Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Inspections Division
Chapter 71 - Subacute Mental Health Care Facilities
Rule 481-71.19 - Buildings, Furnishings, and Equipment.
Universal Citation: IA Admin Code 481-71.19
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024
(1) Buildings - general requirements.
a. All
windows shall be supplied with window treatments that are kept clean and in
good repair.
b. Whenever glass
sliding doors or transparent panels are used, they shall be marked
conspicuously.
c. The facility
shall meet the equivalent requirements of the appropriate group occupancy of
the state fire code.
(2) Furnishings and equipment.
a. All furnishings and equipment shall be
durable, cleanable, and appropriate to their function.
b. Upholstery materials shall be moisture-
and soil-resistant as needed, except on furniture provided by the resident and
the property of the resident.
(3) Dining area and common area. Every facility shall have a dining area and a common area easily accessible to all residents.
a. A common area
shall be maintained for the use of residents and their visitors and may be used
for recreational activities. Common areas shall be suitably
furnished.
b. Dining areas shall be
furnished with dining tables and chairs appropriate to the size and function of
the facility. Dining areas and furnishings shall be kept clean and
sanitary.
(4) Bedrooms.
a. Each resident
shall be provided with a twin-sized or larger bed, substantially constructed
and in good repair. Rollaway beds, metal cots, or folding beds are not
acceptable.
b. Each bed shall be
equipped with the following: casters or glides; clean springs in good repair; a
clean, comfortable, well-constructed mattress approximately five inches thick
and standard in size for the bed; and clean, comfortable pillows of average bed
size.
c. Each resident shall have a
bedside table with a drawer to accommodate personal possessions.
d. There shall be a comfortable chair, either
a rocking chair or armchair, per resident bed. The resident's personal wishes
shall be considered.
e. There shall
be drawer space for each resident's clothing. In a bedroom in which more than
one resident resides, drawer space shall be assigned to each resident.
f. Beds and other furnishings shall
not obstruct free passage to and through doorways.
g. Beds shall not be placed in such a manner
that the side of the bed is against the radiator or in close proximity to it
unless the radiator is covered so as to protect the resident from contact with
it or from excessive heat.
h. There
shall be no more than two residents per room.
(5) Bath and toilet facilities.
a. There shall be a
minimum of one toilet and one sink for each four residents and one shower for
each eight residents. For example, a facility with the maximum of 16 beds shall
have four toilets and sinks and two showers.
b. All sinks shall have paper towel
dispensers and an available supply of soap.
c. Toilet paper shall be readily available to
residents.
(6) Heating. A centralized heating system shall be maintained in good working order and capable of maintaining a comfortable temperature for residents of the facility. Portable units or space heaters are prohibited from being used in the facility except in an emergency.
(7) Water supply.
a. Private sources of water supply shall be
tested annually and the report made available for review by the department upon
request.
b. A bacterially unsafe
source of water supply shall be grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation
of license.
c. The department may
require testing of private sources of water supply at its discretion in
addition to the annual test. The facility shall supply reports of such tests as
directed by the department.
d. Hot
and cold running water under pressure shall be available in the
facility.
e. Prior to construction
of a new facility or new water source, private sources of water supply shall be
surveyed and shall comply with the requirements of the department.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Iowa 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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