for major renovations after the effective date of the promulgation of this Rule, or change their geographical address after the effective date of the promulgation of this Rule, the outpatient abortion facility shall have:

1. a soiled utility room which contains a utility sink, a work counter, a hand washing station, waste receptacle(s), and a space for soiled linen or equipment;

a. a designated separate space shall be provided for soiled materials storage;

b. soiled materials shall not be stored or transported through the clean laundry area;

2. a clean utility room which is used for clean or sterile supplies;

3. an equipment and supply storage room with sufficient floor space for equipment and supplies used in the procedure room which shall not encroach upon any required egress path or other required clear dimension;

4. at least one stretcher and one wheelchair for patient use; and

5. sufficient pathway to accommodate the usage of a stretcher and a wheelchair

F. If the outpatient abortion facility maintains an in-house laundry, the areas shall be designed in accordance with infection control standards and LAC Title 51, Public Health-Sanitary Code, as applicable.

G. Forced Abortion Prevention Signage. Each outpatient abortion facility shall ensure a sign is obtained from the department in accordance with the Forced Abortion Prevention Sign Act.

1. Display. The sign shall be posted on the licensed premises and shall be clearly visible to patients. The sign provided shall be conspicuously posted in each patient admission area, waiting room, and patient consultation room used by patients on whom abortions are performed, induced, prescribed for, or who are provided with the means for an abortion.

H. National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. Each outpatient abortion facility shall post information regarding the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-4445

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 41704 (4/1/2015).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:2175.1 et seq.