DHS 131.37(4)(c)
(c) All public spaces shall be accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.
DHS 131.37(4)(d)
(d) At least one wheelchair-accessible toilet room shall be provided in the facility.
DHS 131.37(4)(e)
(e) Electrical switches, receptacles and other devices shall be mounted at accessible heights and locations, but at least 18 inches above floor and no more than 42 inches above the floor.
DHS 131.37(5)(a)1.1. Patient bedrooms shall be designed and equipped for the comfort and privacy of the patient and shall be equipped with or conveniently located near toilet and bathing facilities.
DHS 131.37(5)(a)2.
2. Patient bedrooms shall be enclosed by full-height partitions and rigid, swing-type doors, may not be used to gain access to any other part of the facility or to any required exit, and may not be used for purposes other than sleeping and living.
DHS 131.37(5)(a)3.
3. Transoms, louvers and grills are not permitted in or above patient's bedroom door exiting to the corridor.
DHS 131.37(5)(b)1.1. A patient bedroom may accommodate no more than 3 patients except that in new construction a patient bedroom may accommodate no more than 2 persons. Patients of the opposite sex may not be required to occupy the same sleeping room.
DHS 131.37(5)(b)2.
2. The minimum floor area per bed shall be 80 square feet in multiple patient rooms and 100 square feet in single patient rooms. The distance between patient beds in multipatient rooms shall be at least 3 feet.
DHS 131.37(5)(c)1.1. Beds shall be located the minimum distance from heat producing sources recommended by the manufacturer or 18 inches, whichever is greater, except that a bed may be closer than 18 inches to a forced air register but may not block it.
DHS 131.37(5)(c)2.
2. There shall be at least 3 feet between beds where the space is necessary for patient or staff access.
DHS 131.37(5)(c)3.
3. Visual privacy shall be provided for each patient in multibed patient rooms. In new or remodeled construction, cubicle curtains shall be provided.
DHS 131.37(5)(d)
(d) Semiambulatory and nonambulatory patients. For rooms with semiambulatory or nonambulatory patients, mobility space at the end and one side of each bed may not be not less than 4 feet. Adequate accessible space for storage of a patient's wheelchair or other adaptive or prosthetic equipment shall be provided and shall be readily accessible to the patient. In this paragraph, "semiambulatory" means able to walk with difficulty or able to walk only with assistance of an aid such as crutches, a cane or a walker, and "nonambulatory" means not able to walk at all.
DHS 131.37(5)(e)
(e) Equipment and supplies. Each patient shall be provided with all of the following:
DHS 131.37(5)(e)1.
1. A separate bed of proper size and height for the convenience of the patient. Beds shall be at least 36 inches wide and shall be maintained in good condition.
DHS 131.37(5)(e)2.
2. Drawer space available in the bedroom for personal clothing and possessions.
DHS 131.37(5)(e)3.
3. Closet or wardrobe space with clothes racks and shelves in the bedroom. Closets or wardrobes shall have an enclosed space of not less than 15 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 5 feet in height for each patient.
DHS 131.37(6)
(6) Habitable rooms. All habitable rooms shall have an average ceiling height of not less than 7 feet.
DHS 131.37(7)(a)(a)
Minimum size. Every living and sleeping room shall have one or more outside-facing windows with a total sash area of at least 8% of the floor area of the room. The openable area of a window shall be equal to not less than 4% of the floor area of the room.
DHS 131.37(7)(b)
(b) Openable bedroom window. At least one outside window in a bedroom shall be openable from the inside without the use of tools.
DHS 131.37(7)(c)
(c) Storm windows and screens. All windows serving habitable rooms shall be provided with storm windows in winter, except insulated windows, and openable windows serving habitable rooms shall be provided with insect-proof screens in summer.
DHS 131.37(8)(a)(a) Every hospice facility shall be supplied with electrical service and shall have wiring, outlets and fixtures properly installed and maintained in good and safe working condition.
DHS 131.37(8)(b)
(b) All bathroom outlets and all outlets on the exterior of the facility and in the garage shall have ground fault interrupt protection.
DHS 131.37(8)(c)
(c) Outlets shall be located to minimize the use of extension cords.
DHS 131.37(8)(d)
(d) When extension cords are needed, they shall be rated appropriately for the ampere capacity of the appliance being used.
DHS 131.37(8)(e)
(e) An extension cord may not extend beyond the room of origin, may not be a substitute for permanent wiring, may not be located beneath rugs or carpeting and may not be located across any pathways.
DHS 131.37(8)(f)
(f) There shall be a switch or equivalent device for turning on at least one light in each room or passageway. The switch or equivalent device shall be located so as to conveniently control the lighting in the area.
DHS 131.37(8)(g)
(g) All electrical cords and appliances shall be maintained in a safe condition. Frayed wires and cracked or damaged switches, plugs and electric fixtures shall be repaired or replaced.
DHS 131.37(9)
(9) Patient call system. A reliable call mechanism shall be provided in every location where patients may be left unattended, including patient rooms, toilet and bathing areas and designated high risk treatment areas from which individuals may need to summon assistance.
DHS 131.37(10)
(10) Bedding and laundry. There shall be separate clean linen and dirty linen storage areas.
DHS 131.37(10)(b)3.
3. Mattress and pillow covers as necessary to keep mattresses and pillows clean and dry.
DHS 131.37 Note
Note: When plastic mattress covers are used, there shall be a mattress pad the same size as the mattress over the plastic mattress cover.
DHS 131.37(10)(c)
(c) Clean sheets, pillowcases, towels and washcloths shall be available at least weekly and shall be changed as necessary to ensure that at all times they are clean and free from odors.
DHS 131.37(11)
(11) Dayroom or lounge. At least one dayroom or lounge, centrally located, shall be provided for use of the patients.
DHS 131.37(12)
(12) Size of dining room. Dining rooms shall be of sufficient size to seat all patients at no more than 2 shifts. Dining tables and chairs shall be provided. Television trays or portable card tables may not be used as the primary dining tables.
DHS 131.37(13)
(13) Kitchen. The kitchen shall be located on the premises, or a satisfactory sanitary method of transportation of food shall be provided. If there is a kitchen on the premises, it shall meet food service needs and be arranged and equipped for proper refrigeration, heating, storage, preparation and serving of food. Adequate space shall be provided for proper refuse handling and washing of waste receptacles, and for storage of cleaning compounds.
DHS 131.37(14)
(14) Multipurpose room. If a multipurpose room is used for dining, diversional and social activities of patients, there shall be sufficient space to accommodate all activities and minimize their interference with each other.
DHS 131.37(15)(a)(a) In existing facilities, the combined floor space of dining, recreation, and activity areas shall not be less than 15 square feet per bed. Solaria and lobby sitting space may be included, but shall not include required exit paths. A required exit path in these areas shall be at least 4 feet wide.
DHS 131.37(15)(b)
(b) In new construction, the combined floor space of dining, recreation, and activity areas shall not be less than 25 square feet per bed. Solaria and lobby areas, exclusive of traffic areas, shall be categorized as living room space.
DHS 131.37(15)(c)
(c) All required dining and living areas within the building shall be internally accessible to every patient of the hospice.
DHS 131.37(15)(d)
(d) Each habitable room shall contain furnishings appropriate to the intended use of the room. Furnishings shall be safe for use by patients, and shall be comfortable, clean and maintained in good repair.
DHS 131.37(15)(e)
(e) Adequate space and equipment shall be designated to meet the needs of the patients and family members for privacy and social activities.
DHS 131.37(16)(a)(a) The facility shall have a heating system capable of maintaining a temperature of 72º F. (20º C.) during periods of occupancy. Temperatures during sleeping hours may be reduced to 68º F. (18º C.). Higher or lower temperatures shall be available upon request.
DHS 131.37(16)(b)
(b) The heating system shall be maintained in a safe and properly functioning condition.
DHS 131.37(16)(c)
(c) The use of portable space heaters is prohibited except for permanently wired electric heaters which have an automatic thermostatic control and are attached to a wall.
DHS 131.37(17)(a)1.1. Each hospice shall have at least one separate bath and one separate toilet room or one combination bath and toilet room for the use of patients which is accessible from public, non-sleeping areas, except where private bath and toilet rooms are adjacent to each sleeping room.
DHS 131.37(17)(a)2.
2. Each floor in which patient sleeping, dining and living rooms are located shall have bath and toilet facilities or one combination bath and toilet room for use of patients which is accessible from public, non-sleeping areas, except where private bath and toilet rooms are adjacent to each bedroom.
DHS 131.37(17)(a)3.
3. All bath and toilet areas shall be well lighted. Bath and toilet rooms shall be provided with at least one electrical fixture to provide artificial light.
DHS 131.37(17)(a)4.
4. Toilets, bathtubs and showers used by residents shall provide for individual privacy. If door locks are used for privacy they shall be operable from both sides in an emergency.
DHS 131.37(17)(a)5.
5. All toilet and bathing areas, facilities and fixtures shall be kept clean, in good repair and in good working order.
DHS 131.37(17)(b)1.1. Toilets and sinks shall be provided in the ratio of at least one toilet and at least one sink for every 4 residents and other occupants or a fraction thereof. At least one bathtub or shower shall be available for every 8 residents and other occupants or a fraction thereof.
DHS 131.37(17)(b)2.
2. Where fixtures are accessible only through a sleeping room, they may be counted as meeting the requirements for only the occupants of the sleeping room.
DHS 131.37(18)(a)(a) Each sink, bathtub and shower shall be connected to hot and cold water, and adequate hot water shall be supplied to meet the needs of the patients.
DHS 131.37(18)(b)
(b) Hot water at taps accessible to patients may not exceed 110º F.
DHS 131.37(18)(c)
(c) Where a public water supply is not available, the well or wells shall be approved by the Wisconsin department of natural resources. Water samples from an approved well shall be tested at least annually at the state laboratory of hygiene or another laboratory approved under
42 CFR 493 (CLIA).
DHS 131.37(18)(d)
(d) The hospice shall make provision for obtaining emergency fuel and water supplies.
DHS 131.37(19)(a)(a)
Discharge. If a municipal sewer system is available, all sewage shall be discharged into it. If a municipal sewer system is not available, the sewage shall be collected, treated, and disposed of by means of an independent sewer system approved under
ch. SPS 383.
DHS 131.37(20)(a)(a) The building shall be maintained in good repair and free of hazards such as cracks in floors, walls or ceilings, warped or loose boards, warped, broken, loose or cracked floor covering such as tile or linoleum, loose handrails or railings, and loose or broken window panes.
DHS 131.37(20)(b)
(b) All electrical, mechanical, water supply, fire protection and sewage disposal systems shall be maintained in a safe and functioning condition.
DHS 131.37(20)(c)
(c) All plumbing fixtures shall be in good repair, properly functioning and satisfactorily provided with protection to prevent contamination from entering the water supply piping.
DHS 131.37(20)(e)
(e) All furniture and furnishings shall be kept clean and maintained in good repair.
DHS 131.37(20)(f)
(f) Storage areas shall be maintained in a safe, dry and orderly condition. Attics and basements shall be free of accumulation of garbage, refuse, soiled laundry, discarded furniture, old newspapers, boxes, discarded equipment and similar items.
DHS 131.37(20)(g)
(g) Abrasive strips or nonskid surfaces to reduce or prevent slipping shall be used where slippery surfaces present a hazard.
DHS 131.37(20)(h)
(h) The grounds, yards, and sidewalks shall be maintained in a neat, orderly and safe condition.
DHS 131.37(21)
(21) Floors and stairs. Floors and stairs shall be maintained in a nonhazardous condition.
DHS 131.37(22)
(22) Exits. Sidewalks, doorways, stairways, fire escapes and driveways used for exiting shall be kept free of ice, snow and obstructions.
DHS 131.37(23)
(23) Door locks. The employee in charge of the facility on each work shift shall have a key or other means of opening all locks or closing devices on all doors in the facility.
DHS 131.37(24)(a)(a) Each hospice shall have a written plan posted in a conspicuous place which specifies procedures for the orderly evacuation of patients in case of an emergency. The plan shall include an evacuation diagram. The evacuation diagram shall in addition be posted in a conspicuous place in the facility.
DHS 131.37(24)(b)
(b) The licensee, administrator and all staff who work in the hospice facility shall be trained in all aspects of the emergency plan.
