Section 246-335-260. Electrical service and distribution.

A hospice care center applicant or licensee must provide general electrical service including:

(1) Tamperproof receptacles in patient rooms, toilets, and bathing facilities, and family, and public areas;

(2) Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle when located within five feet of water source and above counters that contain sinks;

(3) Emergency electrical service with:

(a) Adequate emergency lighting in patient rooms;

(b) At a minimum, provisions must be made for emergency lighting for means of egress; and

(c) Power, appropriate to provide continuous operation of life support equipment;

(4) Lighting fixtures with:

(a) Number, type, and location to provide illumination for the functions of each area;

(b) A reading light and control, conveniently located for patient use at each bed in the patient rooms; and

(c) Protective lens or protective diffusers on overhead light fixtures:

(i) Over patient beds;

(ii) In areas where patient care equipment and supplies are processed; and

(iii) In nourishment centers or kitchen areas;

(d) A night light or equivalent low level illumination;

(e) Night light switches and general illumination switches located adjacent to the opening side of patient room doors; and

(5) An electronic means of communication that notifies on-duty personnel, contractors, or volunteers and that must:

(a) Be located at the head of the bed in patient rooms and in all common areas accessible by the patients;

(b) Be physically or verbally accessible by patients slumped forward on the floors of either the toilet, bathing facility, or dressing room; and

(c) Consider the patient's communication needs.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.127 RCW. WSR 02-18-026, § 246-335-260, filed 8/23/02, effective 10/1/02.]

Chapter 70.127 RCW. WSR 02-18-026, § 246-335-260, filed 8/23/02, effective 10/1/02.