Section 1584 Of Article 4. Standards And Inspection From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 3.3. >> Article 4.
1584
. (a) An adult day health care center that provides care for
adults with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias may install for
the safety and security of those persons secured perimeter fences or
egress control devices of the time-delay type on exit doors.
(b) As used in this section, "egress control device" means a
device that precludes the use of exits for a predetermined period of
time. These devices shall not delay any participant's departure from
the center for longer than 30 seconds. Center staff may attempt to
redirect a participant who attempts to leave the center.
(c) Adult day health care centers installing security devices
pursuant to this section shall meet all of the following
requirements:
(1) The center shall be subject to all fire and building codes,
regulations, and standards applicable to adult day health care
centers using egress control devices or secured perimeter fences and
shall receive a fire clearance from the fire authority having
jurisdiction for the egress control devices or secured perimeter
fences.
(2) The center shall maintain documentation of diagnosis by a
physician of a participant's Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.
(3) The center shall provide staff training regarding the use and
operation of the egress control devices utilized by the center, the
protection of participants' personal rights, wandering behavior and
acceptable methods of redirection, and emergency evacuation
procedures for persons with dementia.
(4) All admissions to the center shall continue to be voluntary on
the part of the participant or with consent of the participant's
conservator, an agent of the participant under a power of attorney
for health care, or other person who has the authority to act on
behalf of the participant. Persons who have the authority to act on
behalf of the participant include the participant's spouse or closest
available relative.
(5) The center shall inform all participants, conservators,
agents, and persons who have the authority to act on behalf of
participants of the use of security devices. The center shall
maintain a signed participation agreement indicating the use of the
devices and the consent of the participant, conservator, agent, or
person who has the authority to act on behalf of the participant. The
center shall retain the original statement in the participant's
files at the center.
(6) The use of egress control devices or secured perimeter fences
shall not substitute for adequate staff. Staffing ratios shall at all
times meet the requirements of applicable regulations.
(7) Emergency fire and earthquake drills shall be conducted at
least once every three months, or more frequently as required by a
county or city fire department or local fire prevention district. The
drills shall include all center staff and volunteers providing
participant care and supervision. This requirement does not preclude
drills with participants as required by regulations.
(8) The center shall develop a plan of operation approved by the
department that includes a description of how the center is to be
equipped with egress control devices or secured perimeter fences that
are consistent with regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal
pursuant to Section 13143. The plan shall include, but not be limited
to, the following:
(A) A description of how the center will provide training for
staff regarding the use and operation of the egress control device
utilized by the center.
(B) A description of how the center will ensure the protection of
the participant's personal rights consistent with applicable
regulations.
(C) A description of the center's emergency evacuation procedures
for persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
(d) This section does not require an adult day health care center
to use security devices in providing care for persons with Alzheimer'
s disease and other dementias.