La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-6911

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-6911 - Child Supervision and Care

A. Daily Routine

1. Activities for each day shall be scheduled in advance. Each day should be a structured one with specified times for work, school recreation, meals and other activities.

2. The daily schedule shall include a time for sleep which shall be no less than eight hours. Sleep schedules shall not be planned for the convenience of staff but shall meet the needs of the children.

B. Personal Hygiene

1. Every child shall be required to maintain him/herself in a clean manner and the staff of the facility shall see that all necessary and desirable supplies are available to accomplish this.

2. Children shall be required to bathe or shower daily except for medical reasons, in which case they are to "sponge" bathe. Towels, washcloths, soap, and warm water shall be provided.

3. Shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, or brushes, and other personal hygiene products shall be available at all times and children shall be allowed access to these on a reasonable basis.

4. Clean underwear shall be made available daily. Clean and presentable outerwear shall be made available as needed but no less than every other day; every day is preferable.

5. Children shall be allowed to shave, under close supervision on an as-needed basis.

6. Hair shall not be cut against a child's wishes.

C. Medical and Other Services

1. A written plan to provide immediate medical and/or dental attention in case of illness or injury shall be developed and each staff member responsible for care of children shall be thoroughly familiar with it. The written plan shall include:

a. arrangements for the emergency evacuation of the residents from the facility;

b. arrangements for the use of an emergency medical vehicle;

c. arrangements for the use of one or more designated hospital emergency rooms or other appropriate health facilities;

d. arrangements for emergency on-call physician and dental services when the emergency health facility is not located in a nearby community;

e. arrangements for a report surrounding the circumstances of the emergency to be made by the staff member who was present and forwarded to the administrator who shall keep same as part of the child's record.

2. A physician licensed in the state shall be responsible for the facility's medical services pursuant to written agreement between the facility and a physician or qualified medical authority.

3. The physician shall have no restrictions imposed upon him or her by the facility administration regarding the practice of medicine.

4. Data concerning health history and vital signs shall be collected by medically trained or qualified medical personnel. Collection of all other health appraisal data shall be performed only by qualified medical personnel. Review of the results of the medical examination, tests, and identification of problems, shall be done by a physician or designated qualified medical personnel. All health appraisal data shall be recorded on the health data forms approved by the responsible physician.

5. Juveniles' medical complaints shall be monitored and responded to daily by medically trained personnel. Appropriate triage by qualified medical personnel shall follow.

6. Where sick call is not conducted by a physician, a physician shall be available at least weekly to respond to juveniles' complaints regarding service which they did or did not receive from other health personnel.

7. A medical examination by a physician or a medical assessment by a registered nurse should be provided for any child who remains in custody for longer than 72 hours.

8. In any case where there is reason to believe a detained female is pregnant, a physician shall be consulted as soon as possible and his directions followed.

9. All child care staff members shall be trained in first aid and lifesaving techniques to use in case of respiratory arrest, choking, epileptic seizures, injury or similar medical emergency. At least one such trained staff member shall be on duty at all times. Standard first aid supplies shall be kept available.

10. Staff members shall have training from the responsible physician and the official responsible for the facility and shall be accountable for administering prescribed medications on time and according to the physician's instructions. A record of the administration of medications issued shall be maintained in a manner and on a form approved by the responsible physician.

11. Children with contagious diseases should not be kept in detention unless there is no other alternative and shall not be allowed contact with other children while in the contagious stage.

12. In any case of serious injury or illness requiring the services of a physician, all reasonable efforts shall be made to notify the parents/ guardians and administrator.

13. Children experiencing difficulty because of emotional stress shall be given the same consideration for appropriate help as those suffering from physical problems and shall be afforded access to mental health counseling and crisis intervention in accordance with their needs.

14. Transportation shall be available for use in emergencies.

15. Written policy and procedure shall govern the transportation of juveniles outside the facility and from one jurisdiction to another.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-6911

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of the Secretary, Division of Licensing and Certification, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 46:51, 46:1401-1424.