S.C. Code Regs. § ch. 61, 61-125, 61-125.900, 61-125.903

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Subsection 61-125.903 - Safety Precautions and Restraints. (I)

A. Periodic or continuous mechanical, physical or chemical restraints during routine care of a patient shall not be used, nor shall patients be restrained for staff convenience or as a substitute for care or services. However, in cases of extreme emergencies when a patient is posing an immediate danger to him or herself or others, mechanical and/or physical restraints may be initiated by staff of the facility to prevent harm to the patient, to other patients, or to staff, provided that use of mechanical and/or physical restraints must be ended as soon as the immediate threat of harm has ended, and in no case shall the use of restraints continue beyond one (1) hour unless ordered by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider. An order for use of restraints must provide that their use shall be discontinued as soon as the immediate threat of harm posed by the patient has ended or until appropriate medical care can be secured, but in no case shall an order be valid for more than eight (8) hours. Only those devices specifically designed as restraints may be used.

B. Emergency restraint orders shall specify the reason for the use of the restraint, the type of restraint to be used, the maximum time the restraint may be used, and instructions for observing the patient while restrained, if different from the facility's written procedures. Patients certified by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider as requiring restraint for more than eight (8) hours shall be transferred to an appropriate facility.

C. During emergency restraint, patients shall be monitored at least every fifteen (15) minutes, and provided with an opportunity for motion and exercise at least every thirty (30) minutes. Prescribed medications and treatments shall be administered as ordered, and patients shall be offered nourishment and fluids and given bathroom privileges.

D. The use of mechanical restraints shall be documented in the patient's record, and shall include the date and time implemented, the length of time restrained, observations while patient is restrained, and the requirements of Section 903.C above.

S.C. Code Regs. ch. 61, 61-125, 61-125.900, 61-125.903

Added by State Register Volume 43, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/24/2019.