California Code of Regulations
Title 22 - Social Security
Division 5 - Licensing and Certification of Health Facilities, Home Health Agencies, Clinics, and Referral Agencies
Chapter 3 - Skilled Nursing Facilities
Article 1 - Definitions
Section 72082 - Physical Restraint

For the purposes of informed consent, physical restraint means any physical or mechanical device or material attached or adjacent to a patient's body that the patient cannot remove easily, which has the effect of restricting the patient's freedom of movement. Physical restraint does not include the use of the least restrictive immobilization reasonably necessary to administer necessary treatment of a therapeutic, non-continuous nature, such as a single injection of antibiotics, and where the immobilization is removed upon the administration of such treatment. This exception shall not include immobilizations for continuously administered treatments such as intravenous therapy.

1. New section filed 5-27-92; operative 5-27-92 (Register 92, No. 22).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 208(a) and 1275, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 1276, Health and Safety Code.