Wash. Admin. Code § 212-44-005 - Definitions

The following definitions shall apply to this regulation:

(1) "Maternity home" means any home, place, hospital or institution in which facilities are maintained for the care of four or more women, not related by blood or marriage to the operator, during pregnancy or during or within ten days after delivery: Provided, however, That this regulation shall not apply to any hospital approved by the American College of Surgeons, American Osteopathic Association or its successor.

(2) "Licensing agency" means the Washington state department of social and health services.

(3) "Building official" means the person or agency appointed by the governing body of each city, town or county for the administration and enforcement of the Uniform Building Code, adopted by reference by the State Building Code Act.

(4) "Fire official" means the person or agency appointed by the governing body of each city, town or county for the administration and enforcement of the Uniform Fire Code, adopted by reference by the State Building Code Act.

(5) "Fire chief" means the chief of the fire department providing fire protection services to the child birth centers.

(6) "State Building Code Act" means chapter 19.27 RCW, effective January 1, 1975, which establishes statewide building and fire prevention codes and mandates enforcement by each city, town and county.

(7) "Ambulatory" means physically and mentally capable of walking a normal path to safety, including the ascent and descent of stairs.

(8) "Birth center" or "child birth center" means a type of maternity home which is a house, building, or equivalent, organized to provide facilities and staff to support a birth service: Provided, That the birth service includes or is limited to low-risk maternal clients during the intrapartum period.

(9) "Birthing room" means a room designed, equipped and arranged to provide for the care of a woman and newborn and to accommodate her support person(s) during the process of vaginal birth (the three stages of labor and recovery of a woman and newborn).

(10) "Birth service" means the prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care provided for individuals with uncomplicated pregnancy, labor, and vaginal birth, to include the newborn care during the recovery period.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 212-44-005

Statutory Authority: RCW 18.46.110. 80-15-077 (Order FM 80-1), § 212-44-005, filed 10/20/80; Order FM-77-3, § 212-44-005, filed 12/8/77.