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
Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024
(a) The HH shall:
(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:
(d) Electric heating systems shall be exempt from (c)(2) above.
(e) Portable space heating devices shall be prohibited, unless the following are met:
(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:
(n) The licensee shall provide the following for the patient's use, as needed:
(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:
(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:
(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