Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-58.35 - Buildings, furnishings, and equipment

(1) Buildings-general requirements.

a. For purposes of computation of usable floor space in bedrooms and other living areas of the facility, that part of the room having no less than seven feet of ceiling height shall be used. Usable floor space may include irregularities in the rooms such as alcoves and offsets with approval of the department. Usable floor space shall not include space needed for corridor door swings or wardrobes being used as a substitute for closet space. (III)

b. Portable emergency lights in good working condition shall be available at all times, at a ratio of one light per one employee on duty from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (III)

c. All windows shall be supplied with curtains and shades or drapes which are kept clean and in good repair. (III)

d. Light fixtures shall be so equipped to prevent glare and to prevent hazards to the residents. (III)

e. Exposed heating pipes, hot water pipes, or radiators in rooms and areas used by residents and within reach of residents shall be covered or protected to prevent injury or burns to residents. (II, III)

f. All fans located within seven feet of the floor shall be protected by screen guards of not more than one-half-inch mesh. (III)

g. Whenever glass sliding doors or transparent panels are used, they shall be marked conspicuously. (III)

h. The facility shall meet the equivalent requirements of the appropriate group occupancy of the state building code. (III)

i. No part of any room shall be enclosed, subdivided, or partitioned unless such part is separately lighted and ventilated and meets such other requirements as its usage and occupancy dictates, except closets used for the storage of residents' clothing. (III)

(2) Furnishings and equipment.

a. All furnishings and equipment shall be durable, cleanable, and appropriate to its function and in accordance with the department's approved program of care. (III)

b. All resident areas shall be decorated, painted, and furnished to provide a home-like atmosphere. (III)

c. Upholstery materials shall be moisture- and soil-resistant, except on furniture provided by the resident and the property of the resident. (III)

(3) Dining and living rooms.

a. Every facility shall have a dining room and a living room easily accessible to all residents. (III)

b. Dining rooms and living rooms shall at no time be used as bedrooms. (III)

c. Dining rooms and living rooms shall be available for use by residents at appropriate times to provide periods of social and diversional individual and group activities. (III)

d. A combination dining room and living room may be permitted if the space requirements of a multipurpose room as provided in 58.35(3)"e" are met. (III)

e. Multipurpose rooms. When space is provided for multipurpose dining and activities and recreational purposes, the area shall total at least 30 square feet per licensed bed for the first 100 beds and 27 square feet per licensed bed for all beds in excess of 100. An open area of sufficient size shall be provided to permit group activities such as religious meetings or presentation of demonstrations or entertainment. (III)

f. Living rooms.

(1) Living rooms shall be maintained for the use of residents and their visitors and may be used for recreational activities. (III)

(2) Living rooms shall be suitably provided with parlor furniture, television and radio receivers in good working order, recreational material such as games, puzzles, and cards, and reading material such as current newspapers and magazines. Furnishings and equipment of the room should be such as to allow group activities. (III)

(3) Card tables or game tables shall be made available. The tables should be of a height to allow a person seated in a wheelchair to partake in the games or card playing. (III)

(4) Chairs of proper height and appropriate to their use shall be provided for seating residents at game tables and card tables. (III)

g. Dining rooms.

(1) Dining rooms shall be furnished with dining tables and chairs appropriate to the size and function of the facility. These rooms and furnishings shall be kept clean and sanitary. (III)

(2) Dining tables and chairs shall be provided. (III)

(3) Dining tables should be so constructed that a person seated in a wheelchair can dine comfortably. (III)

(4) Tables shall be of sturdy construction with smooth, durable, nonpermeable tops that can be cleaned with a detergent sanitizing solution. (III)

(5) Dining chairs shall be sturdy and comfortable. Some arm chairs should be provided for ease of movement for some residents. (III)

(6) Residents shall be encouraged to eat in the dining room. (III)

(4) Bedrooms.

a. Each resident shall be provided with a standard, single, or twin bed that is substantially constructed and in good repair. Rollaway beds, metal cots, or folding beds are not acceptable. Seventy-five percent of the beds shall have a spring with an adjustable head and foot section. A resident shall have the right to sleep in a chair per the resident's request and to have the bed removed from the room to allow for additional space. (III)

b. Each bed shall be equipped with the following: casters or glides unless a low bed and mattress are being used for fall precautions; a clean, comfortable, well-constructed mattress approximately five inches thick and standard in size for the bed; clean, comfortable pillows of average size; and moisture-proof covers and sheets as necessary to keep the mattress and pillows dry and clean. (III)

c. Each resident shall have a bedside table with a drawer to accommodate personal possessions. (III)

d. There shall be a comfortable chair, either a rocking chair or armchair, per resident bed. The resident's personal wishes shall be considered. (III)

e. There shall be drawer space for each resident's clothing. In a multiple bedroom, drawer space shall be assigned each resident. (III)

f. Walls, ceilings, and floors shall have easily cleanable surfaces and shall be kept clean and in good repair. (III)

g. Beds and other furnishings shall not obstruct free passage to and through doorways. (III)

h. Clothing shall be hung in closets or wardrobes available in each room. (III)

i. Beds shall not be placed with the head of the bed in front of a window or radiator. (III)

j. 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 it is covered so as to protect the resident from contact with it or from excessive heat. (III)

k. Reading lamps shall be provided each resident in the resident's room. (III)

l. Each room shall have sufficient accessible mirrors to serve the resident's needs. Mirrors are not required if the room is located in a CCDI unit and the mirrors cause concern for the resident. (III)

m. Sturdy, adjustable overbed tables shall be provided for each resident who is unable to eat in the dining room. (III)

n. Each resident bedroom shall have a door. The door shall be the swing type and shall not swing into the corridor. (III)

(5) Heating. A centralized heating system capable of maintaining a minimum temperature of 78°F (26°C) shall be provided. Portable units or space heaters are prohibited from being used in the facility except as permitted in the governing Life Safety Code or in an emergency. In the event of emergency use, the facility shall provide notice to the state fire marshal's office within 24 hours. (III)

(6) Water supply.

a. Every facility shall have an adequate water supply from an approved source. A municipal source of supply shall be considered as meeting this requirement. (III)

b. Private sources of supply shall be tested annually and the report submitted with the annual application for license. (III)

c. A bacterially unsafe source of supply shall be grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of license. (III)

d. The department may require testing of private sources of supply at its discretion in addition to the annual test. The facility shall supply reports of such tests as directed by the department. (III)

e. Hot and cold running water under pressure shall be available in the facility. (III)

f. Prior to construction of a new facility or new water source, private sources of supply shall be surveyed and shall comply with the requirements of the department of health. (III)

(7) Nonambulatory residents.

a. All nonambulatory residents shall be housed on the grade level floor. (II, III)

b. These provisions in "a" above relating to nonambulatory residents are not applicable if the facility has a suitably sized elevator.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-58.35

Amended by IAB May 31, 2023/Volume XLV, Number 24, effective 7/5/2023