Environmental Standards for Assisted Living Facilities

Environmental Standards for Assisted Living Facilities

Providing a clean, odorless community free of debris and insects is an absolute must for facilities to provide to residents. There should never be a reason why you cannot keep your community looking clean- even if your physical plant is older and in need of a remodel. While a clean community is the absolute minimum requirement for facilities, the Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing has issued the following regulation surrounding the environmental standards in the state of Arizona:

R9-10-819. Environmental Standards

A manager shall ensure that:
The premises and equipment used at the assisted living facility are:
Cleaned and, if applicable, disinfected according to policies and procedures designed to prevent, minimize, and control illness or infection; and
Free from a condition or situation that may cause a resident or other individual to suffer physical injury;
A pest control program that complies with A.A.C. R3-8-201(C)(4) is implemented and documented;
Garbage and refuse are:
Stored in covered containers lined with plastic bags, and
Removed from the premises at least once a week;
Heating and cooling systems maintain the assisted living facility at a temperature between 70° F and 84° F at all times, unless individually controlled by a resident;
Common areas:
Are lighted to ensure the safety of residents, and
Have lighting sufficient to allow caregivers and assistant caregivers to monitor resident activity;
Hot water temperatures are maintained between 95º F and 120º F in areas of an assisted living facility used by residents;
The supply of hot and cold water is sufficient to meet the personal hygiene needs of residents and the cleaning and sanitation requirements in this Article;
A resident has access to a laundry service or a washing machine and dryer in the assisted living facility;
Soiled linen and soiled clothing stored by the assisted living facility are maintained separate from clean linen and clothing and stored in closed containers away from food storage, kitchen, and dining areas;
Oxygen containers are secured in an upright position;
Poisonous or toxic materials stored by the assisted living facility are maintained in labeled containers in a locked area separate from food preparation and storage, dining areas, and medications and are inaccessible to residents;
Combustible or flammable liquids and hazardous materials stored by the assisted living facility are stored in the original labeled containers or safety containers in a locked area inaccessible to residents;
Equipment used at the assisted living facility is:
Maintained in working order;
Tested and calibrated according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or, if there are no manufacturer’s recommendations, as specified in policies and procedures; and
Used according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
If pets or animals are allowed in the assisted living facility, pets or animals are:
Controlled to prevent endangering the residents and to maintain sanitation;
Licensed consistent with local ordinances; and
For a dog or cat, vaccinated against rabies;
If a water source that is not regulated under 18 A.A.C. 4 by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is used:
The water source is tested at least once every 12 months for total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria;
If necessary, corrective action is taken to ensure the water is safe to drink; and
Documentation of testing is retained for at least 12 months after the date of the test; and
If a non-municipal sewage system is used, the sewage system is in working order and is maintained according to applicable state laws and rules.
If a swimming pool is located on the premises, a manager shall ensure that:
On a day that a resident uses the swimming pool, an employee:
Tests the swimming pool’s water quality at least once for compliance with one of the following chemical disinfection standards:
A free chlorine residual between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm as measured by the N, N-Diethyl-p-phenylenediamine test;
A free bromine residual between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm as measured by the N, N-Diethyl-p-phenylenediamine test; or

iii. An oxidation-reduction potential equal to or greater than 650 millivolts; and

Records the results of the water quality tests in a log that includes the date tested and test result;
Documentation of the water quality test is maintained for at least 12 months after the date of the test; and
A swimming pool is not used by a resident if a water quality test shows that the swimming pool water does not comply with subsection (B)(1)(a).

Top Takeaways:

Heating and cooling systems maintain the assisted living facility at a temperature between 70° F and 84° F at all times unless individually controlled by a resident;

You need to pay close attention to the temperature in your community. Keeping the facility too hot or too cold can cause health issues including heatstroke, excessive sweating, dry skin, balance problems, and even hypothermia.

Poisonous or toxic materials stored by the assisted living facility are maintained in labeled containers in a locked area separate from food preparation and storage, dining areas, and medications and are inaccessible to residents;

There is a huge risk associated with the improper handling and storage of toxic materials in an ALF due to the nature of the residents we serve. The survey team will easily be able to spot if you are out of compliance with this regulation as it is a life and health safety risk.

If pets or animals are allowed in the assisted living facility, pets or animals are:

Controlled to prevent endangering the residents and to maintain sanitation;
Licensed consistent with local ordinances; and
For a dog or cat, vaccinated against rabies;

Having immunization records for any animals residing in the facility is almost as important as having records for your staff. If a staff member or resident is bitten by the animal, you need to be able to produce documentation showing that the animal is immunized.