N.H. Admin. Code § He-P 827.23

Current through Register No. 50, December 12, 2024
Section He-P 827.23 - Physical Environment
(a) The physical environment shall be maintained, inside and outside, so as to provide for the health, safety, well-being, comfort, and privacy of patients and personnel, including reasonable accommodations for patients and personnel with mobility limitations.
(b) The FMRTF shall:
(1) Have all emergency entrances and exits accessible at all times;
(2) Be maintained in good repair and kept free of hazards to personnel and patients, including but not limited to hazards from falls, burns, or electric shocks;
(3) Be free from environmental nuisances, including excessive noise and odors;
(4) Keep all corridors free from obstructions; and
(5) Take reasonable measures to prevent the presence of rodents, insects, and vermin to include but not limited to:
a. Repairing holes and caulking of pipe channels; and
b. Extermination by a pesticide applicator licensed under RSA 430.
(c) Equipment providing heat within an FMRTF including, but not limited to, gas furnace or boiler, oil furnace or boiler, wood stove, or pellet stove shall:
(1) Maintain a temperature of at least 70 degrees fahrenheit during the day if patients are present; and
(2) Be serviced once a year or as recommended by the manufacturer with written documentation of such service retained for at least 4 years.
(d) Electric heating systems shall be exempt from (c) (2) above.
(e) Portable space heating devices shall be prohibited, unless the following conditions are met:
(1) Such devices are used only in employee areas where personnel are present and awake at all times; and
(2) The heating elements of such devices do not exceed 212 degrees fahrenheit.
(f) Unvented fuel-fired heaters shall not be used in any FMRTF.
(g) Plumbing shall be sized, installed, and maintained in accordance with the state plumbing code as adopted under RSA 329-A:15 and RSA 155-A.
(h) Ventilation shall be provided in all enclosed areas by means of a mechanical ventilation system or one or more screened windows that can be opened.
(i) All hand-washing facilities shall be provided with hot and cold running water.
(j) In accordance with RSA 155:66, I(b) , smoking shall be prohibited in the FMRTF.
(k) Each FMRTF shall have a bathroom with a toilet, a hand washing sink, soap dispenser, paper towels or a hand-drying device providing heated air, and hot and cold running water.
(l) Notwithstanding (k) above, if the FMRTF is located within a multi-use business or facility that has a public bathroom with a toilet and the bathroom complies with all applicable sanitation and construction regulations, the facility shall not be required to have its own bathroom but shall have its own hand washing sink with hot and cold running water, soap dispenser, and paper towels or a hand-drying device providing heated air.
(m) There shall be sufficient space and equipment for the services provided at the FMRT facility.
(n) All exam tables shall be changed with clean linens or common paper between use by different patients.
(o) The licensee shall provide patients with continuous access to a device or means that will signal FMRTF personnel when they are in need of assistance.
(p) All bathroom and closet door latches or locks shall be designed for easy opening from the inside and outside in an emergency.
(q) If available, all showers and tubs shall have slip resistant floors and surfaces which are intact, easily cleanable, and impervious to water.
(r) All mattresses and new upholstered furniture or draperies shall comply with the applicable portions of Saf-C 6000, as amended pursuant to RSA 153:5, I, by the state fire marshal with the board of fire control.
(s) A privacy partition, curtain, or screen shall be required between patient care areas.
(t) The FMRTF facility shall keep all entrances and exits to the licensed premises accessible at all times during hours of operation.
(u) The FMRTF facility shall be clean, sanitary, maintained in a safe manner and good repair, and kept free of hazards.
(v) The FMRTF facility shall provide the following:
(1) Reception and waiting areas that include a reception desk or counter, chairs, tables, and lighting adequate to read materials and complete forms as required;
(2) Public access to toilet facilities with non-porous floors;
(3) A number of examination and treatment rooms adequate to provide services to the average number of patients seen daily; and
(4) Hot water available at all times from taps available to patients and not less than 105 degrees Fahrenheit or more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
(w) Medical waste shall be disposed of in accordance with the requirements of Env-Sw 904.
(x) Except as described in (b) above, the FMRTF facility shall comply with all federal, state and, local health, building, fire, and zoning laws, rules, and ordinances.
(y) The water used in the FMRTF facility shall be suitable for human consumption, pursuant to Env-Ws 315 and Env-Ws 316.
(z) The licensee shall comply with all state and local codes and ordinances for:
(1) Zoning;
(2) Building;
(3) Health;
(4) Fire;
(5) Waste disposal; and
(6) Water.

N.H. Admin. Code § He-P 827.23

Adopted by Volume XXXIX Number 16, Filed April 18, 2019, Proposed by #12751, Effective 3/26/2019, Expires 3/26/2029.