105 CMR 150.320 - Bedrooms - Nursing Care Units

(A) Resident bedrooms must adhere to the following:

(1) The floor area of resident bedrooms, excluding closet, vestibule and toilet room areas shall not be less than 125 square feet for single occupancy rooms and 90 square feet per bed for multiple occupancy rooms.

(2) For HB/LTCFs, the floor area of resident bedrooms, excludingcloset, vestibule and toilet room areas shall not be less than 100 square feet for single occupancy rooms and 80 square feet per bed for multiple occupancy rooms.

(3) Prior to April 30, 2022, no resident bedroom shall contain more than four beds. However, in the event of new construction or reconstruction, as defined by CMS, of a building or nursing care unit, each of the affected resident bedrooms may not contain more than two beds.

(4) Rooms shall be shaped and sized so each bed can be placed at least three feet from any lateral wall and at least three feet from any window or radiator. Beds shall be spaced at least three feet from any other bed. Facilities must maximize the distance between resident beds and ensure that bed placement is in accordance with Department guidelines, if any. An unobstructed passageway of at least four feet shall be maintained at the foot of each bed.

(5) Resident bedrooms shall have a floor level above the grade level adjacent to the building.

(6) All resident bedrooms shall be along exterior walls with window access to the exterior.

(7) All resident bedrooms shall open directly to a main corridor and shall be permanently and clearly identified by number on or beside each entrance door.

(8) Each room with more than one bed shall have cubicle curtains or equivalent built-in devices for privacy for each resident.

(9) Each resident bedroom shall contain closet interior space of not less than two feet by two feet per resident with at least five feet clear hanging space for the storage of personal belongings. In addition, either a built-in or freestanding multiple-drawer bureau not less than two feet wide with a minimum of one drawer per resident shall be provided.

(10) Each resident bedroom shall be sized and dimensioned to accommodate hospital-type beds of not less than 76 inches long and 36 inches wide, a hospital-type bedside cabinet and an easy chair or comfortable straight-back arm chair.

(B) On and after April 30, 2022, resident bedrooms must adhere to the following occupancy and square footage requirements:

(1) No resident bedroom shall contain more than two beds; and

(2) For facilities that provide Level I, II or III care, in the event of new construction or reconstruction, as defined by CMS, of a building or nursing care unit, affected resident bedrooms must:

(a) Be shaped and sized so that each bed can be placed with a minimum clearance of four feet from any lateral wall, window or radiator on the transfer side of the resident bed and three feet from any lateral wall, window or radiator on the non-transfer side of the resident bed. In single occupancy rooms, an unobstructed passageway of at least three feet shall be maintained at the foot of each bed. In double occupancy rooms, an unobstructed passageway of at least four feet shall be maintained at the foot of each bed. In double occupancy rooms, resident beds must be spaced at least six feet apart.

(b) The floor area of each of the affected resident bedrooms shall not be less than 125 square feet for single occupancy rooms and 108 square feet per bed for double occupancy rooms.

Facilities that are unable to fully comply with 105 CMR 150.320(B)(1) by April 30, 2022 must demonstrate to the Department that the licensee has made good faith efforts to comply with 105 CMR 150.320(B)(1), in accordance with Department guidelines.

Notes

105 CMR 150.320

Adopted by Mass Register Issue 1361, eff. 3/23/2018. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1440, eff. 4/2/2021.