Life Safety

(1) Any residential hospice facility which complies with the required applicable building and fire safety regulations at the time the board adopts new codes or regulations will, so long as such compliance is maintained (either with or without waivers of specific provisions), be considered to be in compliance with the requirements of the new codes or regulations. (2) The residential hospice facility shall provide fire protection by the elimination of fire hazards, by the installation of necessary fire fighting equipment and by the adoption of a written fire control plan. All fires which result in a response by the local fire department shall be reported to the department within seven (7) days. The report shall contain sufficient information to ascertain the nature and location of the fire, its probable cause and any injuries incurred by any person or persons as a result of the fire. (3) The residential hospice facility must be designed and equipped for the comfort and privacy of each hospice patient and or HIV care resident and family member(s) by providing physical space for private patient/family or resident/family visiting, accommodations for family members to remain with the patient and/or resident throughout the night, accommodations for family privacy following a patient’s or resident’s death, and decor which is home-like in design and function. (a) Any condition on the residential hospice site conducive to the harboring or breeding of insects, rodents or other vermin shall be prohibited. Chemical substances of a poisonous nature used to control or eliminate vermin shall be properly identified. Such substances shall not be stored with or near food or medications. (b) Telephones shall be readily accessible and at least one (1) shall be equipped with sound amplification and shall be accessible to wheelchair patients and/or residents. (c) Equipment and supplies for physical examination and emergency treatment of patients and/or residents shall be available. (d) A bed complete with mattress and pillow shall be provided. In addition, patients and/or residents units shall be provided with at least one chair, a bedside table, an over bed tray and adequate storage space for toilet articles, clothing and personal belongings. (e) Individual wash cloths, towels and bed linens must be provided for each patient and/or resident. Linen shall not be interchanged from patient to patient or resident to resident until it has been properly laundered. (f) Bath basin water service, emesis basin, bedpan and urinal shall be individually provided. (g) Items of equipment coming into intimate contact with patients and/or residents shall be disinfected or sterilized after each use unless individual equipment for each is provided and then sterilized or disinfected between patients and/or residents and as often as necessary to maintain them in a clean and sanitary condition. Single use, disposable items are acceptable but shall not be reused. STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL HOSPICES CHAPTER 0720-23 (h) The facility shall have written policies and procedures governing care of patients and/or residents during the failure of the air conditioning, heating or ventilation system, including plans for hypothermia and hyperthermia. When the temperature of any patient/resident area falls below 65°F. or exceeds 85°F., or is reasonably expected to do so, the facility shall be alerted to the potential danger, and the Department shall be notified.