Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 54 Pa.B. 6234 (September 28, 2024).

55 Pa. Code § 6000.923. Incidents to be reported within 72 hours.

§ 6000.923. Incidents to be reported within 72 hours.

 (a)  The following are categories of incidents to be reported within 72 hours after the occurrence of the incident:

   (1)  Medication error. Any nonconforming practice with the ‘‘Rights of Medication Administration’’ as described in the OMR Medication Administration Training Course. This includes omission, wrong dose, wrong time, wrong person, wrong medication, wrong route, wrong position, wrong technique/method and wrong form. Over the counter medication is excluded. Treatment procedures (for example, skin creams, shampoo, eye drops, and the like) that do not contain a prescription medication are excluded. A medication error occurring during a home visit, when the family is responsible for the administration, is not reportable. An individual’s refusal to take medication is not reportable. See Appendix H (relating to abbreviated incident report, medication error).

   (2)  Restraints. Any physical, chemical or mechanical intervention used to control acute, episodic behavior that restricts the movement or function of the individual or portion of the individual’s body, including those that are approved as part of an individual support plan or those used on an emergency basis. Improper or unauthorized use of restraint is considered abuse and is to be reported under the abuse category. See Appendix I (relating to abbreviated incident report, restraint).

     (i)   Physical. A physical or manual restraint is a physical hands-on technique that lasts 30 seconds or more, used to control acute, episodic behavior that restricts the movement or function of an individual or portion of an individual’s body such as a basket hold and prone or supine containment.

     (ii)   Mechanical. A mechanical restraint is a device used to control acute, episodic behavior that restricts the movement or function of an individual or portion of an individual’s body. Examples of mechanical restraints include anklets, wristlets, camisoles, helmets with fasteners, muffs and mitts with fasteners, poseys, waist straps, head straps, restraining sheets and similar devices. A device used to provide support for functional body position or proper balance and a device used for medical treatment, such as a wheelchair belt or helmet for prevention of injury during seizure activity, are not considered mechanical restraints.

     (iii)   Chemical. A chemical restraint is a drug used to control acute, episodic behavior that restricts the movement or function of an individual. A drug ordered by a licensed practitioner as part of an on-going treatment program or pretreatment prior to medical or dental examination or treatment is not a chemical restraint. Medications prescribed on a Pro Re Nata (PRN) basis for the treatment of episodically occurring and well-defined symptoms of an underlying disorder (such as an anxiety disorder, auditory hallucinations, and the like) and not simply for behavior control, are not considered chemical restraints. For further clarification see Mental Retardation Bulletin 00-02-09, issued July 11, 2002, titled Pro Re Nata Medication Usage for Psychiatric Treatment—Clarification of Interpretation.



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