New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
He - Department of Health and Human Services
Subtitle He-P - Former Division of Public Health Services
Chapter He-P 800 - RESIDENTIAL CARE AND HEALTH FACILITY RULES
Part He-P 803 - NEW HAMPSHIRE NURSING HOME RULES
Section He-P 803.25 - Sanitation

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules He-P 803.25

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) The licensee shall maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary environment throughout the licensed nursing home premises.

(b) The furniture, floors, ceilings, walls, and fixtures shall be clean, sanitary, and in good repair.

(c) A supply of potable water shall be available for human consumption and food preparation.

(d) A supply of hot and cold running water shall be available at all times and precautions such as temperature regulation shall be taken to prevent a scalding injury to the residents.

(e) Hot water shall be of a high enough temperature to ensure sanitation and food safety when used for laundry and food preparations, as required in the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) "Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities, Table 2.5-1" (2018 edition), available as noted in Appendix A, and summarized as follows:

(1) Seventy-120 degrees Fahrenheit for clinical areas, representing the minimum and maximum allowable temperatures, Where sinks are used primarily for hot water and are served by a single pipe supplying tempered water, it shall not exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit;

(2) One hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit for dietary areas, except that provisions shall be made to provide 180 degrees Fahrenheit rinse water at the warewasher, which may be by separate booster, unless a chemical rinse is provided; and

(3) One hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit for laundry by steam jet or separate booster heater, unless a process which allows cleaning and disinfection of linen with decreased water temperatures is used which meets the designed water temperatures as specified by the manufacturer.

(f) All resident bathing and toileting facilities shall be cleaned and disinfected to prevent illness or contamination.

(g) Cleaning solutions, compounds and substances considered hazardous or toxic materials, as defined in RSA 147-A:2, VII, shall be distinctly labeled and legibly marked so as to identify the contents and stored in a place separate from food, medications and program supplies, and to prohibit access by residents.

(h) Toxic materials shall not be used in a way that contaminates food, equipment or utensils or in any way other than in full compliance with the manufacturer's labeling.

(i) Only individuals authorized under RSA 430:33 may apply pesticides, as defined by RSA 430:29, XXVI, for rodent or cockroach control in food storage, food preparation, or dining areas.

(j) Solid waste, garbage, and trash shall be stored in a manner to make it inaccessible to insects, rodents, outdoor animals, and nursing home pets.

(k) In-house trash and garbage receptacles shall be emptied in a timely manner and lined, or cleaned and disinfected after emptying or when visibly soiled.

(l) Trash receptacles in food service area shall have covers and shall remain closed except when in use.

(m) The following requirements shall be met for laundry services:

(1) Dirty laundry shall not be permitted to contaminate kitchen and dining areas;

(2) Clean linen shall be stored in a clean area and separated from soiled linens at all times;

(3) Soiled materials, linens and clothing shall be transported in a laundry bag, sack or container and washed in a sanitizing solution used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations; and

(4) Soiled linens and clothing that are considered contaminated with infectious waste under Env-Sw 103.28 shall be handled as infectious waste.

(n) Laundry rooms and bathrooms shall have non-porous floors.

(o) Cleaning supplies shall be stored in dust-free and moisture-free storage areas.

(p) Any nursing home that has its own water supply and whose water has been tested and has failed to meet the acceptable levels identified as required by the department of environmental services shall notify the department upon receipt of notice of a failed water test.

#9856-A, eff 1-26-11

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