La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-6733

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-6733 - Nursing Service Facilities

A. Nurses' Station. A nurses' station of adequate size with chart desk and telephone shall be provided in a suitable location on each nursing unit.

B. Utility Room of Space. On each nursing unit an adequate, properly equipped utility space or area shall be provided for the preparation, cleaning, and storage of nursing supplies and equipment which is carried out on the nursing unit. This utility space shall be so arranged as to provide for separation of clean and soiled supplies and equipment.

C. Toilet and Bathing Facilities. There shall be at least one water closet, lavatory basin, and bathing facility reserved for patient use on each patient floor and such additional toilets, lavatories, and bathing facilities to adequately meet the needs of employees, professional personnel, and patients on each nursing unit.

1. Grab bars properly located and securely mounted shall be provided at patient bathing facilities and water closets.

2. A lavatory basin shall be provided in or convenient to every water closet.

3. Paper towels in a satisfactory dispenser or some other acceptable type of single use towel and a satisfactory receptacle for used towels shall be provided at all lavatories, except those in patients' rooms.

D. Isolation Room or Unit. Facilities for isolation of patients with communicable diseases may be established on a temporary basis as the need arises. A private room or a corridor wing may be used provided strict isolation techniques are enforced, including identifying signs to warn and restrict the public.

E. Seclusion Room. When special accommodations are provided for seriously disturbed patients, the layout, design of details, equipment, and furnishings shall be such that patients may be under close observation and will not be afforded opportunities for hiding, escape, or injury to self or others.

F. Storage and Handling of Drugs. Medicines, poisons, and other drugs shall be stored in a specifically designated and well illuminated medicine cupboard, closet, cabinet, or room accessible only to persons authorized to administer or dispense drugs. Separate compartments appropriately marked shall be provided for the storage of drugs for internal use and those for external use.

G. Narcotic Storage and Records. A separate locked drawer, compartment, cabinet, or safe shall be provided for the storage of narcotics and accurate records as to receipt and disposition of such narcotics shall be kept.

H. Facilities for Preparation of Drugs. Suitable facilities, including ample light, running water, and sufficient work area, shall be provided for the preparation of dosages for patients.

I. Labeling of Drugs. All drugs shall be plainly labeled with the name of the drug or prescription number, the strength whenever practicable, and the date of issue. Individual prescriptions shall be labeled with the patient's name, the name of the drug or prescription number, the date of issue, and the name of the physician who prescribed the drug.

J. Patient Room Facilities

1. All patient rooms shall be outside rooms with a window area of clear glass of not less than one eighth of the floor area except in rooms below grade where the window area shall be not less than one-fifth the floor area.

2. Single rooms shall contain at least 80 square feet and multi-bed rooms shall contain at least 70 square feet per bed.

3. Rooms shall have at least seven and one half foot ceiling height over the required area.

4. There shall be at least three feet between beds.

5. Rooms shall be arranged so as to permit the movement of a wheeled stretcher to the side of each bed.

6. There shall be sufficient and satisfactory storage space for clothing, toilet articles, and other personal belongings of patients.

K. Patient Room Furnishings

1. A hospital type bed with suitable mattress, pillow, and necessary

2. Coverings shall be provided for each patient.

3. There shall be a bedside stand or cabinet and chair for each patient.

4. Means for signaling nurses shall be provided within easy reach of each bed when appropriate.

5. A sufficient number of cubicle curtains or screens shall be available to assure privacy for patients when indicated.

6. A properly designed lamp, which can be operated by the patient, shall be provided at each bed when appropriate.

L. Supplies and Equipment for Patient Care

1. Each patient shall be provided with individual bedside utensils.

2. All supplies and equipment used in patient care shall be properly cleaned and in appropriate cases shall be sterilized between use for different patients.

3. Methods for cleaning, sanitizing, handling, and storing of all supplies and equipment shall be such as to prevent the transmission of infection through their use.

4. After discharge of a patient, the bed, mattress, cover, bedside furniture, and equipment shall be properly cleaned.

5. Mattresses, blankets, and pillows assigned to patients shall be in a sanitary condition. The mattress, blankets, and pillows used for a patient with an infection shall be sanitized in an acceptable manner before they are assigned to another patient.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-6733

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of the Secretary, Division of Licensing and Certification, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:2100-2113.