Code of Colorado Regulations
1000 - Department of Public Health and Environment
1011 - Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (1011, 1015 Series)
6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 05 - NURSING CARE FACILITIES
Section 6 CCR 1011-1-5-22 - RESIDENT CARE UNIT

Universal Citation: 1000 CO Code Regs 6 CCR 1011-1-5-22

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, June 10, 2025

22.1 A resident care unit is a designated area of a nursing care facility consisting of a bedroom or a grouping of bedrooms with supporting facilities and services that are planned, organized, operated and maintained to provide adequate nursing and supportive care of not more than 60 residents.

22.2 PRIVATE AND MULTI-BED ROOMS

The nursing care facility shall provide private and/or multi-bed rooms to meet resident needs. There shall be no more than four beds per room.

A) Minimum room area, exclusive of closets, lockers, wardrobes of any type, vestibules and toilet rooms, shall be 100 sq. ft. for one-bed rooms and 80 sq. ft. per bed in multi-bed rooms.

B) Privacy shall be provided for each resident in a multi-bed room by the installation of opaque flame retardant cubicle curtains or movable screening.

C) Each bedroom shall have an exterior window. One-half of the required window area shall open without the use of tools. If a mechanical ventilation system is provided, a portion of the required window shall open without the use of tools. Privacy for the resident and control of light shall be provided at each window.

D) Each bedroom shall have direct entry from a corridor.

E) Artificial light shall be provided and include:
1) General illumination;

2) Other sources of illumination for reading, observation, examinations and treatments; and

3) Night light controlled at the door of the bedroom.

F) A sink complete with mixing faucet, easy-to-use controls, sanitary soap and a method for sanitary hand-drying shall be provided in each bedroom.

G) A toilet room, directly accessible from each bedroom, without going through a general corridor, shall be provided.
1) There may be one toilet for two resident rooms but not more than four beds.

2) The minimum dimensions for any room containing only one toilet room shall be 3 feet by 6 feet.

3) The door to the toilet room shall be at least 2 feet, 10 inches in width and shall not swing into the toilet room unless provided with rescue hardware permitting the door to swing outward.

4) The toilet room shall contain a toilet, preferably with bedpan flushing equipment, and grab bars that are securely installed and strong enough to support a resident's weight shall be conveniently located for the safety of residents.

H) Bedrooms shall be equipped with movable furniture and equipment with the following for each resident:
1) Adjustable, washable bed (roll away type beds, cots and folding beds shall not be used), mattress protected by water-proof material, mattress pad and a comfortable pillow;

2) Cabinet or bedside table;

3) Over bed table as applicable;

4) Waste paper receptacle with impervious, disposable liner or disposable waste receptacle;

5) Personal care equipment as needed; and

6) Storage facilities adequate for residents' personal articles and grooming.

I) Each bedroom shall be provided with a separate closet or locker for each resident. The minimum size of closet or locker in a nursing care facility shall be 1 foot, 8 inches wide by 1 foot, 10 inches deep with full length hanging space, clothes rod and shelf.

J) Each resident room shall be equipped with a communication system to allow residents to call for staff assistance. The system shall be capable of activation from the resident's bed, with emergency activation from the toilet room, and each tub and shower. The system shall notify staff of a request for assistance via audible, visual or electronic means.

22.3 SERVICE AREAS

The following service areas shall be provided on each floor where residents reside and located conveniently for patient care.

A) There shall be a staff work area in each resident care unit, along with access to toilet facilities other than those in resident rooms.

B) There shall be a medication preparation area equipped with:
1) Cabinets with suitable locking devices to protect medications stored therein;

2) Refrigerator equipped with thermometer and used exclusively for pharmaceutical storage;

3) Counter work space;

4) Sink with hand washing facilities; and

5) Ready access to medication reference manuals.

C) Only medications, equipment, and supplies for their preparation and administration shall be stored in the medication preparation area. Test reagents, general disinfectants, cleaning agents, and other similar products shall not be stored in the medication area.

D) There shall be a storage area in each resident care unit for clean linen that is used on a routine basis. The room shall be equipped with:
1) Counter, sink with mixing faucet, easy to use controls, sanitary soap and a method for sanitary hand-drying;

2) Waste container with cover (foot controlled recommended) and impervious, disposable liner; and

3) Area for supplies.

E) There shall be a soiled holding room equipped with:
1) Suitable counter, double-sink with mixing faucet, easy to use controls, sanitary soap and a method for sanitary hand-drying;

2) Waste container with cover (foot controlled recommended) and impervious, disposable liner;

3) Space for short-time holding of specimens awaiting delivery to laboratory;

4) Adequate shelf and counter space; and

5) Clinical flushing sink.

F) There shall be a utility closet equipped with:
1) Sink, preferably depressed or floor mounted, with mixing faucets;

2) Hook strip for mop handles from which soiled mop heads have been removed;

3) Shelving for cleaning materials;

4) Hand washing facilities; and

5) Waste receptacles with impervious liner.

G) Hallways shall be free of obstructions such as furniture, medical supplies and equipment.

22.4 BATHING ROOMS

Resident bathing rooms shall be provided in the ratio of one tub or one shower for each 15 residents and meet the following criteria:

A) Grab bars shall be securely installed at each tub or shower and be strong enough to support a resident's weight.

B) Tubs shall have a non-slip surface.

C) The room shall provide privacy and be sufficiently large to provide space for wheelchair movement.
1) The entry door shall be at least 36 inches in width.

2) Curbs shall be omitted from showers.

D) The bathing area shall also contain a toilet and sink with mixing faucet, easy to use controls, sanitary soap and a method for sanitary hand-drying.

22.5 EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

A) The following items shall be readily available at all times:
1) Oxygen delivery devices;

2) Suction devices;

3) Portable emergency equipment, supplies and medications; and

4) Compatible supplies and equipment for immediate intravenous therapy.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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