R9-10-235. Administrative Separation

A. In addition to the definitions in A.R.S. § 36-401, R9-10-101, and R9-10-201, the following definition applies in this Section: “Administrative separation” means the temporary isolation of a patient for the purpose of preserving the integrity of evidence during the course of a criminal investigation or for a situation where not isolating the patient presents a risk of serious harm to other individuals or a serious risk to the safety or security of a hospital. B. Only a hospital established according to A.R.S. § 36-202 may use administrative separation. C. An administrator appointed according to A.R.S. § 36-205 shall ensure that: 1. Administrative separation: a. Is only used for a patient admitted to the hospital pursuant to a criminal court order; and b. Is not used: i. In conjunction with a restraint, ii. As a method to manage behaviors, or iii. If prohibited by law; and 2. Policies and procedures are established, documented, and implemented for administrative separation that: a. Include the process and criteria for requesting an administrative separation; b. Include the process and deadlines for approving a request for an administrative separation; c. Cover patient notification of the right to appeal the administrative separation and to file a complaint; d. Include the process for providing a patient access to: i. Incoming mail, and ii. An advocate or legal representative; e. Include the process for providing treatment to a patient while in administrative separation; f. Include the process for establishing investigative goals; and g. Include the process for determining when administrative separation will no longer be used for a patient.