Participant Comfort, Safety, Accommodations, and Equipment
Effective Sep 29, 2023Mass. Register #1505MGL c. 111, § 3 St. 2011, c. 87 as amended by St. 2012, c. 239, § 21Department of Public Health
(A) Participant Comfort and Accommodations.
- (1) A Program shall provide for the comfort, safety, and mental and physical well-being of participants.
- (2) Program personnel shall be familiar with each participant's plan of care and need for assistance with ADL and supervision.
- (3) Program personnel shall treat participants' personal effects with respect and care.
- (4) A Program shall reasonably accommodate participant needs and preferences, except when the health or safety of the participant or other participants would be endangered.
- (5) All participant areas shall be arranged and decorated to provide for a cheerful and homelike milieu which is pleasant, clean, well-kept, in good repair, and free from unpleasant odors, sights, and sounds.
(B) Participant Safety and Protection.
(1) At all times a professional or qualified staff member shall be on duty and immediately accessible to participants for the following purposes:
- (a) Responding to reports of injuries, symptoms of illness, emergencies, and any other discomfort or complaint of a participant; and
- (b) Ensuring that prompt, appropriate action is taken in response to reports of injuries, symptoms of illness, emergencies, and any other discomfort or complaint of a participant.
(2) Restraints.
- (a) Chemical or physical restraints may only be imposed to ensure the immediate physical safety of the participant, personnel, or others and must be discontinued at the earliest possible time.
- (b) Chemical or physical restraints shall be used only in accordance with a primary care provider's order, and the type of restraint shall be specified by the primary care provider.
- (3) A Program may not apply any aversive intervention to any participant.
- (4) A Program shall maintain a check-in and check-out system that records participant names, dates, times of arrival and departure, and destination.
(C) Equipment and Supplies.
- (1) A Program shall provide all equipment and supplies necessary for the comfort and care of participants.
- (2) A Program shall maintain equipment and supplies in good working condition and in a clean and sanitary manner.
- (3) A Program shall establish and enforce a preventive maintenance program to ensure all equipment is in safe working order.
- (4) A Program shall perform regular maintenance checks, in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, on all mechanical and electronic medical equipment to ensure that it is properly functioning, grounded, and calibrated.
- (5) A Program shall follow manufacturer's instructions to sterilize, disinfect, or dispose of equipment and supplies.
- (6) All equipment used for personal care shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each use.
- (7) Disposable single use items shall not be reused.
(8) A Program shall maintain the following basic equipment and supplies:
- (a) One bed, cot, or recliner for every 20 participants;
- (b) A supply of clean dry linens as needed to service participants;
- (c) A sufficient number of tables and chairs including easy chairs or comfortable padded or upholstered straight back chairs with arms, suited to individual participant needs;
- (d) Readily accessible storage space for participants' personal belongings;
- (e) Washable portable screens, if needed, to ensure participant privacy during treat- ments; and
(f) Medical equipment and supplies, including but not limited to:
- 1. A stethoscope;
- 2. A scale;
- 3. A blood-pressure apparatus;
- 4. Foot basins;
- 5. Thermometers; and
- 6. An emergency first-aid kit that is visible and accessible to personnel.