Each facility must have written policies and procedures for all restraint use, including emergency restraints, bedrails, and locked doors. The use of restraints must be based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient's physical and cognitive abilities, evaluation and effectiveness of less restrictive alternatives, and an involvement of the patient in weighing the benefits and consequences. Restraint use requires a physician's, physician assistant's, or nurse practitioner's order specifying time frames and types of restraints. Continued use of the restraint and reorders may be given only by a physician's, physician assistant's, or nurse practitioner's order and a review of the patient condition by the interdisciplinary team. Restraints must be physically checked as ordered and documented by nursing personnel. Restraints may not be used to limit mobility, for convenience of staff, for punishment, or as a substitute for supervision. Restraints may not hinder evacuation of the patient during fire or cause injury to the patient.

Source: 42 SDR 51, effective October 13, 2015 ; 50 SDR 62, effective November 27, 2023 .

General Authority: SDCL 34-12-13 (14).

Law Implemented: SDCL 34-12-13 .

Prior versions effective: 2015-10-13.