7 AAC 12 — Facilities and Local Units (Article 1 to 12)

(a) A full-service hospice agency shall develop an organized program to provide spiritual, emotional, bereavement, and other counseling services under the supervision of a qualified professional. Counseling services may include the provision of written material, social reorientat…

(a) A full-service or volunteer hospice agency shall require each volunteer and each direct service provider(1) to submit a written application; (2) to undergo a screening interview and an interview after training; (3) to receive the orientation and training required(A) under (b)…

(a) A hospice agency shall establish and maintain a clinical record for each client receiving care and services. The record must provide for identification, security, confidentiality, control, retrieval, and preservation of client care data and information. Each clinical record m…

A hospice agency shall have an employee health program that meets the requirements of 7 AAC 12.650. The agency shall require contractors and volunteers performing patient care or services for the agency to meet the requirements of 7 AAC 12.650. Notes 7 AAC 12.340 Eff. 5/24/2007, …

A hospice agency shall develop and implement written policies and procedures applicable to all agency staff that (1) minimize the risk of transmitting infection in all client care or services; and (2) provide for the safe handling and disposal of pathological, biohazardous, or in…

(a) A full-service hospice agency is subject to this section unless the agency provides inpatient care on agency premises. An agency that provides inpatient care on agency premises shall comply with 7 AAC 12.730. A hospice agency that is subject to this section shall maintain a s…

(a) A full-service hospice agency is subject to this section unless the agency provides inpatient care on agency premises. An agency that provides inpatient care on agency premises shall comply with 7 AAC 12.680. A hospice agency that is subject to this section shall develop poli…

If a hospice agency contracts with another entity or agent to perform services for or provide resources to the agency, the agency shall monitor and control those services and resources. In addition to meeting the requirements of 7 AAC 12.910, the agency shall ensure that the cont…

In 7 AAC 12.310 - 7 AAC 12.349, unless the context requires otherwise, (1) "advance health care directive" means an instruction described in AS 13.52 regarding the provision or nonprovision of health care; (2) "agency" means hospice agency; (3) "bereavement counseling" means emot…

A facility that is not a part of a hospital, nor part of a physician's general medical practice, and that operates primarily for the purpose of providing surgical services to patients who do not require hospitalization is an ambulatory surgical center and must comply with 7 AAC 1…

The ambulatory surgical center medical staff shall (1) recommend to the governing body the appointment of and the medical and surgical privileges for each member of the medical staff annually, or if approved by the governing body, biennially; (2) ensure that each patient is under…

An ambulatory surgical facility shall provide the following services: (1) surgical services that meet the following requirements:(A) a registered nurse with knowledge and experience in surgical techniques and procedures shall have supervisory responsibility for the surgical suite…

(a) The following emergency equipment must be available in the operating rooms: (1) an emergency call system; (2) equipment for the delivery of oxygen; (3) mechanical ventilatory assistance equipment, including airways in a range of sizes, and a manual breathing bag; (4) a cardia…

An ambulatory surgical center that provides labor and delivery services shall provide a separate and individual suite for those services. Notes 7 AAC 12.365 Eff. 11/19/83, Register 88; am 3/17/2022, Register 241, April 2022 Authority:AS 18.50.040 AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.030

An ambulatory surgical facility may perform a voluntary termination of pregnancy if (1) it receives written authorization from a competent patient, or, if a patient is not competent, from the patient's legal representative; (2) it has evidence of a verified pregnancy test; (3) th…

(a) Subject to (b) of this section, the department will consider an entity to be a free-standing birth center if the entity(1) is a publicly or privately owned facility, place, or institution that is constructed, renovated, leased, rented, or otherwise established; (2) is a place…

(a) A birth center may provide midwifery services only to a woman who is a low-risk maternal client under 7 AAC 12.446. (b) If the midwife providing midwifery services in a birth center is a (1) direct-entry midwife, the birth center shall ensure that the direct-entry midwife pro…

Before providing services, a free-standing birth center must have a current license issued under 7 AAC 12.605 - 7 AAC 12.610. In addition to meeting the requirements of 7 AAC 12.605 - 7 AAC 12.610, the applicant shall provide the following information with the initial application…

(a) A birth center must have a governing body that is responsible for the overall operation and maintenance of the birth center, including personnel, facilities, equipment, and supplies. The birth center shall (1) ensure that its governing body includes one or more individuals wh…

(a) In addition to meeting the requirements of 7 AAC 12.660, a birth center shall ensure that sufficient, qualified clinical staff and support staff are on duty and on call for the routine delivery of services needed by clients and newborns, and for the safe maintenance and opera…

(a) A birth center must develop and implement written policies and procedures for client management that are approved by the governing body and that include (1) policies and procedures to ensure that eligibility for birth services offered by the birth center is limited to low-ris…

(a) The birth center shall develop and implement a program for evaluating and improving the quality of(1) direct care services to childbearing families; and (2) the environment in which services are provided. (b) The birth center shall (1) include in its evaluation and improvemen…

(a) A birth center must have and observe written policies and procedures for (1) receiving, transcribing, and implementing orders for the administration of drugs; (2) labeling of every drug, medication, and chemical in the center with its name, strength, and expiration date; and …

(a) A birth center shall keep records for all clients admitted. Originals, or accurate reproductions of the contents of the originals, of all records, including x-rays, must be maintained in a form that is legible and uniform, contains complete and accurate client and newborn inf…

(a) A birth center shall ensure that sufficient supplies and equipment are maintained in a convenient area and immediately available for the care of maternal clients and newborns. Supplies and equipment must include (1) an emergency cart or tray for the client that(A) is equipped…

(a) A birth center must have at least one birth room that is adequate to provide for the equipment, staff, supplies, and emergency procedures required for the physical and emotional care of a client, her support person, and the newborn during birth, labor, and the recovery period…

(a) Any renovation, expansion, or new construction must comply with (1) the requirements of Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities, American Institute of Architects, 2001 edition, secs. 1 - 6 and sec. 9, adopted by reference; (2)7 AAC 09.010…

For purposes of 7 AAC 12.401 - 7 AAC 12.449, the department will consider a woman who seeks the services of a free-standing birth center to be a low-risk maternal client if, based on physical examinations and risk assessments conducted in accordance with the standards developed u…

In 7 AAC 12.401 - 7 AAC 12.449, unless the context requires otherwise, (1) "active labor" has the meaning given "active phase" in this section; (2) "active phase" means the second phase in the first stage of labor when contractions are regular and occurring frequently, and the ce…

(a) The department will consider a rural health clinic, including a community health center and a federally qualified health center, to be a frontier extended stay clinic subject to the applicable requirements of this chapter if the department finds that the clinic is a permanent…

(a) In addition to complying with the requirements of 7 AAC 12.600(a) and (h), a frontier extended stay clinic must comply with 7 AAC 12.450 - 7 AAC 12.490. (b) A frontier extended stay clinic must provide medical, radiological, laboratory, extended stay, and emergency services. …

(a) In addition to complying with the requirements of 7 AAC 12.610, an individual seeking to operate a frontier extended stay clinic must provide, as part of the application for a license, (1) the name of each individual with ownership or control of the clinic; (2) a description …

(a) At least once each year, a frontier extended stay clinic must evaluate, or arrange for evaluation of, its total program to determine whether (1) the utilization of services was appropriate; (2) established policies were followed; and (3) any changes are needed. (b) The evalua…

(a) A frontier extended stay clinic must have the medical staff necessary to provide the care and services required in 7 AAC 12.453. (b) The medical staff shall develop, for approval by the governing body of the clinic, bylaws and rules that provide for (1) eligibility for medica…

(a) In addition to complying with the requirements of 7 AAC 12.660(c), a frontier extended stay clinic must ensure that mid-level practitioners are involved in the orientation and in-service education program for patient care personnel. The in-service education program must be de…

(a) A frontier extended stay clinic must have ancillary services that include food, laundry, and housekeeping services in accordance with this section. (b) The clinic must maintain lavatories for handwashing, with hot and cold running water, soap, and disposable towels, convenien…

(a) A frontier extended stay clinic that dispenses drugs, chemicals, and biologicals must (1) employ a pharmacist on a regular or consultant basis; (2) procure and maintain a sufficient quantity of drugs, chemicals, and biologicals, consistent with the formulary developed and app…

(a) Radiology services furnished at a frontier extended stay clinic must be provided as direct services by clinic staff who have been trained, and are competent, in the proper and safe use of radiological equipment. (b) Radiological services may be performed only upon the order o…

A frontier extended stay clinic must have an approved laboratory and provide laboratory services essential to the immediate diagnosis and treatment of patients. The clinic must comply with the applicable requirements of 7 AAC 12.790 - 7 AAC 12.850. The services provided must at a…

(a) In addition to the applicable requirements of 7 AAC 12.770 (Medical Record Service), a frontier extended stay clinic must meet the requirements of this section. (b) The clinic must maintain its clinical record system in accordance with written policies and procedures, includi…

(a) A frontier extended stay clinic must provide emergency services necessary to meet the needs of its extended stay patients and outpatients. (b) Emergency services must be available 24 hours a day. (c) Equipment, supplies, drugs, chemicals, and biologicals used in treating emer…

(a) Any renovation, expansion, or new construction of a frontier extended stay clinic must comply with (1)AS 18.60.580-18.60.660; (2)AS 18.60.705-18.60.740; (3) the International Building Code, as adopted by reference in, and revised under, 13 AAC 50.020; and (4) the Internationa…

In 7 AAC 12.450 - 7 AAC 12.490, unless the context indicates otherwise, (1) "emergency medical technician" has the meaning given in AS 18.08.200; (2) "extended stay" means a stay of four hours or longer described in 7 AAC 12.450(a) (2); (3) "food" means a raw, cooked, or processe…

A public or private entity that is primarily engaged in the provision of skilled nursing care and therapeutic services, but not the treatment of mental illness, in a patient's home is a home health agency, and must comply with 7 AAC 12.500 - 7 AAC 12.590. Notes 7 AAC 12.500 Eff. …

(a) The department will survey each home health agency and each subunit of a home health agency at least annually to determine compliance with 7 AAC 12.500 - 7 AAC 12.590. (b) All records of a home health agency and its subunits must be available for inspection during regular bus…

(a) A home health agency must provide skilled nursing services and at least one of the following additional services: (1) physical therapy; (2) occupational therapy; (3) speech therapy; or (4) home health aide services. (b) A home health agency may provide additional services des…

(a) A home health agency must be organized under a governing body that assumes full legal authority and fiscal responsibility for the conduct of the agency. (b) The governing body shall (1) appoint a qualified administrator and regularly monitor the performance of the administrat…