Or. Admin. R. 333-535-0070

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 8, August 1, 2024

Section 333-535-0070 - Newborn Nursery Units

(1) General. Newborn infants not cared for in a "rooming in" program in post-partum or LDR rooms, shall be housed in nurseries that comply with the standards below. Location shall allow for transfer of infants to post partum and birthing and LDR rooms without going through unrelated departmental or public corridors and spaces. The nursery shall be located and arranged to preclude the need for non-related pedestrian traffic. No nursery shall open directly into another nursery. See OAR 333-535-0050(2) for pediatric nurseries. See OAR 333-535-0041(4) for neonatal intensive care nurseries. Refer to mechanical and electrical sections for ventilation, oxygen, suction, medical air and electrical standards. All nurseries shall contain the following:

(a) At least one hand-washing station for each eight infant beds equipped with controls that can be operated without use of hands.

(b) Nurses' emergency calling system to summon assistance without leaving the patient area. Alternate technologies shall be permitted for emergency or nurse call systems. If radio frequency systems are utilized, consideration shall be given to electromagnetic compatibility between internal and external sources. Refer to OAR 333-535-0310, Electrical Requirements.

(c) Glazed observation windows to permit viewing infants from public areas, from workrooms, and from adjacent nurseries.

(d) Provisions shall be included for storage and convenient access at each nursery room for linens and infant supplies.

(2) Full-Term Nursery. Each full-term nursery shall contain no more than 16 standard infant stations. The minimum floor area shall be 24 square feet for each infant station exclusive of auxiliary work areas. When a "rooming-in" program is used, the total number of bassinets provided in these units may be appropriately reduced, but the full-term nursery may not be omitted in its entirety from any facility that includes obstetrical services. (When facilities use a "rooming-in" program in which all infants are returned to the nursery at night, a reduction in nursery size may not be practical.)

(3) Continuing Care Nursery. Hospitals having 25 or more maternity beds shall have a separate nursery that provides continuing care for infants who need close observation. The minimum floor area per infant shall be 50 square feet, exclusive of auxiliary work areas, with provisions for at least 4 feet between and at all sides of bassinets. The Division, however, may waive this requirement for low-risk obstetrical services in service areas where a second, full service nursery exists, and a safe method for transfer is in place and discussed in the Functional Program.

(4) Charting Facilities. Charting facilities shall have linear surface space to ensure that staff and physicians may chart and have simultaneous access to information and communication systems.

(5) Nursery workrooms. Each nursery shall be served by a connecting workroom that shall contain:

(a) Gowning facilities at the entrance for staff;

(b) Work counter;

(c) Refrigerator;

(d) Storage facilities; and

(e) A hand-washing station.

(f) One workroom may serve more than one nursery provided that required services are convenient to each.

(g) The workroom serving the full-term and continuing care nurseries may be omitted if equivalent work and storage areas and facilities, including those for scrubbing and gowning, are provided within that nursery. Space required for work areas located within the nursery is in addition to the area required for infant care.

(h) Provision shall be made for storage of emergency cart(s) and equipment out of traffic.

(i) Provision shall be made for the sanitary storage and disposal of soiled waste.

(j) Visual control shall be provided via borrowed lights or view panels between the staff work area and each nursery.

(6) Examination and Treatment Room or Space for Infants. Such areas, when required by the Functional Program shall contain a work counter, storage, and a hands-free hand-washing station. Exam and Treatment space may be located within the nursery workroom.

(7) Isolation Nursery. A separate isolation nursery is required unless other provision for the isolation of infants who are suspected of being infectious is made and included in the hospital's infection control policy.

(8) Infant Formula Facilities. Where infant formula is prepared on site, direct access from formula preparation room to any nursery room is prohibited. The room must include clean-up washing and sterilization facilities, separate facilities for formula preparation, and refrigerated storage and warming facilities. If commercial infant formula is used, storage and handling may be done in the nursery workroom or other appropriate room in the hospital that is accessible at all hours. The preparation area shall have a work counter, a hand-washing station, and storage facilities.

(9) Housekeeping Closet. In hospitals with continuing care nurseries, a housekeeping closet directly accessible from the unit and dedicated for the exclusive use of the Newborn Nursery, containing a floor receptor or sink and storage space for housekeeping equipment and supplies, shall be provided.

Or. Admin. R. 333-535-0070

HB 183, f. & ef. 5-26-66; HB 209, f. 12-18-68; HD 7-1979, f. & ef. 7-17-79; HD 11-1980, f. & ef. 9-10-80; Renumbered from 333-023-0200(7); HD 21-1987, f. & ef. 11-13-87; HD 29-1988, f. 12-29-88, cert. ef. 1-1-89, Renumbered from 333-074-0235; HD 21-1993, f. & cert. ef. 10-28-93; HD 2-2000, f. & cert. ef. 2-15-00; PH 10-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-09; PH 18-2019, repeal filed 10/01/2019, effective 1/1/2020

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 441.060

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 441.060