1. (a) The licensee shall maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary environment, both inside and outside the facility.
2. (b) The birthing center shall have and maintain a source of potable water available for human consumption and food preparation.
3. (c) All furniture, floors, ceilings, walls, and fixtures shall be kept clean, sanitary, and in good repair at all times.
4. (d) All bathrooms shall have non-porous floors.
5. (e) All patient bathing and toileting facilities shall be cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to prevent illness or contamination.
6. (f) A supply of hot and cold running water shall be available at all times and precautions, such as temperature regulation, shall be taken to prevent a scalding injury to the patients.
7. (g) Hot water shall be of a high enough temperature to ensure sanitation and food safety when used for food preparations.
8. (h) Birthing center personnel shall clean and disinfect bedpans, commodes, basins, fixtures, toilets, and showers or tubs after each use.

9. (i) If equipment or supplies need to be sterilized in order to prevent contamination, the birthing center shall develop and maintain written procedures for cleaning, packaging, and sterilizing, including:

   1. (1) Testing and documenting the sterilization processes used; and
   2. (2) Documentation when supplies are outdated.
10. (j) The sterilization system required in (i) above shall be checked for effective sterilization in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation, and the results of these quality control tests shall be documented and available on site for review by the department.

11. (k) Sterile supplies and equipment shall:

    1. (1) Be stored in dust-proof, moisture-free storage areas; and
    2. (2) Not be mixed with non-sterile supplies.
12. (l) Cleaning solutions, compounds, and substances considered hazardous or toxic materials as defined in RSA 147-A:2, VII, shall be distinctly labeled and legibly marked so as to identify the contents and stored in a place such as a locked closet or cabinet, separate from food, medications, and patient supplies.
13. (m) Toxic materials shall not be used in a way that contaminates food, equipment, or utensils, or in any way other than in full compliance with the manufacturer’s labeling.
14. (n) In-house trash and garbage receptacles shall be insect and rodent proof, water tight, lined or cleaned, and disinfected after emptying and kept covered except when in use.
15. (o) Trash receptacles in food service areas shall be covered.
16. (p) There shall be a designated work area for soiled materials and linens that contains a work counter of at least 6 linear feet, a sink, and a storage area.
17. (q) A supply of clean linens shall be stored in a clean area separated from soiled linens and available in sufficient amounts to meet the needs of the patients.
18. (r) Soiled materials, linens, and clothing shall be handled as little as possible and transported in a laundry bag, sack, or a covered container and washed in a sanitizing solution used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
19. (s) Soiled linens and clothing, which would be considered contaminated with infectious waste shall be handled as infectious waste.

20. (t) Laundry rooms shall have non-porous floors and be kept separate from the kitchen and eating

    areas.

21. (u) Clean linen shall be stored in a clean area and shall be separate from soiled linens at all times.
22. (v) Only individuals authorized by RSA 430:33 may apply pesticides, as defined by RSA 430:29, XXVI, in food storage, food preparation, or dining areas.
23. (w) Solid waste, garbage, and trash shall be stored in a manner to make it inaccessible to insects, rodents, and outdoor animals.
24. (x) In-house trash and garbage receptacles shall be emptied in a timely manner and lined or cleaned and disinfected after emptying or when visibly soiled.
25. (y) Any birthing center that has its own water supply and whose water has been tested and failed to meet the acceptable levels identified in this section, or as required by the department of environmental services, shall notify the department.
26. (z) Sterile or clean supplies shall be stored in dust and moisture-free storage containers.

Source. #8957, eff 7-27-07, EXPIRED: 7-27-15 New. #11039, INTERIM, 2-24-16, EXPIRES: 8-22-16; ss by #11161, eff 8-20-16; ss by #14074, eff 9-20-24, EXPIRES: 9-20-34 (formerly He-P 810.21)