Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Inspections Division
Chapter 71 - Subacute Mental Health Care Facilities
Rule 481-71.2 - Definitions
For the purpose of these rules, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated in this chapter. The definitions set out in Iowa Code section 135G.1 are adopted by reference in the rules.
"Administrator" means an individual who administers, manages, supervises, and is in general administrative charge of a subacute care facility, whether or not such individual has an ownership interest in the facility and whether or not the functions and duties are shared with one or more individuals.
"Assessment" means the evaluation of a person in psychiatric crisis in order to ascertain the person's current and previous level of functioning, psychiatric and medical history, potential for dangerousness, current psychiatric and medical condition factors contributing to the crisis and support systems that are available.
"Distinctpart" means a clearly identifiable area or section within a health care facility, consisting of at least a residential unit, wing, floor, or building containing contiguous rooms.
"Incident" means an unusual occurrence within a facility or on its premises affecting residents, visitors, or employees whether or not there is apparent injury or where hidden injury may have occurred.
"Medication" means any drug including over-the-counter substances ordered and administered under the direction of a physician, physician assistant or advanced registered nurse practitioner.
"Peer support" means services that are provided by individuals in recovery from serious mental illness and delivered to others who also have mental illness.
"Psychiatric care" means the provision of care to patients in a psychiatric unit of an acute care hospital; a freestanding psychiatric hospital; or a mental health clinic.
"Recovery" means a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
"Recovery principles" means the ten guiding
principles of recovery outlined by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (
"Responsibleparty" means the person who signs or cosigns the admission agreement required in rule 481-71.13 (135G) or the resident's guardian or conservator if one has been appointed. In the event that a resident does not have a guardian, conservator or other person signing the admission agreement, the term "responsible party" shall include the resident's sponsoring agency, e.g., the department of human services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a religious group, fraternal organization, or foundation that assumes responsibility and advocates for its client patients and pays for their health care.
"Restraint" means the application of physical force, use of a chemical agent, or a mechanical device for the purpose of restraining the free movement of an individual's body to protect the individual or others from immediate harm. Restraint does not include briefly holding without undue force an individual to calm or comfort the individual or holding an individual's hand to safely escort the individual from one area to another.
"Restricted means of egress" means an exit door alarm system for safety of the residents and the public.
"Seclusion" means the involuntary confinement of a resident alone in a room or an area from which the resident is physically prevented from leaving.
