US · guidance
CMS SOM App. U, Tag R214
(v) Have at least one window to the outside
Interpretive Guidelines: §403.742(b)(1)(v)
Every patient sleeping room shall have an outside window. A facility with patient room
windows that open to an outside atrium such as a courtyard in accordance with Life
Safety Code, can meet this requirement for a window to the outside. Windows facing an
interior atrium, skylights, etc., do not meet this requirement.
In addition, the intent of this standard is to ensure that the patient has orientation to day
and night, weather, and general awareness of space outside the facility. The facility
should provide for a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment by
deemphasizing the institutional character of the setting, to the extent possible. Windows
are an important aspect in assuring the homelike environment of a facility. Therefore,
patient rooms must have one window to the outside as means of egress and to comply
with the building requirements for RNHCIs.
Survey Procedures:
• During the building tour or patient room observations, verify that patient rooms
have a window.
History
Rev. 239; Issued: 04-24-26; Effective: 04-24-26; Implementation: 04-24-26
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-07-22
- Edition
- som-2026-07-22
- Content hash
e784987db1d6ec1831151cf13b446518161850180d79061447b0f4f05d6d8dae
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