1224.4.4.1 Examination and Treatment Rooms
Unless specified elsewhere, if an exam room is provided, it shall have a minimum clear floor area of 80 square feet (7.4 m2), the least dimension of which shall be 8 feet (2438mm). The room shall contain a handwashing fixture and accommodations for written or electronic documentation shall be provided.
Unless specified elsewhere, if a treatment room is provided, it shall have a minimum clear floor area of 120 square feet (11.15 m2), the least dimension of which shall be 10 feet (3048 mm). A minimum of 3 feet (914 mm) is required between the sides and foot of the bed/gurney/table and any wall or other fixed obstruction. The room shall contain an examination light, a work counter for medical equipment, a handwashing fixture, cabinets, medication storage and counter space for writing or electronic documentation. Multi-bed treatment rooms shall have separate patient cubicles with a minimum clear floor area of 80 square feet (7.4 m2) per cubicle. Each cubicle shall contain an examination light, counter and storage facilities, In multi-bed treatment rooms, a hand-washing fixture shall be provided in the room for each three or fewer cubicles.
When provided, the airborne infection isolation room shall be an exam/treatment room, shall be labeled with the words "Airborne Infection Room", and provide the following:
- Capacity. Each airborne infection isolation exam/treatment room shall contain only one examination table or recliner.
- Handwashing station. A handwashing station shall be located in each airborne infection isolation exam/treatment room.
- Gowning and storage area. An area for gowning and storage of clean and soiled materials shall be located directly outside or inside the entry door to the airborne infection isolation exam/treatment room.
- Doors. Room doors shall be self-closing and include latching devices.
- Sealed-tight room. Room perimeter walls, ceiling, floors, doors and penetration shall be sealed tightly to minimize air infiltration from the outside or from other spaces.
- Ventilation. The ventilation shall be provided as required by the California Mechanical Code for airborne infection isolation room.
An airborne infection isolation anteroom is not required; however, when an anteroom is provided, it shall meet the following requirements:
- The anteroom shall provide space for persons to don personal protective equipment before entering the patient room.
- All doors to the anteroom shall have self-closing devices.
- The anteroom shall provide storage of personal protective equipment (e.g. respirators, gowns, gloves) and clean equipment.
- Ventilation shall be provided in the anteroom as required by the California Mechanical Code for airborne infection isolation anteroom.
- Capacity. Each room shall accommodate only one patient.
- Layout and access. Seclusion rooms shall be accessed through an anteroom or vestibule that also provides access to a toilet room. The door openings to the anteroom and the toilet room shall have a minimum clear width of 3 feet 8 inches (1118 mm).
- The room(s) shall be located to permit observation from the nurse station.
- Seclusion rooms shall be permitted to be grouped together and may share a common vestibule/anteroom.
- The walls, ceiling, and floor of the seclusion room shall be designed to withstand direct and forceful impact. If padded materials are used inside the room, they shall meet the interior finish requirements in Chapter 8, Interior Finishes, of this code.
- Minimum ceiling height shall be 9 feet (2743 mm).
- Doors.
- Door hardware shall be ligature resistant.
- The entrance door to the seclusion room shall swing outward.
- Doors shall permit staff observation of the patient through a view panel while also maintaining provisions for patient privacy. The maximum sill height shall be 36 inches (914 mm) above the finish floor. The view panel shall be fixed glazing with polycarbonate or laminate on the inside of the glazing.
- Seclusion rooms shall not contain outside corners or edges.
- All items in the room (e.g., lighting fixtures, sprinkler heads, HVAC grilles, and surveillance cameras, etc.) shall be tamper resistant.
- Electrical switches and receptacles are prohibited in the seclusion room.