Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024
A. The layout and design of a psychiatric
hospital or psychiatric unit shall be in accordance with the 2014 Edition of
the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI), Guidelines for Design and Construction
of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities, as adopted by the OSFM, for building
design and construction. In addition to the FGI Guidelines, details, equipment,
and furnishings shall be such that patients shall be under close observation
and shall not be afforded opportunities for hiding, escape, or injury to
themselves or others. The environment of the unit shall be characterized by a
feeling of openness with emphasis on natural light and exterior views. Interior
finishes, lighting, and furnishings shall suggest a residential rather than an
institutional setting while conforming to applicable fire safety codes.
Security and safety devices shall not be presented in a manner to attract or
challenge tampering by patients.
B. The psychiatric hospital or unit shall
develop and implement strategy to identify environmental safety risks within
its specific environment and specific to its patient population. The operation
of windows shall be restricted to inhibit possible escape or suicide. Where
windows or vents require the use of tools or keys for operation, the tools or
keys shall be either located on the same floor in a prominent location
accessible to staff or carried by every staff member. There shall be no curtain
or venetian blind cords.
C. Plastic
bags and/or trash can lines shall not be used in patient care areas.
D. Patient Rooms
1. An electric nurses' call system is not
required however, the hospital shall have policies and procedures for how
patients call for assistance.
2.
Bedpan-flushing devices may be omitted from patient room toilets in psychiatric
nursing units.
3. Visual privacy
(e.g., cubicle curtains) in multi-bed rooms is not required.
4. Free standing closets shall be secured to
the wall.
5. Electric patient beds
are not to be used. The secretary of the department may, within his/her sole
discretion, grant a waiver of this provision in accordance with
section
9305
E. Service Areas
1. A secured storage area controlled by staff
shall be provided for patients' belongings that are determined to be
potentially harmful (e.g., razors, nail files, cigarette lighters).
2. Drugs and biologicals shall be stored in
locked compartments under proper temperature controls, and only authorized
personnel shall have access to the keys.
3. Food service may be one or a combination
of the following:
a. a nourishment
station;
b. a kitchenette designed
for patient use with staff control of heating and cooking devices;
and
c. a kitchen service including a
hand washing fixture, storage space, refrigerator, and facilities for meal
preparation.
4. Storage
space for stretchers and wheelchairs may be outside the psychiatric unit,
provided that provisions are made for convenient access as needed for
handicapped patients.
F.
Seclusion Treatment Room
1. There shall be at
least one seclusion room for up to 24 beds or a major fraction thereof. It is
intended for short-term occupancy by violent or suicidal patients and provides
for patients requiring security and protection. The room(s) shall be either
located for direct nursing staff supervision or observed through the use of
electronic monitoring equipment.
2.
If electronic monitoring equipment is used, it shall be connected to the
hospital's emergency electrical source. It shall be constructed to prevent
patient hiding, escape, injury, or suicide.
3. If a facility has more than one
psychiatric unit, located at the same geographic address, the number of
seclusion rooms shall be determined by the total number of psychiatric beds at
that location. However, if there are psychiatric units located at multiple and
different geographic addresses, there shall be a seclusion room that meets
these requirements at each off-site campus that offers inpatient psychiatric
services.
4. Special fixtures and
hardware for electrical circuits shall be used.
5. Seclusion rooms shall be accessed by an
anteroom or vestibule that also provides direct access to a toilet
room.
G. Ceiling
construction in psychiatric patient rooms and seclusion room(s) shall be
monolithic or tamper proof.
AUTHORITY
NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.36:254 and
R.S.
40:2100-2115.
