Rule 3701-17-16 | Equipment and supplies.
(A) Each resident, if the resident so chooses, will be provided with an individual bed not less than thirty-six inches wide, a clean comfortable flame-resistant mattress suitable for the size of the resident, and clean pillows, sheets, and covering suitable for the resident's comfort. A nursing home will arrange for the provision of at least a double size bed, upon request of a married couple or other consenting adult residents sharing a room in accordance with the nursing home's policy, unless there is an overriding documented medical reason that puts one of the consenting parties at risk of health and safety or there is a risk to other residents. Mattresses will be protected with waterproof material unless otherwise ordered by a physician. Roll away beds, cots, double deck beds, stacked bunk beds, hide-a-bed couches, or studio couches are not authorized to be used as a substitution for the beds obligated by this rule. All mattresses purchased or obtained by the nursing home, or brought to the nursing home by residents, will be in safe condition. If the resident chooses to sleep on an alternate piece of furniture, such as a reclining chair, the nursing home will ensure that a bed meeting the provisions of this rule remains available to the resident upon request;
(B) Unless otherwise ordered by a physician or other licensed health professional acting with the applicable scope of practice, each resident will be provided with a bedside table, a bedside light that is sufficient for reading and staff rendering of bedside care, a bureau or equivalent, a waste basket with liners, a comfortable chair, and adequate closet or wardrobe space for the storage of personal clothing in the resident's room. A nursing home may provide additional storage space for resident belongings elsewhere in the nursing home. Resident rooms are to be designed or equipped to assure full visual privacy for each resident including blinds, shades, or curtains for each exterior window in a resident's room that the resident may open and close or have opened or closed for them upon request. For the purposes of this paragraph, "full visual privacy" means that the resident has a means of completely withdrawing from public view while occupying their bed through such means as a curtain, movable screens or a private room.
(C) Each nursing home will have a call signal system in good working order, is accessible directly or through assistive devices assessed to be most appropriate for the resident's physical and cognitive capacity, and is within reach of the resident that, at minimum, provides for the transmission of calls from resident rooms and toilet and bathing facilities.
(D) Supplies such as hypodermic syringes, needles, and lancets will be discarded after use in accordance with state and federal provisions. Reusable items will be cleaned and disinfected according to manufacturer's directions and in accordance with applicable state and federal law and regulations.
(E) All nursing homes will, at all times, have the supplies and equipment necessary to provide the services and nursing care needed by the type of residents admitted to or residing in the nursing home. Wheelchairs, gerichairs, quad canes, adaptive eating equipment and utensils, and other assistive devices are to be maintained in good and safe working condition and be equipped properly for the specific needs of each resident.
(1) All equipment and supplies in a nursing home are to be kept clean and usable and be satisfactorily stored when not in use.
(2) In selecting supplies and equipment, the home will consider resident needs.
(F) Within areas generally accessible to residents, all disinfectants, pesticides, and poisons will be kept in a locked area separate from medications and food.
(G) The nursing home will provide a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment allowing each resident to use personal belongings to the extent possible. Residents may refuse furnishings, equipment and supplies provided by the nursing home. The nursing home will allow residents to bring their own furnishings and other personal items into the home to personalize their individual environment if the furnishings and items do not create a health and safety risk, are not medically inadvisable, or infringe upon the rights of other residents. Upon request, the nursing home will assist the resident in obtaining essential furnishings and supplies.
Last updated July 17, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Supplemental Information