Purpose

(1) Isolation, mechanical restraint, or physical holding restraint may be used only in an emergency safety situation to assure the physical safety of the service recipient or others nearby or to prevent significant destruction of property, if the process of destroying the property puts the service recipient or persons nearby in danger. Isolation, mechanical restraint, or physical holding restraint may be used only when all less intrusive or restrictive methods have been ineffective or determined to be inappropriate. Isolation, mechanical restraint, or physical holding restraint must be performed in a manner that is safe, proportionate, and appropriate to the service recipient’s age; size; gender; physical, medical, and psychiatric condition; and personal history. Isolation, mechanical restraint, or physical holding restraint must be evaluated continuously and ended at the earliest possible time based on the assessment and evaluation of the service recipient’s condition and behaviors. Isolation, mechanical restraint, or physical holding restraint must not be imposed in any form as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience of or retaliation by staff or for lack of staff presence or competency.