La. Admin. Code tit. 67 § V-6967

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section V-6967 - Physical Environment

A. Accessibility. A provider's building, parking lots and facilities shall be accessible to and functional for clients, staff members and the public, as required by applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

B. Exterior Space

1. A provider shall ensure that all structures on the grounds of the facility accessible to clients are maintained in good repair and are free from any excessive hazard to health or safety.

2. A provider shall maintain the grounds of the facility in an acceptable manner and shall ensure that the grounds are free from any hazard to health or safety.

a. Garbage and rubbish that is stored outside shall be stored securely in non-combustible, covered containers and shall be removed on a regular basis.

b. Trash collection receptacles and incinerators shall be stored separate from the play area, and be located as to avoid being a nuisance to neighbors.

c. Fences shall be in good repair.

d. Areas determined to be unsafe, including steep grades, cliffs, open pits, swimming pools, high voltage boosters or high-speed roads, shall be fenced off or have natural barriers to protect clients.

e. Playground equipment shall be so located, installed and maintained as to ensure the safety of clients.

3. A provider shall have access to outdoor recreational space and suitable recreational equipment.

C. Interior Space

1. Each living unit of a provider should contain a space for the free and informal use of clients. This space shall be constructed and equipped in a manner consistent with the programmatic goals of the provider.

2. A provider shall provide an appropriate variety of interior recreational spaces.

3. A provider shall ensure the immediate accessibility of appropriate first aid supplies in the living units.

4. Dining Areas

a. A provider shall provide dining areas which permit clients, staff and, as appropriate, guests to eat together in small groups.

b. A provider shall provide dining areas which are clean, well-lighted, ventilated and attractively furnished.

5. Sleeping Accommodations

a. A provider should ensure that each client has a safe and comfortable bedroom space appropriate to age, mental health and supervision requirements. Floor space should provide appropriate freedom of movement. In evaluating bedroom floor space, easy access to large adjoining areas should be considered.

b. A provider shall not use a room with a ceiling height of less than 7 feet as a bedroom space, except in a room with varying ceiling height in which the portions of the room where the ceiling is at least 7 feet allow a useable space.

c. A provider should not permit more than four clients to occupy a designated bedroom space, unless necessitated by supervision requirements.

d. No client over the age of five years shall occupy a bedroom with a member of the opposite sex, unless the persons occupying the bedroom are a married couple, or properly documented medical reasons require it.

e. A provider shall not use any room which does not have a window as a bedroom space.

f. Each client in care of a provider shall have his/her own bed. A client's bed shall be no shorter than the client's height and no less than 30 inches wide, and shall have a clean, comfortable, non-toxic, fire-retardant mattress.

g. A provider shall ensure that sheets, a pillow, a bedspread and blankets are provided for each client.

i. Enuretic clients shall have mattresses with moisture-resistant covers.

ii. Sheets and pillowcases shall be changed at least weekly, but shall be changed more frequently if necessary.

h. A provider shall provide clients with solidly constructed beds. Cots or other portable beds are not to be used on a routine basis.

i. A provider shall ensure that the uppermost mattress of any bunk bed in use shall be far enough from the ceiling to allow the occupant to sit up in bed.

j. A provider shall provide each client in care with his/her own dresser or other adequate storage space for private use, and designated space for hanging clothing in proximity to the bedroom occupied by the client.

k. Each client in care of a provider shall have his/her own designated area for rest and sleep.

l. The decoration of sleeping areas for clients shall allow some scope for the personal tastes and expressions of the clients.

6. Bathrooms

a. A provider shall have an adequate number of washbasins with hot and cold water, flush toilets and bath or shower facilities with hot and cold water, according to client care needs.

i. Bathrooms shall be so placed as to allow access without disturbing other clients during sleeping hours.

ii. Each bathroom shall be properly equipped with toilet paper, towels, soap and other items required for personal hygiene, unless clients are individually given such items.

iii. Tubs and showers shall have slip-proof surfaces.

b. A provider shall provide toilets and baths or showers which allow for individual privacy, unless clients in care require assistance.

c. A provider shall ensure that bathrooms have a safe and adequate supply of hot and cold running water. This water shall be potable.

d. A provider shall ensure that bathrooms contain mirrors secured to the walls at convenient heights, and other furnishings necessary to meet the clients' basic hygienic needs.

e. A provider shall ensure that bathrooms are equipped to facilitate maximum self-help by clients. Bathrooms shall be large enough to permit staff assistance of children if necessary.

f. Toilets, washbasins and other plumbing or sanitary facilities in a facility shall at all times be maintained in good operating condition, and shall be kept free of any materials that might clog or otherwise impair their operation.

7. Kitchens

a. Kitchens used for meal preparations shall be provided with the necessary equipment for the preparation, storage, serving and cleanup of all meals for all the clients and staff regularly served by such kitchen. All equipment shall be maintained in working order.

b. A provider shall not use disposable dinnerware at meals on a regular basis, unless the facility documents that such dinnerware is necessary to protect the health or safety of clients in care.

c. A provider shall ensure that all dishes, cups and glasses used by clients in care are free from chips, cracks or other defects.

8. Staff Quarters. A provider utilizing live-in staff shall provide adequate, separate living space with private bathroom for these staff.

9. Administrative and Counseling Space

a. A provider shall provide a space that is distinct from the clients' living areas to serve as an administrative office for records, secretarial work and bookkeeping.

b. A provider shall have a designated space to allow private discussions and counseling sessions between individual clients and staff.

10. Furnishings

a. A provider shall have comfortable, customary furniture as appropriate for all living areas. Furniture for the use of clients shall be appropriately designed to suit the size and capabilities of these clients.

b. A provider shall ensure that there is evidence of routine maintenance and cleaning programs in all areas of the provider.

c. A provider shall replace or repair broken, run-down or defective furnishings and equipment promptly.

11. Doors and Windows

a. A provider shall ensure that any designated bedroom in which the bedroom space is not equipped with a mechanical ventilation system is provided with windows that have an openable area at least 5 percent as large as the total floor area of the bedroom space.

b. A provider shall provide insect screening for all opened windows. This screening shall be readily removable in emergencies and shall be in good repair.

c. A provider shall ensure that all closets used by clients, and bedrooms and bathrooms which have doors, are provided with doors that can be readily opened from both sides.

12. Storage

a. A provider shall ensure that there are sufficient and appropriate storage facilities.

b. A provider shall have securely locked storage space for all potentially harmful materials. Keys to such storage spaces shall only be available to authorized staff members.

13. Electrical Systems

a. A provider shall ensure that all electrical equipment, wiring, switches, sockets and outlets are maintained in good order and safe condition.

b. A provider shall ensure that any room, corridor or stairway within a facility is sufficiently illuminated.

c. A provider shall provide adequate lighting of exterior areas to ensure the safety of clients and staff during the night.

14. Heat

a. A provider shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure the heating elements, including exposed hot water pipes, are insulated or installed in a manner that ensures the safety of clients.

b. A provider shall maintain the spaces used by clients at reasonable temperatures.

c. A provider shall not use open flame heating equipment.

15. Water. A provider shall ensure that hot water accessible to clients is regulated to a temperature not in excess of 110 degrees F., unless a variance is granted.

16. Finishes and Surfaces

a. A provider shall not utilize any excessively rough surface or finish where this surface or finish may present a safety hazard to clients.

b. A provider shall not have walls or ceilings surfaced with materials containing asbestos.

La. Admin. Code tit. 67, § V-6967

Promulgated by the Department of Social Services, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Licensing, LR 27:1577 (September 2001), repromulgated by the Department of Social Services, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Residential Licensing, LR 33:2753 (December 2007), repromulgated by the Department of Social Services, Office of Community Services, LR 35: 1630 (August 2009).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:477 and R.S. 46:1410 et seq.

This Section has been moved from LAC 67:I.1967.