Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 39, March 25, 2024
Subpart 1.
Definition.
As used in this part, "health care facility" means a hospital,
nursing home, boarding care home, or supervised living facility licensed by the
Minnesota Department of Health under Minnesota Statutes, sections
144.50
to
144.56 or
144A.01 to
144A.16.
Subp. 2.
Written policy.
Every health care facility shall establish a written policy
specifying whether or not pet animals will be allowed on the facility's
premises. If pet animals are allowed on the premises, the policy must specify
whether or not individual patients or residents will be permitted to keep pets.
This policy must be developed only after consultation with facility staff and
with patients or residents, as appropriate.
Subp. 3.
Conditions.
If pet animals other than fish are allowed on the premises, the
following requirements must be met:
A.
Written policies and procedures must be developed and implemented which specify
the conditions for allowing pet animals on the premises.
B. The policies and procedures must:
(1) describe the types of pet animals allowed
on the facility's premises. This policy must be developed in consultation with
a veterinarian and a physician;
(2)
describe the procedures for maintaining and monitoring the health and behavior
of animals kept on the facility's premises. These procedures must be in
accordance with a veterinarian's recommendations. A copy of these
recommendations must be maintained in the facility; and
(3) identify those areas in the facility, in
addition to those areas described in item F, where pet animals shall not be
permitted.
C. Regardless
of the ownership of any pet, the health care facility shall assume overall
responsibility for any pets within or on the premises of the
facility.
D. The health care
facility shall ensure that no pet jeopardizes the health, safety, comfort,
treatment, or well-being of the patients, residents, or staff.
E. A facility employee shall be designated,
in writing, as being responsible for monitoring or providing the care to all
pet animals and for ensuring the cleanliness and maintenance of facilities used
to house pets. This rule does not preclude residents, patients, or other
individuals from providing care to pet animals.
F. Except for guide dogs accompanying a blind
or deaf individual and except in supervised living facilities with a licensed
bed capacity of 15 beds or less, pet animals shall not be permitted in kitchen
areas, in medication storage and administration areas, or in clean or sterile
supply storage areas.
