Chapter DHS 132

DHS 132.84(3)(a) (a) A staff work station whose location allows staff to provide services to all living areas, resident bedrooms and resident use spaces. The facility shall contain adequate storage space for records and charts and shall contain a desk or work counter for staff, a functional telephone for emergency calls and a resident communication system as required under sub. (4). Staff work stations shall be located to meet the needs of the resident population being served.

DHS 132.84(3)(b) (b) Space for storage of linen, equipment and supplies, unless a central space for storage is provided.

DHS 132.84(3)(c) (c)

DHS 132.84(3)(c)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., a well-lit, secure medicine preparation, storage and handling room or area available to each staff work station with a work counter, refrigerator, sink with hot and cold running water, and a medicine storage cabinet with lock or space for drug carts. The room shall be mechanically ventilated.

DHS 132.84(3)(c)2. 2. In period A nursing homes, a well-lit medicine preparation, storage and handling area equipped with a sink and hot and cold running water may continue to be used. Mechanical ventilation is not required.

DHS 132.84(3)(c)3. 3. In period B nursing homes, cart storage space and mechanical ventilation within the medicine preparation room are not required.

DHS 132.84(3)(d) (d)

DHS 132.84(3)(d)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2., 3. and 4., a soiled utility room central to each resident sleeping room wing or module that is equipped with a flush-rim siphon jet service sink, a facility for sanitizing bedpans, urinals, emesis basins, thermometers and related nursing care equipment, appropriate cabinet and counter space, and sink with hot and cold running water. The room shall be mechanically ventilated and under negative pressure.

DHS 132.84(3)(d)2. 2. Period A nursing homes shall have a utility room that shall be located, designed and equipped to provide areas for the separate handling of clean and soiled linen, equipment, and supplies.

DHS 132.84(3)(d)3. 3. Period B nursing homes shall have a ventilated utility room with a flush-rim service sink.

DHS 132.84(3)(d)4. 4. Central location of soiled utility rooms is not required in existing nursing homes.

DHS 132.84(3)(e) (e)

DHS 132.84(3)(e)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a clean utility area or room central to each resident sleeping room wing or module that is equipped with a sink with hot and cold running water, counter, and cabinets for storage of clean utensils and equipment.

DHS 132.84(3)(e)2. 2. Period A and B nursing homes shall have a utility room located, designed and equipped to provide areas for the separate handling of clean and soiled linen, equipment and supplies.

DHS 132.84(3)(f) (f) Period C nursing homes shall have staff toilet and hand-washing facilities separate from those used by residents.

DHS 132.84(3)(g) (g) Period C nursing homes shall have a nourishment station with sink, hot and cold running water, refrigerator and storage for serving between-meal nourishment if a kitchen is not open at all times. Nourishment stations may serve more than one nursing area but not more than a single floor.

DHS 132.84(4) (4) Resident and staff communication.

DHS 132.84(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), the nursing home shall have a department-approved resident and staff communication system comprised of components listed by an independent testing laboratory to permit each resident to activate the call from resident rooms, toilet area, bathing areas, and activity areas. Nurse calls shall be visible from corridor or access aisles within each resident living area and an audible sounder shall annunciate upon failure of staff response. The communication signal emanating from the toilet, bath and shower areas shall be that of a distinctive emergency call. The activation device shall be reachable by the residents from each toilet, bath or shower location.

DHS 132.84 Note Note: Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) is an example of an independent testing laboratory.

DHS 132.84(4)(b) (b) Nursing homes in existence November 1, 2004, may continue using a nurse call system that registers calls from each resident bed, resident toilet room and each tub and shower area. In addition, in period B and C nursing homes, the resident staff signal may register in the corridor directly outside the room and at the staff work station.

DHS 132.84(4)(c) (c) In all nursing homes in existence November 1, 2004, the nursing home may retain use of non-source signal canceling equipment until any remodeling is undertaken within the smoke compartment where the equipment is located.

DHS 132.84(4)(d) (d) Communication systems shall be functioning at all times.

DHS 132.84(6) (6) Food service.

DHS 132.84(6)(a) (a) General. The facility shall have a kitchen or dietary area which shall be adequate to meet food service needs and shall be arranged and equipped for the refrigeration, storage, preparation, and serving of food, as well as for dish and utensil cleaning and refuse storage and removal. Dietary areas shall comply with the local health or food handling codes. Food preparation space shall be arranged for the separation of functions and shall be located to permit efficient services to residents and shall not be used for nondietary functions.

DHS 132.84 Note Note: The department encourages and supports gerontological design principles that promote innovation and a diversity of approaches.

DHS 132.84(15) (15) Mixed occupancy. Rooms or areas within the facility may be used for occupancy by individuals other than residents and facility staff if the following conditions are met:

DHS 132.84(15)(a) (a) The use of these rooms does not interfere with the services provided to the residents; and

DHS 132.84(15)(b) (b) The administrator takes reasonable steps to ensure that the health, safety and rights of the residents are protected.

DHS 132.84(17) (17) Submission of plans and specifications. For all new construction:

DHS 132.84(17)(a) (a) One copy of schematic and preliminary plans shall be submitted to the department for review and approval of the functional layout.

DHS 132.84(17)(b) (b) One copy of working plans and specifications shall be submitted to and approved by the department before construction is begun. The department shall notify the facility in writing of any divergence in the plans and specifications, as submitted, from the prevailing rules.

DHS 132.84(17)(c) (c) The plans specified in pars. (a) and (b) shall show the general arrangement of the buildings, including a room schedule and fixed equipment for each room and a listing of room numbers, together with other pertinent information. Plans submitted shall be drawn to scale.

DHS 132.84(17)(d) (d) Any changes in the approved working plans affecting the application of the requirements herein established shall be shown on the approved working plans and shall be submitted to the department for approval before construction is undertaken. The department shall notify the facility in writing of any divergence in the plans and specifications, as submitted, from the prevailing rules.

DHS 132.84(17)(e) (e) If on-site construction above the foundation is not started within 6 months of the date of approval of the working plans and specifications under par. (b), the approval shall be void and the plans and specifications shall be resubmitted for reconsideration of approval.

DHS 132.84(17)(f) (f) If there are no divergences from the prevailing rules, the department shall provide the facility with written approval of the plans as submitted.

DHS 132.84 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1982, No. 319, eff. 8-1-82; am. (3) (b) 2. and (13) (c), renum. (15) and (16) to be (16) and (17), cr. (15), Register, January, 1987, No. 373, eff. 2-1-87; am. (1) (b) 2., (2) (e) 1. c. and (5) (a); CR 04-053: r. and recr. (3) and (4) and am. (6) (d) 12. Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04; CR 06-053: am. (1) (a), r. (1) (b) 2. and 3., (c), (d), (e), (f), (j), (k), (2) (b) to (d), (e) 1. a. to d. and 2., (f) 1. to 3., 5., (g), (5) (6) (b) to (d), (7) to (14) and (16), cons., renum. and am. (1) (b) (intro.) and 1. to be (1) (b), cons., renum., and am. (2) (e) (intro.) and 1. (intro.) to be (2) (e), cons., renum. and am. (2) (f) (intro.) and 4. to be (2) (f), Register August 2007 No. 2007, eff. 9-1-07.