A hospice care center applicant or licensee must meet the following general design elements for patient and family care and support areas as described in this chapter.

(1) Design of the hospice care center must take into account:

(a) The number of patient rooms planned which must not include more than twenty patient beds;

(b) The requirements for patient rooms as specified in WAC 246-335-756; and

(c) The family, personnel and public area requirements for space, which may include multiuse areas, as specified in WAC 246-335-760.

(2) A hospice care center may either be freestanding or a separate portion of another building.

(3) The hospice care center must have a separate external entrance, clearly identifiable to the public.

(4) If patient rooms are located above grade level, the hospice care center must have at least one elevator or lift designed for patient transport by gurney or equivalent.

(5) Doors must be designed with:

(a) Provisions for personnel, contractors, and volunteers to gain immediate emergency access to patient occupied rooms or areas;

(b) The ability to swing outward from patient toilet and bathing rooms or equipped with double acting or rescue door hardware; and

(c) Vision panels in all pairs of opposite swinging doors.

(6) Stairways must be designed with slip-resistant floor surfaces and ramps with slip-resistant or carpeted floor surfaces are required.

(7) Design and construction must address the prevention of entrance and infestation by pests.

(8) Interior finishes must be suitable to the function of an area including:

(a) Floors must be finished with:

(i) Easily cleanable or maintainable surfaces;

(ii) Slip-resistant surfaces at entrances and other areas;

(iii) Edges covered and top set base with toe at all wall junctures;

(b) Carpets are not permitted in toilets, bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, janitor closets, and other areas where flooding or infection control is an issue;

(c) Ceiling finishes must be easily cleanable or maintainable;

(d) Walls must be:

(i) Protected from impact in high traffic areas;

(ii) Finished with easily cleanable surfaces; and

(iii) Finished with water-resistant paint, glaze, or similar water-resistant finish extending above the splash line in all rooms or areas subject to splash or spray.

(9) The design must include space and adequate storage for facility drawings, records, and operation manuals.