3701-7-05 Maternity unit: nursery.

(A) In addition to the applicable requirements of Chapter 3701-84 of the Administrative Code, each maternity unit shall provide newborn nursery facilities appropriate to the number of newborns that do not remain with their mothers during the postpartum stay, the average daily delivery volume, and the level designation of the newborn service under Chapter 3701-84 of the Administrative Code.

(B) Each newborn nursery room shall contain no more than sixteen newborn stations, and except as provided under this paragraph, provide a floor area of twenty-four square feet for each newborn station with a minimum of two feet between newborn stations. Maternity units providing care to newborns requiring close observation shall conform to the requirements set forth in Chapter 3701-84 of the Administrative Code for the level designation of that newborn service, and shall, at a minimum provide a floor area of fifty square feet with a distance of four feet between and at all sides of newborn stations.

(1) Medical gas, medical air, and vacuum outlets accessible to each newborn;

(2) At least one door in each newborn nursery room that exits to the main corridor;

(3) At least one sink, capable of hands free operation, for each eight newborn stations;

(4) Observation windows to permit the viewing of newborns from public areas, workrooms and adjacent nursery rooms;

(5) Lighting capable of varying from indirect to high intensity;

(6) A system for storage and distribution of emergency drugs and routine medications;

(7) A minimum of six total air changes per hour in all newborn nursery rooms;

(D) Maternity units may replace newborn nursery rooms with baby holding nurseries in postpartum and labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum areas. The holding nursery shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (B), (C)(1), and (C)(7) of this rule.

(E) Maternity units using a commercial infant formula shall provide for the storage and handling of the formula. Newborn care services preparing infant formula on site shall provide a separate room or area for the preparation of safe formula using aseptic technique. If any formula requires the addition of more than two measured ingredients, or requires the addition of an ingredient that requires measurements not available routinely in the nursery, the service shall provide a separate formula room.

(F) In addition to the requirements of this rule, each maternity unit that operates an intermediate care nursery or an intensive care nursery designated as a level II or III under Chapter 3701-84 of the Administrative Code shall provide:

(1) A clearly identified entrance large enough to accommodate portable x-ray equipment, and a reception area for families. The reception area shall permit visual observation and contact by the staff of all individuals entering the unit. A scrub area shall be provided at each family entrance to the newborn care area;

(2) At least one door to each nursery room shall be large enough to accommodate portable x-ray equipment;

(3) A system to provide efficient and controlled access to the nursery from the labor and delivery area, the emergency room, and other referral entry points;

(4) Work areas, in addition to newborn care space;

(5) A minimum of one hundred square feet of open floor space for each newborn station. Additional space shall be provided based on acuity level of the newborn. There shall be an aisle adjacent to each newborn station with a minimum width of three feet to accommodate movement through the nursery without disturbing newborn care;

(6) A minimum of three medical gas, three medical air, three vacuum outlets, and seven duplex-grounded electrical receptacles organized in an accessible and safe manner for each newborn station. Fifty per cent of electrical outlets must be connected to the emergency system power and so labeled.

(7) A respiratory therapy work area and storage area within the newborn care area or in close proximity; and

(8) A transition room that allows parents and infant extended private time together in close proximity to the nursery. The room shall have a sink and toilet fixtures, a bed for parents, sufficient space for an infant bed and equipment, communication linkage with newborn intensive care nursery staff, and electric, air, vacuum, and medical gas outlets. The transition room may be used for other purposes when not required for use by parents and infant.

Effective: 08/01/2008

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 03/26/2008 and 03/01/2013

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3701.34, 3711.02

Rule Amplifies: 3711.05, 3711.06

Prior Effective Dates: 7/15/1976, 4/30/03