SB1497 - NURSING HOMES-RESIDENT CONSENT

9 Co-Sponsors

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that devices used for positioning, including, but not limited to, bed rails and gait belts, shall not be considered to be physical restraints for purposes of the Act unless the device is used to restrain or otherwise limit the patient's freedom to move. Provides that a device used for positioning must be requested by the resident, the resident's guardian, or the resident's authorized representative, or the need for that device must be physically demonstrated by the resident and documented in the resident's care plan. Specifies that the physically demonstrated need of the resident for a device used for positioning must be revisited in every comprehensive assessment of the resident. Provides that psychotropic medication shall only be given in both emergency and nonemergency situations if the diagnosis of the resident supports the benefit of the medication and clinical documentation in the resident's medical record supports the benefit of the medication over the contraindications related to other prescribed medications. Removes a provision requiring a resident's medical emergencies to be documented.