S.C. Code Regs. § 61-17.2600.2602 - Resident Rooms

A. With the exception of furniture unless otherwise allowed by facility policy, a resident shall have the choice of bringing familiar items from home as part of the furnishing to his or her room, for example, wall pictures, paintings, or vases. Each resident room shall be equipped with the following as a minimum for each resident:

1. A comfortable single bed having a mattress with moisture-proof cover, sheets, blankets, bedspread, pillow, and pillowcases. Roll-away type beds, cots, bunkbeds, and folding beds shall not be used. It is permissible to utilize a recliner in lieu of a bed or remove a resident bed and place the mattress on a platform or pallet provided the physician or other authorized healthcare provider has approved it and the decision is documented in the ICP. (II)

EXCEPTION: In the case of a married couple sharing the same room, a double bed is permitted if requested. For all other requirements, this shall be considered a bedroom with two (2) beds. A roll-away type bed or cot may be temporarily used for family or responsible party staying overnight with the resident.

2. A facility shall provide a closet or wardrobe, a bureau consisting of at least three drawers, and a compartmentalized bedside table or nightstand to adequately accommodate each resident's personal clothing, belongings, and toilet articles. Built-in storage is permitted.

3. A comfortable chair shall be available for each resident occupying the room. If the available square footage of the resident room will not accommodate a chair for each resident or if the provision of multiple chairs impedes resident ability to freely and safely move about within his or her room, the facility shall provide at least one (1) chair and have additional chairs available for temporary use in the resident's room by visitors.

B. If hospital-type beds are used, there shall be at least two (2) lockable casters on each bed, located either diagonally or on the same side of the bed.

C. Beds shall not be placed in corridors, solaria, or other locations not designated as resident room areas. (I)

D. No resident room shall be located in a basement.

E. Access to a resident room shall not be by way of another resident room, toilet, bathroom, or kitchen.

F. A facility shall provide equipment such as bedpans, urinals, and hot water bottles, necessary to meet resident needs. Permanent positioning of a portable commode at bedside shall only be permitted if the room is private, the commode is maintained in a sanitary condition, and the room is of sufficient size to accommodate the commode. (II)

G. Side rails may be utilized when required for safety and when ordered by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider. When there are special concerns, such as residents with Alzheimer's disease and/or related dementia, side rail usage shall be monitored by staff members as per facility policies and procedures. (I)

H. In semi-private rooms, when personal care is being provided, arrangements shall be made to ensure privacy, for example, portable partitions or cubicle curtains when needed or requested by a resident.

I. A facility shall provide at least one (1) private room for assistance in addressing resident compatibility issues, resident preferences, and accommodations for residents with communicable disease.

J. Infants and small children shall not be assigned to a room with an adult resident unless requested by residents and families.

K. A facility shall provide cubicle curtains with built-in curtain tracks in all multiple bed rooms that will shield each resident completely. Curtains shall be flameproof.

L. Beds must be placed at least three (3) feet apart.

M. A facility shall provide at least one (1) private room in each nursing unit for purposes of medical isolation, incompatibility, personality conflicts, or other.

Notes

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-17.2600.2602

Renumbered from 61-17.2800.2802 State Register Volume 40, Issue No. 03, eff. 3/25/2016.