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 824 - HOSPICE HOUSE
Section He-P 824.24 - Physical Environment

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules He-P 824.24

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) The HH shall:

(1) Have all 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 electrical shocks;

(3) Be free from environmental nuisances, including excessive noise and odors;

(4) Keep all corridors free from obstructions; and

(5) Take measures to prevent the presence of rodents, insects, and vermin.

(b) The physical environment shall be maintained, inside and outside, so as to provide for the health, safety, welfare and comfort of patient(s) and personnel, including reasonable accommodations for patients and personnel with mobility limitations.

(c) Equipment providing heat within an HH including, but not limited to, gas furnace or boiler, oil furnace or boiler, or wood stove or pellet stove shall:

(1) Maintain a temperature as follows, except where patients have control of the thermostat in their own room:
a. Be at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night; and

b. Be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day if the patient(s) 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 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 HH.

(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 living areas by means of a mechanical ventilation system or one or more screened windows in each room that can be opened.

(i) Each patient bedroom shall have natural lighting provided by at least one operable window with a screen to the outside, which is of a size equivalent to or greater than 8% of the room's gross square footage.

(j) The number of sinks, toilets, tubs or showers shall be in a ratio of at least one for every 6 patients.

(k) All showers and tubs shall have slip resistant floors and surfaces which are intact, easily cleanable and impervious to water.

(l) All hand washing facilities shall be provided with hot and cold running water.

(m) Each bedroom shall:

(1) Contain no more than 2 beds;

(2) Have its own separate entry to permit the patient to reach his or her bedroom without passing through the room of another patient;

(3) Have a side hinge door and not a folding or sliding door or a curtain;

(4) Provide accommodations for family members to remain with the patient throughout the night and physical space for family after a patient's death;

(5) Be separated from halls, corridors and other rooms by floor to ceiling walls; and

(6) Be located on the same level as the bathroom facilities, if the patient has impaired mobility as identified by the HH assessment.

(n) The licensee shall provide the following for the patient's use, as needed:

(1) A bed appropriate to the needs of the patient;

(2) A firm mattress that complies with the state fire code;

(3) Clean linens, blankets, and a pillow;

(4) A bureau;

(5) A mirror;

(6) A bedside table;

(7) A lamp;

(8) A chair;

(9) A closet or storage space for personal belongings; and

(10) Window blinds, shades or curtains that provide privacy.

(o) The patient may use his or her own personal possessions provided they do not pose a risk to the patient or others.

(p) The licensee shall provide the following rooms to meet the needs of patients:

(1) One or more living rooms or multi-purpose rooms; and

(2) Dining facilities with a seating capacity capable of meeting the needs of all patients.

(q) Each licensee shall have a UL listed communication system in place so that all patients can effectively contact personnel when they need assistance with care or in an emergency.

(r) All bathroom, bedroom, and closet door latches or locks shall be designed for easy opening from the inside and outside in an emergency.

(s) Screens shall be provided for:

(1) Doors;

(2) Windows; and

(3) Other openings to the outside.

(t) Doors that are self-closing and remain closed when not in use shall be exempt from the requirement in (s) above.

#9317, eff 11-8-08

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Hampshire 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.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.