Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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Pennsylvania Code



Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS


Sec.


5320.1.    Scope.
5320.2.    Policy.
5320.3.    Definitions.

§ 5320.1. Scope.

 This chapter establishes minimum standards for the operation of LTSRs for individuals with serious mental illness. See § §  5320.31 and 5320.32(1)(2) (relating to admission criteria; and admission authorization) for information pertaining to admission criteria and authorization. This chapter is applicable only to counties affected by the closure or consolidation of a State mental hospital, or where a county/State hospital integrated project has been approved by the Department or where operation of LTSRs are included in an approved county plan.

§ 5320.2. Policy.

 An LTSR is a highly structured therapeutic residential mental health treatment facility designed to serve persons 18 years of age or older who are eligible for hospitalization but who can receive adequate care in an LTSR. Admission is limited to individuals who require the services described in this chapter. Admission may occur voluntarily under section 201 of the act (50 P.S. §  7201) or involuntarily under section 304, 305 or 306 of the act (50 P.S. § §  7304—7306).

§ 5320.3. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Act—The Mental Health Procedures Act (50 P.S. § §  7101—7503).

   CPR—Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation.

   County administrator—The person appointed or designated to carry out the duties specified in section 305 of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act of 1966 (50 P.S. §  4305).

   Department—The Department of Human Services of the Commonwealth.

   Designated person—A person chosen by the resident and documented in the resident’s record to act, on behalf of the resident or be notified in case of emergency, termination of service, LTSR closure or other situations as indicated by the resident or as required by this chapter. The designated person could be the resident’s family, next-of-kin, legal or personal guardian, executor, appropriate other person or agency.

   Direct-care staff—A mental health professional or mental health worker employed by the LTSR provider either directly or under contract, who through education and experience is qualified to oversee or directly provide mental and social services to adults under this chapter. The term does not include support staff such as clerical, dietary, maintenance or fiscal personnel.

   Immobile resident—An individual who is unable to move from one location to another or has difficulty in understanding and carrying out instructions without the continual and full assistance of other persons, or is incapable of independently operating a device, such as a wheelchair, prosthesis, walker or cane to exit a building.

   LTSR—long-term structured residence—A highly structured therapeutic residential mental health treatment facility for adults.

   License—A certificate of compliance issued under Chapter 20 (relating to licensure or approval of facilities and agencies).

   Provider—The legal entity to which the license is issued.

   Referring entity—The individual or organization referring a person for admission to an LTSR. Referrals can come from self, family, friends, emergency rooms, other residential facilities, psychiatric hospitals, physicians, mental health centers, and the like.

   Support staff—A nonmental health professional or mental health worker employed by the LTSR provider either directly or under contract, who does not oversee or directly provide mental and social services to adults under this chapter. The term includes staff such as clerical, dietary, maintenance or fiscal personnel.

   Therapeutic environment—A treatment milieu designed to facilitate the acquisition of behaviors necessary for the resident to function with as much self-determination and independence as possible and to prevent or decelerate regression or loss of optimal functioning.



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