W. Va. Code R. § 64-59-15 - Physical Environment

15.1. Mental Health Facilities Generally

15.1.1. Facilities shall provide an environment that complies with 42 C.F.R. § 482.41 and respects the human dignity of the patients. The grounds of the facilities shall have adequate space for the facility to carry out its stated goals. All facilities shall be accessible to individuals with a disability.

15.1.2. Behavioral health facilities shall provide facilities which afford patients privacy, dignity, comfort, safety, and sanitation.

15.1.3. There shall be appropriate and sufficient lighting in each facility, and whenever possible and consistent with the safety of patients, the lighting shall be controlled by patients.

15.1.4. Whenever possible, the environment shall provide views of the outdoors.

15.1.5. All rooms shall provide adequate ventilation and comfortable temperatures. Direct outside air ventilation shall be provided to each patient's room or the room shall have operable windows unless otherwise contraindicated. Ventilation shall be sufficient to remove all undesirable odors.

15.1.6. Every room shall be kept clean, odorless, and insect free.

15.1.7. Areas with the following characteristics shall be available to meet the needs of patients:

15.1.7.a. Areas that accommodate a full range of social activities, from two person conversations to group activities;

15.1.7.b. Attractively furnished areas with a supply of comfortable chairs adequate to meet patient requests and needs for seating, and areas in which a patient can be alone, when appropriate; and

15.1.7.c. Attractively furnished areas for private conversations with other patients, family, or friends.

15.1.8. Inpatient life shall be structured so that it is possible for patients to wear and use glasses, hearing aids, crutches, braces, rolling walkers, and similar aids in their units and rooms.

15.1.9. The use and location of noise-producing equipment and appliances, such as televisions, radios, and record players shall not interfere with other therapeutic activities.

15.1.10. A place and equipment shall be provided for table games and individual hobbies. Equipment and games shall be stored on shelves that are accessible to patients as appropriate. An adequate budget for the materials and equipment shall be maintained so that items which are lost, broken, or stolen can be replaced.

15.1.11. Unless contraindicated by the IPP, male and female patients may be housed on the same inpatient units and in a manner that allows interaction and as closely resembles noninstitutional living as possible.

15.1.12. Facilities that routinely serve non-ambulatory patients or medically fragile patients shall also comply with the following requirements:

15.1.12.a. Each patient's bed shall have a call signal that registers at the nursing station;

15.1.12.b. Beds shall be placed so that patients are not exposed to temperatures outside of normal comfort range; and

15.1.12.c. The facility shall establish a program for identifying, investigating, preventing, and controlling infections; monitoring the health status of employees; and providing aseptic procedures and isolation techniques.

15.2. Bedrooms in Inpatient Facilities.

15.2.1. Each facility shall provide furnishings and equipment which are clean and in good condition, and appropriate to the age and physical conditions of the patients. Every patient shall be provided with a normalized, comfortable, and attractive living space.

15.2.2. An individual bed shall be provided for each patient.

15.2.3. No person shall be housed in a bedroom with more than one other person. Sleeping areas shall be assigned based on the patient's need for group support, privacy, and independence.

15.2.4. All bedrooms shall have outside windows, be above ground level, and provide adequate space for patient privacy.

15.2.5. Ample closet and drawer space shall be provided for storing clothes, personal hygiene articles, and other personal property or property provided for patients' use.

15.2.6. Bathrooms and bedrooms shall have doors and other barriers suitable to provide privacy.

15.2.7. All mattresses shall be fire and urine resistant and without appreciable sag. All reasonable requests by patients for new mattresses shall be honored.

15.2.8. Blankets with holes or stains shall be cleaned and repaired or replaced.

15.2.9. Patients shall be allowed to keep and display personal belongings and to add personal touches to the decoration of their rooms unless otherwise contraindicated.

15.2.10. Articles for grooming and personal hygiene shall be readily available in a space reserved near the patient's sleeping area.

15.2.11. Patients shall have ready access to the grounds and to their bedrooms unless contraindicated by their IPP or attending physician.

15.2.12. All windows in bedrooms shall have curtains or blinds and all beds shall have bedspreads.

15.3. Bathrooms, etc. in Inpatient Facilities.

15.3.1. The facility shall have toilets, water fountains, bathing and hand washing facilities which are accessible, private, and easily usable, including special equipment for persons with disabilities. All toilets shall have toilet seats and all toilet stalls shall have doors or promote privacy.

15.3.2. There shall be easily accessible and adequate toilet paper, bath towels, soap, linen, bedding, etc. Clean towels and bed linens shall be provided at least twice weekly.

15.3.3. All sinks, showers, and bathtubs used by patients shall dispense hot and cold water and be provided with hot and cold water at all times except as required for repair or maintenance. All showers shall have doors or curtains and all bathtubs shall be screened for privacy.

15.4. Other Areas

15.4.1. Bathrooms are to be cleaned as often as necessary every day, and bathtubs shall be cleaned after the bath of each patient. The smell of harsh disinfectants shall be eliminated.

15.4.2. There shall be separate clean and dirty linen storage areas.

15.4.3. Patients' personal laundry shall be done at least two times per week. Patients' rooms and common areas shall be thoroughly cleaned at least two times per week.

15.4.4. Living areas shall have comfortable chairs appropriate for patients in numbers sufficient to seat every patient desiring to sit in a chair unless otherwise contraindicated.

15.4.5. An adequate number of lamps shall be provided in every living area.

15.4.6. Clocks and calendars shall be provided in at least major use areas.

15.4.7. Mirrors shall be placed at reasonable heights in appropriate places to aid in patients' grooming.

15.4.8. Books, magazines, and arts and crafts materials shall be available in accordance with patients' backgrounds and needs. An adequate library shall be maintained at each facility.

15.4.9. Living, program, and working areas shall be quiet, appropriately designed, and conducive to programs. Acoustical ceiling tiles shall be installed wherever noise levels remain high.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 64-59-15