La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-9621

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

Section I-9621 - Physical Environment

A. A Level I CRC-SU shall be located in an exterior area of the hospital which is easily accessible to patients seeking CRC-SU services. Patients shall not be required to go through other areas of the hospital to get to a Level I CRC-SU. The CRC-SU may share an entrance with an emergency department.

1. A Level I CRC-SU may also be located in a licensed offsite location of the hospital.

B. The CRC-SU shall give special design considerations to prevent injury and suicide in all patient care areas.

C. The layout, design details, equipment, and furnishings shall be such that patients shall be under continuous visual observation at all times and shall not be afforded opportunities for hiding, escape or injury to themselves or others.

D. Interior finishes, lighting, and furnishings shall conform to applicable fire safety codes. Security and safety devices shall not be presented in a manner to attract or challenge tampering by patients.

E. Grab bars, if provided, shall meet the following specifications:

1. of an institutional type;

2. shall not rotate within their fittings;

3. shall be securely fastened with tamper-proof screw heads;

4. shall be free of any sharp or abrasive elements; and

5. if mounted adjacent to a wall, the space between the wall and the grab bar shall be filled completely to prevent a cord or string being tied around the grab bar and used for hanging.

F. Towel racks, closet and shower curtain rods are not permitted.

G. Plastic bags and trash can liners shall not be used in patient care areas.

H. Electrical receptacles shall be of the safety type or protected by 5 milli ampere ground-fault-interrupters.

I. A Level I CRC-SU shall have at least two rooms that afford privacy for the triage/screening and/or assessment of individuals presenting to the unit. Rooms for triage/screening, and/or assessment shall have:

1. a minimum area of 120 square feet and shall be located within the CRC-SU unit; and

2. doors to these rooms shall swing outward or be double hinged.

J. A Level I CRC-SU shall have at least one designated area for the holding and monitoring of patients who are in the process of being triaged/screened, assessed and awaiting referral.

K. A Level I CRC-SU shall have at least one seclusion room. The seclusion room shall be intended for the short-term occupancy by violent or suicidal patients and provide an area for patients requiring security and protection. The seclusion room shall:

1. enable direct staff supervision of the patient by direct visualization or through the use of electronic monitoring;

a. if electronic monitoring equipment is used, it shall be connected to the hospitals' emergency electrical source;

2. be designated for single occupancy and contain at least 80 square feet;

3. be constructed to prevent patient hiding, escape, injury or suicide;

4. contain a restraint bed;

5. have a minimum ceiling height of 9 feet;

6. have ceiling construction that is monolithic or tamper proof;

7. be located in close proximity to a toilet room;

8. not contain protruding edges or corners;

9. have doors that:

a. are 3 feet, 8 inches wide;

b. swing out; and

c. permit staff observation of the patient while also maintaining provisions for patient privacy; and

10. not have electrical switches and receptacles.

L. There shall be a locked storage area to secure a patient's personal items and to secure contraband.

1. The CRC-SU shall have policies and procedures for the handling of such items.

2. The locked storage area shall be accessible only to authorized personnel.

M. The CRC-SU shall have a minimum of two single-use toilet rooms accessible to patients and at least one toilet room for CRC-SU staff.

1. All toilet rooms shall contain a toilet and a lavatory.

2. All plumbing and piping connections to fixtures shall be enclosed and not accessible to tampering by patients.

3. The doors on the bathroom/toilet rooms shall swing out or be double hinged.

4. If mirrors are located in the toilet rooms, they shall be fabricated with laminated safety glass or protected by polycarbonate laminate or safety screens.

5. Bathroom/toilet room hardware and accessories shall be of special design to give consideration to the prevention of injury and suicide.

N. The CRC-SU shall have at least one single-use shower facility for the use of patients within the confines of the CRC-SU.

1. Shower sprinkler heads shall be recessed or of a design to minimize patient tampering.

O. All windows in the CRC-SU shall be fabricated with laminated safety glass or protected by polycarbonate laminate or safety screens.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-9621

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 36:516 (March 2010), Amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 45556 (4/1/2019).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2100-2115.