Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 48 - PUBLIC HEALTH-GENERAL
Part I - General Administration
Subpart 1 - General
Chapter 13 - DHH Policy on Reporting Alleged Abuse, Neglect, Mistreatment and Deaths of Gary W. Class Members
Section I-1399 - Appendices
Appendix I-B - Procedures Governing Use of Physical Restraints
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
Procedures Governing Use of Physical Restraints
Physical restraints shall be employed only when absolutely necessary to protect the class member from injury to himself or to prevent injury to others. Restraints shall not be employed as punishment, for the convenience of staff, or as a substitute for a treatment program. A class member shall be restrained only if alternative techniques have failed and only if such restraint imposes the least possible restriction consistent with its purpose; and then only in accordance with the following standards:
1. An order for restraint shall be in writing and shall not be in force for longer than 12 hours.
2. Except in an emergency situation, only qualified professionals may authorize the use of restraints.
3. A class member placed in restraint shall be checked at least every 30 minutes by staff trained in the use of restraints, and a record of such checks shall be made.
4. Mechanical restraints shall be designed and used so as not to cause physical injury to the class member and so as to cause the least possible discomfort.
5. Opportunity for motion and exercise shall be provided for a period of not less than ten minutes during each two hours in which restraint is employed.
6. Daily reports shall be made to the facility administrator by those qualified professionals ordering the use of restraints, summarizing all such use of restraint, the types used, the duration, and the reasons therefor.
7. Emergency use of restraints shall be authorized only by the facility administrator, shall be limited to a period of not more than one hour, and shall conform to all of the provisions set forth in subparagraphs 3 - 5 of this Appendix.
