New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 8 - HEALTH
Chapter 40 - MOBILITY ASSISTANCE VEHICLE AND BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AMBULANCE SERVICES
Subchapter 4 - GENERAL CREWMEMBER, EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
Section 8:40-4.10 - Physical behavioral restraints

Universal Citation: NJ Admin Code 8:40-4.10

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024

(a) Patients shall not be placed and/or transported in physical behavioral restraints unless:

1. A physician or court has authorized the placement of the restraints;

2. The patient is in the custody of a law enforcement officer; or

3. The medical condition of the patient mandates transportation to, and treatment at, a health care facility, and the patient manifests such a degree of behavior that he or she:
i. Poses serious physical danger to himself or herself or to others; or

ii. Causes serious disruption to ongoing medical treatment that is necessary to sustain his or her life or to prevent disability.

(b) A patient placed in physical behavioral restraints shall not remain restrained for a period greater than one hour unless:

1. A physician or court has authorized the utilization of the restraints for longer than one hour; or

2. The patient is personally accompanied by a law enforcement officer.

(c) Physical behavioral restraints shall not be of a type, or utilized in a manner, that causes undue physical discomfort, harm or pain to a patient. Hard restraints, such as handcuffs, are specifically prohibited unless the law enforcement officer who applied the hard restraints or handcuffs personally accompanies the patient. A patient placed in any type of restraint shall be closely monitored to ensure that his or her airway is not compromised in any way. In no circumstance shall a patient be placed prone (that is, face-down) on a stretcher while in restraints.

(d) The rationale for placing and/or transporting a patient in physical behavioral restraints, and the type of restraints utilized, shall be clearly stated in the patient care report.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Jersey may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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