Section 441.115.7. Control room.

       115.7(1) Purpose. The control room shall be used for treatment purposes only. A facility shall be approved by the licensing authority as meeting the requirements of this chapter regarding control rooms before control rooms can be utilized.

       115.7(2) Written policies. When a residential treatment facility uses a control room as part of its treatment program, the facility shall have written policies regarding its use. The policy shall:

        a.           Specify the types of behavior which may result in control room placement.

        b.           Delineate the staff members who may authorize its use as well as procedures for notification of supervisory personnel.

        c.           Require documentation in writing of the types of behaviors leading to control room placement and the conditions that will allow the child to return to the living unit. The child shall be informed of these conditions.

        d.           Limit the utilization of the control room to one of the following two circumstances:

       (1)             The child’s care plan includes and explains how this use of the control room fits into the treatment plan for the child.

       (2)             A one time placement in an emergency without a care plan outlining the rationale for its use. This treatment shall be included in the care plan for a second placement of a child in the control room.

       115.7(3) Physical requirements. The control room shall be designed to ensure a physically safe environment with:

        a.           All switches controlling lights and ventilation outside the room.

        b.           Allowance for observation of the child at all times.

        c.           Protected recessed ceiling light.

        d.           No electrical outlets in the room.

        e.           Proper heating, cooling, and ventilation.

        f.            Any window secured and protected in a manner to prevent harm to the child.

        g.           A minimum of 54 square feet in floor space with at least a 7-foot ceiling.

       115.7(4) Use of control room. The control room shall be used only when a less restrictive alternative to quiet or allow the child to gain control has failed and when it is in the care plan. The following policies shall apply to the use of the control room:

        a.           No more than one child shall be in a control room at any time.

        b.           There shall be provisions for visual observation of the child at all times, regardless of the child’s position in the room.

        c.           The control room shall be checked thoroughly for safety and the absence of contraband prior to placing the child in the room.

        d.           The child shall be thoroughly checked before placement in the control room and all potentially injurious objects removed including shoes, belts, and pocket items. The staff member placing the child in the control room shall document each check.

        e.           In no case shall all clothing or underwear be removed and the child shall be provided sufficient clothing to meet seasonal needs.

        f.            A staff member shall always be within hearing distance of the control room, the child shall be visually checked by the staff at least every 15 minutes, and each check shall be recorded.

        g.           The child shall remain in the control room longer than one hour only with consultation and approval from the supervisor. Documentation in the child’s case record shall include the time in the control room, the reasons for the control, and the reasons for the extension of time. Use of the control room for a total of more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period shall occur only after authorization of the psychiatrist or upon court order. In no case shall a child be in a control room for a period longer than 24 hours.

        h.           The child’s parents or guardian and the referring worker shall be aware of the control room as a part of the treatment program.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.4.