Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 82 - DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Chapter 82-3
Subject 82-3-1 - ADULT CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS
Rule 82-3-1-.21 - Environment of Care
Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
Areas accessible by individuals shall meet the following requirements:
1. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall maintain an environment that is clean and is in good repair;
2. The environment of the CSU shall have natural light and exterior views;
3. The general architecture of the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs, along with tools and technology, shall provide for optimal line-of-sight observations from the nurses' station throughout the unit, mitigating hidden spots and blind corners;
4. The CSU shall be a locked facility;
5. Interior finishes, lighting, and furnishings of the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall conform to applicable fire and safety codes as classified for Health Care Occupancy/Limited Care Facilities in the current edition of National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Handbook, Chapter 18/19: New and Existing Health Care Occupancies;
6. Furnishings, hardware, fixtures, or protrusions of the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs must be:
7. The ceiling and the air distribution devices, lighting fixtures, sprinkler heads, and other appurtenances of the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be of the tamper-resistant type;
8. Doors of the CSU must meet the following requirements:
9. Light switches and electrical outlets of the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be secured with tamper-resistant type screws;
10. For CSUs and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs which are new facilities and who apply for licensure on or after (PUBLISH DATE OF NEW RULES), sprinkler heads shall be flush mounted on ceilings lower than nine (9) feet. Sprinklers shall have institutional heads that are recessed and drop down when activated;
11. Security and safety devices of the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be mounted, installed, secured in a manner which:
12. Upon request, the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall provide a means of locked storage for any individual's valuables or personal belongings;
13. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs must have policies/procedures to address identification, detection, handling, and storage of individuals' belonging that are determined to be potentially harmful;
14. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall maintain the environmental temperature between 65°F and 82°F (18°C to 27°C);
15. The interior of the CSU, and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be non- smoking. If the CSU offers smoking, the facility must designate a sheltered, outside space as a smoking area;
16. Lighting fixtures of the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be recessed and tamper-resistant with Lexan or other strong translucent materials;
17. Windows shall be protected with Lexan or other shatter-resistant material that will minimize breakage;
18. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be equipped and maintained so as to provide a sufficient amount of hot water for individuals' use;
19. Heated water provided for individuals' use must be maintained between 110°F and 120°F (43°C and 48°C);
20. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs must have policies/procedures to routinely check and document the hot water temperature at various outlets throughout the CSU and to correct any variance from the standard temperature if needed;
21. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have consistently available drinking water for individuals' access using mechanisms which meet general expectation of infection control procedures;
22. The pre-admission waiting area of the CSU, including restroom(s), must meet all safety requirements applicable to designated individual areas;
23. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have written policies and procedures for the provision of, or arrangement for, services for individuals with physical disabilities (including those with sensory impairments) in compliance with all federal rules and regulations;
24. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have facilities accessible to and usable by physically disabled individuals which meet the minimum requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. CSUs shall install required alterations or modifications in accordance with the 1984 Law of Georgia regarding Access to and Use of Public Facilities by Physically Handicapped Persons O.C.G.A. Sec. 30-3-1et seq;
25. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall maintain safety equipment to include an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and all other necessary medical safety supplies;
26. The CSU shall provide laundry facilities on the premises for the individual's personal laundry;
27. Entrances and exits, sidewalks, and escape routes of the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be constantly maintained free of all impediments and hazards;
28. The CSU shall have at least one (1) operable, non-pay telephone which is private and accessible at reasonable times for use by the individual; and
29. The CSU shall, at a minimum, have designated areas within its facility which meet the following requirements:
30. CSUs and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall meet rules specified in Rule 82-3-1-.21, Environment of Care or shall submit a Risk Mitigation Plan to the Department for approval addressing a particular citation and related protocols for safety management. This shall be submitted at the time of licensing review and annually thereafter.
O.C.G.A. Sec. 37-1-29.