PDFWAC 246-341-1060

General requirements for mental health and substance use disorder inpatient and residential services providing services under chapter 71.05 or 71.34 RCW.

This section applies to agencies providing secure withdrawal management, evaluation and treatment, involuntary crisis stabilization unit, and involuntary triage services.
(1) An agency providing services under chapter 71.05 or 71.34 RCW must:
(a) Follow the applicable statutory requirements in chapter 71.05 or 71.34 RCW;
(b) Ensure that services are provided in a secure environment. "Secure" means having:
(i) All doors and windows leading to the outside locked at all times;
(ii) Visual monitoring, in a method appropriate to the individual;
(iii) A space to separate persons who are violent or may become violent from others when necessary to maintain safety of the individual and others;
(iv) The means to contact law enforcement immediately in the event of an elopement from the facility; and
(v) Adequate numbers of staff present at all times that are trained in facility security measures;
(c) Provide services, including admissions, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day;
(d) Ensure that a mental health professional, substance use disorder professional, if appropriate, and physician, physician assistant, or psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for consultation and communication with the staff that provide direct care of individuals;
(e) Ensure at least daily contact between each involuntary individual and a mental health professional, substance use disorder professional, or person with a co-occurring disorder specialist enhancement as appropriate, for the purpose of evaluation as to:
(i) The need for further treatment;
(ii) Whether there is a change in involuntary status; or
(iii) Possible discharge;
(f) For an individual who has been delivered to the facility by a peace officer for evaluation the clinical record must contain:
(i) A statement of the circumstances under which the individual was brought to the unit;
(ii) The admission date and time;
(iii) Determination of whether to refer to a designated crisis responder (DCR) to initiate civil commitment proceedings;
(iv) If evaluated by a DCR, documentation that the evaluation was performed within the required time period, the results of the evaluation, and the disposition of the person.
(2) Upon discharge of the individual the agency shall provide notification to the DCR office responsible for the initial commitment, which may be a federally recognized Indian tribe or other Indian health care provider if the DCR is appointed by the health care authority, and the DCR office that serves the county in which the individual is expected to reside.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 71.24.037, 71.05.560, 71.34.380, 18.205.160, 71.24.037 and chapters 71.05, 71.24, and 71.34 RCW. WSR 21-12-042, § 246-341-1060, filed 5/25/21, effective 7/1/21.]