R432-9. Specialty Hospital - Rehabilitation Construction Rule  


R432-9-1. Legal Authority
Latest version.

This rule is adopted pursuant to Title 26, Chapter 21.


R432-9-2. Purpose
Latest version.

The purpose of this rule is to promote the public health and welfare through the establishment of construction standards for rehabilitation hospitals.


R432-9-3. General Design Requirements
Latest version.

R432-4-1 through 22 apply to this rule.


R432-9-4. General Construction Ancillary Support Facilities
Latest version.

R432-4-23 applies with the following modifications:

(1) Corridors in patient use areas shall be a minimum eight feet wide.

(2) Handrails shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines and located on both sides of hallways and corridors used by patients.

(a) The top of the rail shall be 34-38 inches above the floor, except for areas serving children and other special care areas.

(b) Ends of handrails and grab bars shall be constructed to prevent persons from snagging their clothes.

(3) Standards for the Disabled. All fixtures in all toilet and bath rooms, except those in the activities for daily living unit, shall be wheelchair accessible with wheelchair turning space within the room.

(4) Plumbing.

(a) Oxygen and suction systems shall be installed to serve 25 percent of all patient beds.

(b) Installation shall be in accordance with R432-4 and NFPA 99.

(c) Systems serving additional patient beds are optional.

(5) Emergency Electrical Service.

(a) An on-site emergency generator shall be provided.

(b) The following services shall be connected to the emergency generator:

(i) life safety branch, as defined in section 517-32 of the National Electric Code NFPA 70;

(ii) critical branch, as defined in 517-33 of the National Electrical Code NFPA 70;

(iii) equipment system, as defined in section 517-34 of the National Electric Code NFPA 70;

(iv) telephone;

(v) nurse call;

(vi) heating equipment necessary to provide adequate heated space to house all patients under emergency conditions;

(vii) one duplex convenience outlet in each patient room;

(viii) one duplex convenience outlet at each nurse station;

(ix) duplex convenience outlets in the emergency heated area at a ratio of one for each ten patients.


R432-9-5. General Construction, Patient Facilities
Latest version.

(1) The requirements of R432-4-24 and the requirements of Sections 2.1 and 2.6 of Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities (Guidelines) 2010 edition shall be met except as modified in this rule. Where a modification is cited, the modification supersedes conflicting requirements of R432-4-24 and the Guidelines.

(2) Other Required Units, Guidelines section 2.6-3.2 is modified to allow psychological services, social services, and vocational services to share the same office space when the licensee provides evidence in the functional program that the needs of the population served are met in the proposed space arrangement.

(3) Rehabilitation Nursing Unit, Section 2.6-2.2 is modified as follows:

(a) Fixtures in patient rooms shall be wheelchair accessible.

(b) Patient rooms shall contain space for wheelchair storage separate from normal traffic flow areas.

(c) Toilet room doors shall swing out from the toilet room or shall be double acting.

(d) Patient rooms shall provide each patient a wardrobe, closet, or locker, having minimum clear dimensions of 22 inches by 36 inches, suitable for hanging full-length garments. A clothes rod and adjustable shelf shall be provided.

(4) A clean workroom or clean holding room shall be provided for preparing patient care items which shall contain a counter, handwashing facilities, and storage facilities. The work counter and handwashing facilities may be omitted in rooms used only for storage and holding, as part of a larger system for distribution of clean and sterile supply materials.

(5) A soiled workroom shall be provided containing a clinical sink, a sink equipped for handwashing, a work counter, waste receptacles, and a linen receptacle. The work counter and handwashing facilities may be omitted in rooms used only for storage and holding.

(6) In addition to Guideline Section 2.6-2.2.6.6, the medicine preparation room or unit shall be under visual control of the nursing staff and have the following:

(a) a minimum area of 50 square feet,

(b) a locking mechanism to prohibit unauthorized access.

(7) Each nursing unit shall have equipment to provide ice for patient treatment and nourishment.

(a) Ice-making equipment may be located in the clean workroom or at the nourishment station if access is controlled by staff.

(b) Ice intended for human consumption shall be dispensed by self-dispensing ice makers.

(8) Yard equipment and supply storage areas shall be located so that equipment may be moved directly to the exterior without passing through building rooms or corridors.


R432-9-6. Exclusions from the Guidelines
Latest version.

The following sections of the Guidelines do not apply:

(1) Linen services, Section 2.6-5.2.

(2) Patient Storage section 2.6-2.2.2.8(2).


R432-9-7. Penalties
Latest version.

The Department may assess a civil money penalty of up to $10,000 and deny approval for patient utilization of new or remodeled areas if a health care provider does not submit architectural drawings to the Bureau of Licensing. The Department may assess a civil money penalty of up to $10,000 if the licensee fails to follow Department-approved architectural plans. The Department may assess a civil money penalty of up to $1,000 per day for each day a new or renovated area is occupied prior to licensing agency approval.