Pennsylvania Code
Title 55 - HUMAN SERVICES
Part I - Department of Human Services
Subpart B - Rights
Chapter 13 - USE OF RESTRAINTS IN TREATING PATIENTS/RESIDENTS
Section 13.7 - Chemical restraints
Universal Citation: 55 PA Code ยง 13.7
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 12, March 23, 2024
(a) Definition. Chemical restraint shall mean the use of drugs or chemicals for the specific and exclusive purpose of controlling acute or episodic aggressive behavior by a patient/resident. Drugs administered on a regular basis, as part of the treatment plan and for the purposes of treating the symptoms of mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and for assisting the patient/resident in gaining self control over his impulses, are not to be considered chemical restraints.
(b) Procedures.
(1) No chemical
restraints may be administered except upon the order of the
physician.
(2) A telephone order
may be accepted for medication intended for use as a chemical restraint in an
emergency situation only. A physician shall examine the patient/resident within
1 hour of the telephone order with due attention being paid to prior mental and
physical status and his history. Until a physician arrives, appropriate staff
shall monitor the patient's/resident's physical well being.
(3) In a nonemergency situation, a physician
shall examine the patient/resident prior to ordering medication as a chemical
restraint with due attention being paid to the patient's/resident's prior
mental and physical status and his history before drugs are administered.
Medication shall be administered at intervals and dosages whereby adequate
attention can be rendered to the patient's/resident's mental, physical and
motor responses and vital signs.
(4) Once the level of medication appropriate
to the circumstances has been determined, the patient's/resident's vital signs
must be monitored at appropriate intervals, and the patient/resident followed
and seen by a physician at periods appropriate to the circumstances, but at
least every 12 hours. For mental health facilities monitoring of vital signs
shall be conducted at least once in every 30 minute period.
(5) Proper documentation relating to the
effect of the medication shall be recorded by appropriate personnel.
(6) The Superintendent/Director or his
designee is responsible for monitoring all medications administered to a
patient/resident for the purpose of chemical restraint.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania 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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