Md. Code Regs. 10.21.12.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 10.21.12.02 - Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) Category I Restraint.

(a) "Category I restraint" means a device identified by the facility which limits a patient's mobility to the extent that the patient would not be able to independently reposition himself or herself or would otherwise be rendered helpless in an emergency.

(b) "Category I restraint" includes, but is not limited to, four-point restraints and safety suits.

(2) "Category II restraint" means any device which is not considered by the facility as a category I restraint and includes, but is not limited to, mittens and camisoles.

(3) "Chief executive officer (CEO)" means the individual responsible for the overall management of a facility.

(4) "Child" means an individual younger than 12 years old.

(5) "Clinical director" means the psychiatrist in charge of the clinical care of all psychiatric patients in the facility.

(6) "Emergency situation" means a situation in which a patient's behavior poses a serious and imminent danger to the physical safety of self or others.

(7) "Facility" means any public or private hospital, clinic, or other institution that provides or purports to provide treatment or other services for a mental disorder, except an acute general hospital that does not have a separately identified inpatient psychiatric service.

(8) "Full view" means the unobstructed view by the assigned staff of a restrained patient.

(9) "Patient" means an individual receiving services for a mental disorder in a facility and includes any student receiving care and treatment in that facility.

(10) "Physician" means an individual who is authorized to practice medicine under Health Occupations Article, Title 14, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(11) "Protective device" means any adaptive or assistive device or devices which restrict the movement of the whole or a portion of a patient's body for the purpose of preventing unintentional harm to self or others or which are used for promoting or maintaining normative body functions.

(12) "Quiet room" means an unlocked room that patients are not physically prevented from leaving, which is designated for patients' voluntary use to allow them time out of the company of other patients.

(13) "Registered nurse" means an individual who is licensed to practice registered nursing under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(14) Restraint.

(a) "Restraint" means a mechanical device or devices approved by the facility which restrict the movement of the whole or a portion of a patient's body for the purpose of preventing intentional harm to self or others and is grouped into two categories, category I and category II.

(b) "Restraint" does not include helmets when used as a sole form of restraint, chemotherapy, protective devices, or cold wet sheet packs used as a treatment procedure ordered by a physician.

(15) "Seclusion" means the involuntary confinement of a patient under the direction of a physician or registered nurse alone in a room which a patient is physically prevented from leaving.

(16) "Serious disruption to a therapeutic environment" means imminent danger of damage to the physical environment, or behavior of such a grave or protracted nature that significantly interferes with the emotional well-being of other patients or with their treatment.

(17) "Treatment team" means the patient's treatment team as defined in COMAR 10.21.03.02C.

Md. Code Regs. 10.21.12.02