N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-19.31

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 8:43G-19.31 - General newborn care functional area requirements

(a) General requirements for functional areas designated in 8:43G-19.36 shall be as required in (b) through (s) below.

(b) The hospital shall ensure that functional areas of maternal/infant care, as appropriate, are equipped with the following:

1. Readily available breast pumps and collection kits;

2. Indirect, high-intensity, or portable lighting that shall be available and adjustable to satisfy diagnostic and procedural requirements; and

3. Exam items that shall be available or immediately accessible in the unit including, at a minimum, otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, infant scale, exam gloves, and a hand-washing sink.

(c) The hospital shall make provisions in all maternal postpartum rooms and mother-infant rooms, wherever possible, to facilitate a mother's continuous care of her infant and a physician's examination of a newborn in the post-partum room.

(d) Viewing windows shall be extensive throughout the newborn suite. Exterior windows shall be energy efficient and insulated.

(e) Newborn care areas shall have oxygen and medical air piped from a central source in accordance with NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code, 2018. National Fire Protection Association. This book is incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented, and is available from the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471. Phone: (800) 344-3555. Fax: (800) 593-NFPA. Website: http://www.nfpa.org.

(f) Oxygen air and suction systems shall have chime alarms to signal loss of suction or low oxygen and air supply.

(g) A temperature of 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 30 to 60 percent shall be maintained.

(h) An emergency call system shall be provided in each nursery.

(i) A free-standing handwashing sink shall be provided with hands free control in a bowl large and deep enough to prevent splashing. A liquid soap dispenser and disposable towel dispenser shall be provided at each sink.

(j) Each infant station shall be supplied by at least two branch circuits.

(k) Ventilation requirements shall be in accordance with Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities, 2014 edition. Facility Guidelines Institute; American Society for Healthcare Engineering, which is incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented, and is available from the Facility Guidelines Institute, Inc., 350 N. Saint Paul St., Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75201. Website: www.fgiguidelines.org. E-mail: info@fgiguidelines.org.

(l) The newborn nursery shall be a closed unit, physically segregated from other areas.

(m) There shall be a waiting room available in the obstetrics area.

(n) There shall be a toilet and telephone available for use by the public in the obstetrics area.

(o) A separate room or area within the nursery workroom or clean utility room shall be provided for the storage of infant formula and breast milk. A refrigerator/freezer used only for the storage of breast milk and formula shall be provided.

(p) There shall be at least one staff office and a staff lounge in, or adjacent to, the obstetrics area.

(q) There shall be a soiled utility room which shall contain the following:

1. A clinical sink;

2. A work counter;

3. A handwashing sink;

4. Liquid soap dispensers;

5. A paper towel dispenser; and

6. Space for storage of soiled equipment, soiled linen and trash receptacles.

(r) There shall be a neonatal unit clean work area or room which shall contain:

1. A counter with cabinets;

2. A refrigerator;

3. A handwashing sink;

4. Liquid soap dispensers;

5. A paper towel dispenser; and

6. Space for storage of clean equipment and clean linen.

(s) There shall be a housekeeping room in the obstetrics area which shall contain a floor receptor or service sink and provisions for storage of supplies and housekeeping equipment.

(t) There shall be an administrative center or nurses station which may be combined with or include a center for reception and communication. This area shall be designed to permit visual observation into the newborn nurseries and storage space.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-19.31

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 552(b), effective 1/16/2018