The purpose of the following construction regulations in WAC 246-335-726 through 246-335-768 is to provide minimum standards for a safe, homelike, and effective patient care environment in hospice care centers consistent with other applicable rules without redundancy and contradictory requirements. Rules allow flexibility in achieving desired outcomes and enable hospice care centers to respond to changes in technologies and health care innovations. Compliance with these rules do not relieve the hospice of the need to comply with applicable state and local building and zoning codes. Where differences in interpretations occur, the hospice will follow the most stringent requirement.

(1) These rules apply to all construction as defined in WAC 246-335-710.

(2) The requirements in WAC 246-335-726 through 246-335-768 in effect at the time the application, fee, and construction documents are submitted to the department for review will apply for the duration of the construction project.