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Title: Section 713-2.5 - Nursing units

Effective Date

12/29/2010

713-2.5 Nursing units.

(a) The number of certified beds on a nursing unit shall not exceed sixty unless additional services are provided. At least two-thirds of the total certified beds in any facility shall be located in rooms designed for one or two beds. At least one-tenth of the total certified beds in any facility shall be located in single bedrooms, each equipped with a private bath and toilet.

(b) Each resident bedroom shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The maximum room capacity shall be four residents.

(2) The minimum room areas exclusive of toilet rooms, closets, lockers, wardrobes, alcoves, or vestibules shall be one hundred twenty five square feet in single bedrooms and one hundred square feet per bed in multi-bed rooms.

(3) Each room shall have a window that can be opened without the use of tools. The windowsills shall not be higher than three feet above the finished floor and shall be above grade.

(4) A nurses' calling system shall be provided.

(5) One lavatory shall be provided in each resident room. The lavatory may be omitted from a single or a double bedroom when a lavatory is located in an adjoining toilet room, which serves that room only.

(6) Each resident shall have access to a toilet room without entering the general corridor area. One toilet room shall serve no more than four certified beds and no more than two resident rooms. The toilet room shall contain a water closet and a lavatory. The lavatory may be omitted only from a toilet room that serves not more than two single bedrooms if each such single bedroom contains a lavatory.

(7) Each resident shall have a wardrobe, locker, or closet with minimum clear dimensions of one foot ten inches by one foot eight inches. An adjustable clothes rod and shelf shall be provided.

(8) Visual privacy shall be provided for each resident in multi-bed rooms with non-combustible cubicle curtains.

(9) No resident bedroom shall be located more than one hundred twenty feet from the soiled workroom or the soiled holding room, or the clean work room or clean holding room.

(c) The following service areas shall be located in or be readily available to each nursing unit:

(1) A nurses' station with space for nurses' charting, doctors' charting, and storage for administrative supplies.

(2) A lounge and toilet room(s) for nursing staff.

(3) Individual closets or compartments for the safekeeping of coats and personal effects of nursing personnel. These shall be located convenient to the duty station of personnel or in a central location.

(4) Nursing homes that do not have exclusively single bedrooms shall have a medical treatment and examination room for residents. This room shall have a minimum floor area of one hundred twenty square feet excluding space for vestibule, toilet, closets, and work counters, whether fixed or movable. The minimum room dimension shall be ten feet. The room shall contain a lavatory or sink equipped for handwashing; a work counter; storage facilities; and a desk, counter or shelf space for writing.

(5) A clean workroom with a work counter, handwashing, and storage facilities or a clean holding room that is part of a system for storage and distribution of clean and sterile supply materials. The clean holding room shall be similar to the clean workroom except that the work counter and handwashing facilities may be omitted.

(6) A soiled workroom that contains a clinical sink or equivalent flushing rim fixture, a sink equipped for handwashing, work counter, waste receptacle, and linen receptacle, or a soiled holding room that is part of an approved system for collection and disposal of soiled materials. The soiled holding room and shall be similar to the soiled workroom except that the clinical sink and work counter may be omitted.

(7) A medication preparation room, or self contained medication dispensing unit or a department approved medication dispensing system for the convenient and prompt twenty four hour distribution of medication to residents. If used, a medicine preparation room or unit shall be under the nursing staff's visual control and contain a work counter, refrigerator, and locked storage for biologicals and drugs. A medication dispensing unit may be located at the nurses' station, in the clean workroom, or in an alcove or other space under direct control of the nursing or pharmacy staff.

(8) A separate closet, designated area within the clean workroom or closed cart system for storage of clean linen. If a closed cart system is used, storage may be in an alcove.

(9) A nourishment station that contains a sink equipped for handwashing, equipment for serving nourishment between scheduled meals, a refrigerator and storage cabinets. Ice for residents' service and treatment shall be provided only by ice-maker dispenser units.

(10) A storage room for equipment such as intravenous stands, inhalators, air mattresses, and walkers.

(11) An area out of the path of normal traffic for parking for stretchers and wheelchairs.

(12) At least one bathtub or shower for every twelve beds in rooms that are not otherwise served by bathing facilities. At least one bathtub shall be provided in each nursing unit. Each tub or shower shall be in a room or enclosure with space for the private use of the bathing fixture, for drying and dressing, and for a wheelchair and an attendant. Showers in central bathing facilities shall be at least four feet square, without curbs and designed to permit use by a wheelchair bound resident.

(13) Facilities for the sterilization of equipment and supplies.

(d) Residents' toilet facilities shall comply with the following:

(1) The minimum dimensions of a room containing only a water closet shall be three feet by six feet; additional space shall be provided if a lavatory is located within the same room. Water closets must be conveniently located and usable by wheelchair bound residents.

(2) At least one room with a lavatory and water closet on each nursing floor shall be provided for toilet training. It shall be accessible from the nursing corridor. A clearance of three feet shall be provided at the front and at each side of the water closet.

(3) A toilet room shall be accessible to each central bathing area without going through the general corridor. This may be arranged to serve as the required toilet training facility.

Volume

VOLUME D (Title 10)

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