Section 250.2280  Care of Patients

a)         The Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code shall apply to the care of patients.

b)         Accommodations for Patients

1)         Each psychiatric unit shall have available recreational and occupational therapy and other appropriate facilities adequate in size in relation to patient population, number of beds and program.

2)         Section 250.1040(f) regarding beds and bedding and Section 250.1040(i) regarding signals do not apply if clinically contraindicated to bed accommodations in psychiatric units of general hospitals and psychiatric specialty hospitals.

c)         Restraints and Seclusion

Restraints and seclusion facilities shall be available and written policies, in accordance with Section 250.2280(c), shall be established for their use.  Mechanical restraints or seclusion shall be used only in accordance with Section 6.20 of the Act and Section 250.1075 of this Part and on the written order of a physician.  This written order shall be valid for specific periods of time.  In an emergency, the person in charge may order restraints.  Confirmation of the order by a physician shall be secured.  The written policies and procedures regarding use of restraints and seclusion shall be reviewed annually.  A log showing patient identification, justification for restraint, time applied and released and other pertinent information shall be maintained.  (Sections 2-108 and 2-109 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code.)

d)         Policies and Procedures

A policy and procedure manual shall be maintained for the psychiatric services.  The manual shall include the following:

1)         Policies and procedures for the care and treatment of patients with a psychiatric or substance use disorder, including specific procedures for the care of suicidal and assaultive patients;

2)         Policies and procedures for the assessment of patients for sexual safety (i.e., the identification of vulnerable patients and patients with the potential to display sexual behavior that places other patients at risk).  The policies and procedures shall be applicable to the age of the patient population served in the clinical unit and include measures to assess the risk of sexual harassment, abuse or assault, the management and oversight of the physical environment, requirements for internal reporting, investigation of allegations and incidents, and notification of law enforcement;

3)         Policies and procedures describing the relationships between the hospital and State agencies and community organizations providing psychiatric services;

4)         Policies and procedures relating to the evaluation and disposition of psychiatric emergencies; and

5)         When ligature risks are identified, a plan and timetable for remediation, with corresponding policies to minimize risks for patients.

e)         Physical Facilities

1)         Requirements contained in Subpart T regarding general hospitals shall apply to psychiatric specialty hospitals unless otherwise noted.

2)         The following additional requirements for psychiatric units in general hospitals and psychiatric specialty hospitals shall be provided for patient care units:

A)        Adequate office space for psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and other professional staff;

B)        A conference room, day room and dining room.  These rooms may be set up as multipurpose rooms;

C)        A patients' laundry room;

D)        A specific room for use of seclusion or restraints; and

E)        A space for private visitation.

3)         The design of facilities and the selection of equipment and furnishings shall be conducive to the psychiatric program being carried out and shall minimize hazards to psychiatric patients, including but not limited to anti-ligature precautions (e.g., door hinges, doorknobs, faucets, window coverings, etc.).

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 8128, effective May 26, 2026)