N.J. Admin. Code § 8:111-6.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 9, May 6, 2024

Section 8:111-6.1 - Client care policies and procedures

(a) Every residential substance use disorders treatment facility shall develop, establish and ensure the implementation and maintenance of client care policies and procedures consistent with the requirements of this chapter. At a minimum, the administrator, director of substance abuse counseling, director of nursing services, and the medical director or facility's physician shall provide direct input and review of all client care policies.

1. A facility shall establish a client care policy committee, which shall, at a minimum, be composed of the administrator, director of substance abuse counseling, director of nursing services, the medical director or the facility's physician and a client.

i. The facility shall provide written documentation to the governing authority of the mechanisms by which client care policies will be developed, managed and maintained by the facility.

ii. All client care policies related to medical services shall be reviewed and approved by the medical director, and shared with the facility's physician, pharmacist and director of nursing services.

2. Under the direction of the administrator and director of substance abuse counseling, the facility shall ensure that all client care policies and procedures are reviewed at least annually.

3. The facility shall review facility outcome data, available through NJSAMS and/or other means, and consider this data in its review of client care policies.

4. Client care policies shall include specific clinical and administrative guidance addressing incidents occurring or deficiencies found in the facility that impact the adequacy of policies and procedures affecting the health and safety of clients and/or staff. Any deficiencies or incidents shall prompt an immediate policy review, and any resulting policy revisions shall be shared with the agency's governing authority.

(b) The facility shall establish clear mechanisms that verify through written documentation that all client care policies were reviewed by the appropriate parties, including the date the policies were reviewed and the signature of each reviewer.

(c) The facility shall ensure that during client care policy committee meetings, items are discussed, actions are taken and documented in minutes, dated and disseminated to appropriate parties.

(d) When developing and reviewing policies and procedures regarding a specific service, the facility shall actively solicit input from facility staff representing that service.

(e) The facility shall ensure that policies and procedures are developed and implemented for the care of the general client population, and that the policies and procedures address the needs of any special populations that the facility may serve including, but not limited, to pregnant women, women with dependent children, adolescents, homeless and/or indigent, individuals with physical disabilities, individuals with communication limitations requiring communication services or persons with co-occurring mental health disorders.

(f) In addition to addressing specific client care policies and procedures, the facility shall address plans and policies for separate housing of adult and adolescent clients and male and female clients.

1. Adult and adolescent clients shall be physically separated by floor, wing or other physical barriers. Excluding hospital medical units, male and female sleeping quarters shall be physically separated by floor, wing or other adequate physical barriers, ensuring the clients' rights to privacy and dignity in treatment.

(g) All client care policies and procedures shall be sensitive to cultural, religious, ethnic, age and gender issues.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:111-6.1

Recodified from 10:161A-6.1 53 N.J.R. 2208(a), effective 12/20/2021