This regulation requires nursing facilities to provide sufficient space and equipment in dining, health services, recreation, and program areas to support resident care plans, including accommodating wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids. Facilities must ensure these areas are large enough so residents can access and use them without functional restriction. Program areas must also have adequate storage and space for therapy equipment and activity supplies.
View official sourceF907 (Rev. 173, Issued: 11-22-17, Effective: 11-28-17, Implementation: 11-28-17) §483.90(d) Space and Equipment The facility must-- §483.90(d)(1) Provide sufficient space and equipment in dining, health services, recreation, and program areas to enable staff to provide residents with needed services as required by these standards and as identified in each resident’s assessment and plan of care; and INTENT: §483.90(d)(1) The intent of this regulation is to ensure that dining, health services, recreation, activities and programs areas are large enough to comfortably accommodate the needs of the residents who usually occupy this space. Dining, health services, recreation, and program areas should be large enough to comfortably accommodate the persons who usually occupy that space, including the wheelchairs, walkers, and other ambulating aids used by the many residents who require more than standard movement spaces. “Sufficient space” means the resident can access the area, it is not functionally off-limits, and the resident’s functioning is not restricted once access to the space is gained. Program areas where resident groups engage in activities focused on manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination should have sufficient space for storage of their supplies and “works in progress.” Program areas where residents receive physical therapy should have sufficient space and equipment to meet the needs of the resident’s therapy requirement. “Recreation/activities area” means any area where residents can participate in those activities identified in their plan of care. PROCEDURES: §483.90(d)(1) In the use of space, consider if available space and equipment is sufficient in dining, health services, recreation, and program areas to allow residents to pursue activities and receive health services and programs as identified in their assessment and care plan. Is there sufficient space for storing and utilizing mobility devices, assistive technology, physical therapy or adaptive equipment as identified in the resident assessment or plan of care?