SECTION 310:661-8-5. Nursing unit

(a)   Patient rooms. Each room shall meet the following requirements.

(1)   Maximum room capacity shall be one (1) patient.

(2)   Minimum room area exclusive of toilet rooms, lockers, wardrobes, alcoves, or vestibules shall be one hundred twenty (120) square feet. There shall be a minimum of three (3) feet of clearance between beds and obstructions, such as walls. This minimum dimension shall not apply to the head of the bed.

(3)   Each room shall be located on an exterior wall and be provided with a window to the exterior. The maximum sill height for the window shall be three (3) feet above finished floor and also be located above exterior lot grade. Windows shall be provided with window coverings to ensure privacy.

(4)   Each patient bed shall be served by a nurse's call system and provided with an individual call device immediately accessible to patient, which shall register at the nurse's station. A nurse's call emergency device shall be provided for each patient toilet room, shower, and bathing room. The nurse's call system installed shall be one of the following types.

(A)   Conventional UL 1069 hardwired system; or,

(B)   Wireless system with individual call pendants or bracelets. These appliances shall activate notification devices at the nurse's station and individual pagers that are carried by staff at all times.

(5)   One (1) lavatory or disinfectant wash shall be provided for each patient room.

(6)   Each patient shall have access to a toilet room complying with accessibility requirements as determined by the ICC/ANSI A117.1. One (1) toilet room shall contain, at a minimum, a water closet and a lavatory.

(A)   Each patient room shall have access to a toilet room without entering or crossing the general corridor.

(B)   Toilet rooms shall be equipped with bedpan washing apparatus with flushing attachment and vacuum breaker.

(7)   There shall be a minimum of one (1) isolation rooms per hospice inpatient facility. Each room shall contain a lavatory and soap and disposable towel dispensers. Each isolation room shall have access to an accessible toilet room without entering the general corridor.

(8)   Each patient shall have a wardrobe, locker, or closet with minimum clear dimensions of one foot ten inches (1'-10") by one foot eight inches (1'-8"). A clothes rod and shelf shall be provided.

(9)   Patient rooms shall have general lighting and night lighting. A reading light shall be provided for each patient and at least one (1) light fixture for night lighting shall be switched at the entrance of each patient room. All electrical switches shall be of the quiet operating type.

(10)   Each patient shall be provided with a bed complete with springs and a mattress (not rollaway), a chair suitable for the patient, and a bedside table. Cots, sofas, rollaway or similar type beds shall not be used for patients but may be used by family members. A bedside table and over-bed table shall be available for each bedridden patient. A recliner suitable for sleeping shall be provided for each patient in each patient room. Guest rooms used for family member(s) shall be permitted, but shall not be used as patient rooms unless they meet the requirements for patient rooms.

(11)   No television surveillance system shall be used to monitor the interior of patient rooms or baths.

(b)   Service areas.

(1)   The size and disposition of each service area shall depend upon the number and types of beds to be served. Although identifiable spaces are required to be provided for each of the indicated functions, consideration will be given to design solutions, which would accommodate some functions without specific designation of areas or rooms. Details of such proposals shall be submitted for prior approval. Each service area may be arranged and located to serve more than one (1) nursing unit, but at least one (1) such service area shall be provided on each nursing floor. The service areas noted below shall be located in or readily available to each nursing unit:

(A)   Nurse's stations with space for nurses' charting, physician charting, and storage for administrative supplies. The distance from the nursing station to the most distant resident room shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) feet and this distance shall not be interrupted by physical barriers, such as closed fire doors.

(B)   A private physician's office shall be provided in each facility.

(C)   Lounge and toilet room(s) for nursing staff.

(D)   Clean workroom and clean holding room. These may be combined. The clean workroom shall contain a work counter, hand washing station, and storage facilities. The clean holding room shall be part of a system for storage and distribution of clean and sterile supply materials and shall be similar to the clean workroom except that the work counter and hand washing station may be omitted.

(E)   Clean linen storage area. This may be provided by a separate closet or fully enclosed area within the clean workroom.

(F)   Soiled workroom or soiled holding room. The soiled workroom shall contain a clinical sink or equivalent flushing rim fixture, sink equipped for hand washing, work counter, waste receptacle, and linen receptacle.

(G)   Nourishment station. This shall contain a sink equipped for hand washing, equipment for serving nourishment between scheduled meals, refrigerator, and storage cabinets. Ice for patients' service and treatment shall be located in the nourishment station on each floor and in the kitchen/dining area.

(H)   A family room shall be provided by the facility equipped with two (2) compartment sinks, cabinets, microwaves, soap and paper towel dispensers.

(I)   One (1) medical equipment storage room shall be provided on each floor.

(J)   Parking for stretchers and wheelchairs shall be located out of path or normal traffic.

(K)   Patients' bathing facilities. Bathtubs or showers shall be provided at the rate of one for each six (6) beds, which are not otherwise served by bathing facilities within patients' rooms. At least one (1) bathtub shall be provided in each nursing unit or floor. Whirlpool units, which are suitable for bathing purposes, shall be included in satisfying the requirement. Each tub or shower shall be in an individual room or enclosure, which provides space for private use, drying and dressing, and for a wheelchair and an attendant. All fixtures shall be accessible for the handicapped.

(L)   Janitor's closet containing a floor receptor or service sink and storage space for housekeeping equipment and supplies.

(c)   Sterilizing Facilities. The hospice inpatient facility shall make provisions for the sterilization of equipment and supplies and shall have available for all staff and visitors, approved OSHA, NIOSH certified dust, mist and fumes (DMF) respirators or respirators affording greater protection. This is required for all entry into rooms occupied by known or suspected infectious tuberculosis patients and others. There shall be minimum of one hundred (100) pairs of gloves and DMF respirators in the facility at all times.

(d)   Personal Care Unit. A separate room may be provided for hair care and grooming needs of the patients.

[Source: Added at 21 Ok Reg 1303, eff 5-27-04]