N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-19.34

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 8:43G-19.34 - Normal newborn nursery or holding nursery

(a) There shall be either a normal newborn nursery or a holding nursery. A normal newborn nursery shall be located close to the postpartum unit and shall be inaccessible to unrelated traffic. If a holding nursery is provided, it shall meet the requirements of (b) through (g) below.

(b) The number of bassinets shall equal the number of licensed obstetric beds.

(c) A minimum of 24 square feet for each bassinet exclusive of auxiliary work areas shall be provided, with three feet between bassinets in all directions from edge of one to the other with a separate aisle four feet wide, in addition to the required bed space.

(d) A maximum of 16 bassinets shall be permitted in one normal newborn nursery.

(e) One oxygen outlet, one medical air outlet and one vacuum outlet for each infant station shall be provided.

(f) Oxygen air and suction systems shall have chime alarms to signal loss of suction or low oxygen and air supply.

(g) Two duplex wall-mounted electrical receptacles shall be provided for every infant station.

(h) A free-standing handwashing sink with hands free controls shall be provided, with a minimum of one sink at each end of the nursery, and at a ratio of one sink for every six infant stations.

(i) There shall be at least one lactation support room available for consultation, breastfeeding and expression of breast milk.

(j) A soiled utility room shall be provided.

(k) A clean utility room or area shall be provided.

(l) An examination and treatment room or work area shall be provided within the suite. Such room or work area shall contain a work-counter, storage, and a free-standing sink equipped for handwashing with foot control.

(m) Storage facilities for the newborn nursery shall be as follows:

1. There shall be storage space for items such as linens and formula within the area;

2. There shall be an equipment storage room for large items of equipment; and

3. There shall be storage space within the nursery area for an emergency cart.

(n) The normal newborn nursery shall be served by a connecting workroom.

(o) There shall be separate changing areas for men and women, located so that staff are able to change clothing prior to entering the clean area of the neonatal nursery unit.

(p) A scrub gowning area shall be provided for staff and housekeeping personnel at the entrance of each nursery, but separate from the work area. The scrub gowning area shall contain a free-standing handwashing sink with hands free controls and a bowl large enough to prevent splashing. The following shall be provided:

1. Racks, hooks or lockers for storage of street clothes and personal items;

2. Cabinets with clean gowns; and

3. A receptacle for used gowns.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-19.34

New Rule, R.1990 d.422, effective 9/4/1990.
See: 21 N.J.R. 3642(a), 22 N.J.R. 2705(a).
Recodified from N.J.A.C. 8:43G-19.48 and amended by R.1999 d.436, effective 12/20/1999.
See: 31 N.J.R. 367(a), 31 N.J.R. 614(a), 31 N.J.R. 4293(c).
Rewrote the section.
Amended by R.2014 d.025, effective 1/21/2014.
See: 45 N.J.R. 194(a), 46 N.J.R. 214(a).
In (i), substituted "lactation support" for "multi-purpose" and "breastfeeding and expression of breast milk" for "breast feeding, lactation training and conferences".