10A NCAC 13B .6204. NEONATAL LEVEL III AND LEVEL IV NURSERY

(a)  Units shall be accessible to post-partum nursing and delivery units.

(b)  The nursery shall be located and arranged to preclude unrelated traffic through the nursery.

(c)  Each nursery shall contain the following:

(1)           Lavatory located within 20 feet travel distance of each bassinet;

(2)           Emergency calling system; and

(3)           Charting facilities.

(d)  There shall be six feet between bassinets for Neonatal Level IV units and five feet between bassinets for Neonatal Level III units.  Neonatal Level IV nurseries shall have 80 square feet per bassinet not including corridors and cabinets.  Neonatal Level III nurseries shall have 50 square feet per bassinet not including cabinets and corridors.  Corridors or aisles shall have at least eight feet of clear width for access to bassinets.

(e)  Each nursery shall be served by a connecting workroom.  It shall contain gowning facilities at the entrance for staff and housekeeping personnel, lavatory, and storage.  One workroom may serve more than one nursery.  The workroom may be omitted if equivalent work area and facilities are provided within the nursery.  Gowning and hand washing facilities shall be provided at the entrance to each nursery.

(f)  Space for examination and treatment shall be provided and shall contain a counter, storage, and lavatory. It may serve more than one nursery room and may be located in a workroom.

(g)  If commercially prepared formula is not used, space and equipment to accommodate the handling, storage, and preparation of formula shall be provided.

(h)  A janitor's closet for the exclusive use of the housekeeping staff in maintaining the nursery suite shall be provided.  It shall contain a floor receptor or service sink and storage space for housekeeping equipment and supplies.

(i)  Doors to nurseries shall be no less than three feet wide.  If doors are provided directly from nurseries to public corridors or public spaces, they shall be equipped with "one-way" hardware for exit only to prevent unauthorized entry.

(j)  Smoke detection shall be provided in each nursery bed space.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E-79;

Eff. January 1, 1996;

Amended Eff. November 1, 2004.