Iowa Admin. Code r. 641-155.21 - General standards for all programs

The following standards shall apply to all programs. For programs for which both the general standards and specific standards apply, both sets of standards shall be met.

(1) Governing body. The program shall have a formally designated governing body that complies with Iowa Code chapter 504 and that is the ultimate authority for program operations.

a. The governing body shall develop and adopt written bylaws and policies that define the powers and duties of the governing body, its committees, its advisory groups, and the executive director. These bylaws and policies shall be reviewed and revised by the governing body as necessary.

b. The bylaws shall minimally specify the following:

(1) The type of membership;

(2) The term of appointment;

(3) The frequency of meetings;

(4) The attendance requirements; and

(5) The quorum necessary to transact business.

c. The governing body shall maintain minutes of all meetings, and the minutes shall be available for review by the department and shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:

(1) Date of the meeting;

(2) Names of members attending;

(3) Topics discussed; and

(4) Decisions reached and actions taken.

d. The duties of the governing body shall include, but may not be limited to:

(1) Appointment of a qualified executive director, who shall have the responsibility and authority for the management of the program in accordance with the governing body's established policies;

(2) Establishment of effective controls to ensure that quality services are provided;

(3) Review and approval of the program's annual budget; and

(4) Approval of all contracts.

e. The governing body shall approve policies and procedures for the effective operation of the program.

f. The governing body shall be responsible for all funds, equipment, and supplies and the facility in which the program operates. The governing body shall be responsible for the appropriateness and adequacy of services provided by the program.

g. The governing body shall at least annually prepare a report, which shall include, but may not be limited to:

(1) The name, address, occupation, and place of employment of each governing body member;

(2) Disclosure of any family relationship a member of the governing body has with a program staff member;

(3) The names and addresses of any owners or controlling parties whether they are individuals, partnerships, a corporation body, or a subdivision of other bodies;

(4) Disclosure of any potential conflict of interest a member of the governing body may have.

h. The governing body shall ensure that the program has malpractice, liability and workers' compensation insurance for all staff and a fidelity bond that covers all staff.

(2) Executive director. The executive director shall have primary responsibility for program operations. The duties of the executive director shall be clearly defined in accordance with the policies established by the governing body.

(3) Clinical oversight. The program shall designate a treatment supervisor to oversee provision of licensed program services.

(4) Policies and procedures manual. The program shall maintain and implement a written policies and procedures manual that documents the program's compliance with these rules. The manual shall describe the program's licensed program services and related activities, specify the policies and procedures to be followed, and govern all staff.

a. The manual shall have a table of contents.

b. Revisions to the manual shall be entered with the date and with the name and title of the staff person making the revisions.

(5) Staff development and training. The program's policies and procedures shall establish a staff development and training plan that encompasses all staff and all licensed program services, considers the professional continuing education requirements of certified and licensed staff, and is available to all staff.

a. The program shall designate a staff person responsible for the staff development and training plan.

b. The staff person responsible for the staff development and training plan shall conduct an annual needs assessment.

c. The staff development and training plan shall describe orientation for new staff which includes an overview of the program and licensed program services, confidentiality, tuberculosis and blood-borne pathogens, including HIV/AIDS, and culturally and environmentally specific information. Orientation shall also address the specific responsibilities of each staff person and community resources specific to the staff person's responsibilities.

d. The staff development and training plan shall address training when program operations or licensed program services change.

e. The staff development and training plan may include on-site training activities. The program shall maintain minutes of on-site training that include the name and date of the training, the training topic, the name and title of the trainer, and the names of staff attending the training.

(6) Data reporting. The program's policies and procedures shall describe how the program reports required data to the division in accordance with department requirements and processes.

(7) Fiscal management. The program's policies and procedures shall ensure proper fiscal management, which shall include:

a. The preparation and maintenance of an annual written budget, which shall be reviewed and approved by the governing body prior to the beginning of the budget year.

b. A fiscal management system maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including internal controls to reasonably protect program assets. This shall be verified by an annual independent fiscal audit of the program by the state auditor's office or a certified public accountant based on an agreement entered into by the governing body. A program with an annual budget of $ 100,000 or less shall conduct a fiscal audit no less than every three years.

c. An insurance program that provides for the protection of the physical and financial resources of the program and provides coverage for all people, buildings, and equipment. The insurance program shall be reviewed annually by the governing body.

(8) Personnel. The program shall have personnel policies and procedures.

a. Personnel policies and procedures shall address:

(1) Recruitment and selection of staff;

(2) Wage and salary administration;

(3) Promotions;

(4) Employee benefits;

(5) Working hours;

(6) Vacation and sick leave;

(7) Lines of authority;

(8) Rules of conduct;

(9) Disciplinary actions and termination;

(10) Methods for handling cases of inappropriate patient care;

(11) Work performance appraisal;

(12) Staff accidents and safety;

(13) Staff grievances;

(14) Prohibition of sexual harassment;

(15) Implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act;

(16) Implementation of the Drug-Free Workplace Act;

(17) Use of social media; and

(18) Implementation of equal employment opportunity.

b. The program shall have for each position and each staff person a written job description that describes the duties of each position and staff and the qualifications required for each position.

(1) A staff person providing screening, OWI evaluation, assessment or treatment services in accordance with these rules shall be qualified as an addictive disorder professional by meeting at least one of the following conditions:

1. Be certified or licensed as a substance use disorder or problem gambling counselor by a national or state organization approved by the division.

2. Be licensed as a marital and family therapist or a mental health counselor under Iowa Code chapters 154D and 147, an independent social worker under Iowa Code chapters 154C and 147, or another independent professional authorized by the Iowa Code to diagnose and treat mental disorders as specified in the most current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.

3. Be licensed as a master social worker under Iowa Code chapters 154C and 147.

4. Be licensed as a bachelor social worker under Iowa Code chapters 154C and 147.

5. Be temporarily or provisionally certified or licensed as allowed under a certification or license acceptable to the division. Such staff person must meet all requirements of the temporary or provisional certification or license, must be supervised by a staff person meeting one of the requirements of paragraphs "1" to "4" above, and must be fully certified or licensed within two years of the date on which the person began to provide licensed program services.

6. A staff person employed on and after July 1, 2010, who is not qualified as described in any of the paragraphs "1" to "5" above shall be deemed qualified while the person is in the process of being certified or licensed under a certification or license acceptable to the division. Such staff must meet the requirements of the certification or licensure process, must be supervised by a staff person meeting one of the requirements of paragraphs "1" to "4" above, and must be fully certified or licensed within two years of the date on which the person began to provide licensed program services. The two-year time frame is continuous from the person's date of first employment by the program, including if the person changes employment from one program to another.

7. A person employed before July 1, 2010, and continuously since that date at a program licensed pursuant to this chapter, who is not qualified as described in any of the paragraphs "1" to "5" above, shall be deemed qualified as long as such person remains employed by that program and that program remains licensed. Such staff shall maintain a minimum of 30 hours of training every two years, including a minimum of 3 hours of ethics training, and shall be supervised by a staff person meeting at least one of the conditions of paragraphs "1" to "4" above.

(2) The program shall review job descriptions annually and whenever there is a change in a position's duties or required qualifications.

(3) The program shall include job descriptions in the personnel section of the policies and procedures manual.

c. The program shall conduct a written evaluation of job performance with each staff person at least annually. The evaluation shall include the opportunity for the staff person to comment.

d. The program shall maintain a personnel record on each staff person. The record shall contain, as applicable:

(1) Verification of training, experience, qualifications, and professional credentials;

(2) Job performance evaluations;

(3) Incident reports;

(4) Disciplinary action taken; and

(5) Documentation of review of and agreement to adhere to confidentiality laws and regulations. This review and agreement shall occur prior to the staff person's assumption of duties.

e. The personnel policies and procedures shall ensure confidentiality of personnel records and shall specify staff authorized to have access to personnel information.

f. The program shall notify the division in writing within ten days of being informed that a staff person has been sanctioned or disciplined by a certifying or licensing body. Such notice shall include the sanction or discipline order.

(9) Child abuse, dependent adult abuse and criminal history background checks. The program's policies and procedures shall address child abuse, dependent adult abuse and criminal history background checks.

a. The program shall prohibit mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of children and dependent adults and shall specify reporting and enforcement procedures. Alleged violations shall be reported immediately to the program's executive director and appropriate department of human services personnel. Policies and procedures on reporting alleged violations shall be in compliance with subrule 155.21(10). A staff person found to be in violation of Iowa Code sections 232.67 through 232.70, as substantiated by a department of human services investigation, shall be subject to the program's policies concerning termination.

b. For each staff person working with juveniles as set forth in Iowa Code section 125.14A or with dependent adults as set forth in Iowa Code chapter 235B, the personnel record shall contain:

(1) Documentation of a criminal history background check with the Iowa division of criminal investigation on all new staff applicants. The background check shall include asking whether the applicant has been convicted of a crime.

(2) A written, signed and dated statement furnished by a new staff applicant which discloses any substantiated report of child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse or dependent adult abuse.

(3) Documentation of a check prior to permanent acceptance of a person as staff, with the Iowa central registry for any substantiated reports of child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse pursuant to Iowa Code section 125.14A or substantiated reports of dependent adult abuse for all staff hired or accepted on or after July 1, 1994, pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 235B.

c. A person who has a record of a criminal conviction or founded child abuse report or founded dependent adult abuse report shall not be hired or accepted as staff unless an evaluation of the crime or founded child abuse or founded dependent adult abuse has been made by the department of human services which concludes that the crime or founded child abuse or founded dependent adult abuse does not merit prohibition of employment. If a record of criminal conviction or founded child abuse or founded dependent adult abuse does exist, the person shall be offered the opportunity to complete and submit Form 470-2310, Record Check Evaluation. In its evaluation, the department of human services shall consider the nature and seriousness of the crime or founded abuse in relation to the position sought, the time elapsed since the commission of the crime or founded abuse, the circumstances under which the crime or founded abuse was committed, the degree of rehabilitation and the number of crimes or founded abuses committed by the person involved.

d. A staff person providing screening, OWI evaluation, assessment or treatment in accordance with this chapter shall complete two hours of child abuse identification and reporting training and two hours of dependent adult abuse identification and reporting training within six months of initial employment and at least two hours of additional child abuse identification and reporting training and two hours of additional dependent adult abuse identification and reporting training every three years thereafter. If the staff person completes at least one hour of additional child abuse identification and reporting training and one hour of additional dependent adult abuse identification and reporting training prior to the three-year expiration period, the staff person shall be deemed in compliance with the training requirements for an additional three years. An employer of a staff person subject to these requirements may provide supplemental training, specific to identification and reporting of child abuse or dependent adult abuse as it relates to the person's professional practice, in addition to the core training provided. A training certificate relating to the identification and reporting of child abuse or dependent adult abuse issued prior to July 1, 2019, remains effective and continues in effect as issued for the five-year period following its issuance.

(10) Patient records. The program's policies and procedures shall describe compilation, storage and dissemination of patient records and release or disclosure of information.

a. The policies and procedures shall ensure that:

(1) The program protects the patient record against loss, tampering or unauthorized disclosure of information;

(2) The content and format of patient records are uniform;

(3) All entries in the patient record are in chronological order, signed, dated and legible. When records are maintained electronically, a staff identification code number authorizing access shall be accepted in lieu of a signature;

(4) Each entry in the patient record is made in permanent ink, by typewriter, or by computer; and

(5) Entries in the patient record use language consistent with generally accepted standards of practice and do not include abstract terms, technical jargon or slang.

b. The program shall provide adequate physical facilities for the secure storage, processing and handling of patient records.

c. Appropriate patient records shall be readily accessible to staff as specifically authorized by program policy.

d. The program shall appropriately maintain and dispose of patient records. Patient records shall be maintained for not less than seven years from the date they are officially closed.

e. Each file cabinet or storage area containing patient records shall be locked.

f. The program shall release or disclose information on individuals seeking program services or on patients in strict accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state and federal confidentiality laws, rules and regulations.

(1) The confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records and information is protected by HIPAA and the regulations on confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records, 42 CFR Part 2, which implement federal statutory provisions, 42 U.S.C. 290dd-3 applicable to alcohol abuse patient records, and 42 U.S.C. 290ee-3 applicable to drug abuse patient records.

(2) The confidentiality of problem gambling patient records and information is protected by HIPAA, Iowa Code chapter 228 and Iowa Code section 22.7(35).

g. A program that provides licensed program services via electronic means shall inform the patient of the limitations and risks associated with such services and shall document in the patient record that such notice has been provided.

h. Upon receipt of a properly executed written release of information or authorization to disclose signed by the patient, the program shall release patient records in a timely manner. A program shall not refuse to release patient records related to continuation of care solely because payment has not been received. A program may refuse to release patient records that are unrelated to continuation of care if payment has not been received. A program may refuse to file the reporting form required by 641-subrule 157.3(1), "Notice Iowa Code 321J-Confidential Medical Record," reporting screening, evaluation, and treatment completion, if payment has not been received for such services.

(11) Assessment and admission. The program's policies and procedures shall address screening, assessment, referral and admission and documentation of such activities in the patient record.

a. The program shall conduct an assessment with each patient prior to admission unless the patient's current risk factors indicate a need for immediate admission.

(1) If the program admits a patient based on a screening or initial assessment that indicates the patient requires immediate admission, that screening or initial assessment must be updated and expanded to a full assessment when the patient's current risk factors are stabilized.

(2) The assessment shall be documented in the patient record and shall be organized in a manner that supports development of a treatment plan by the program or by any program to which the patient is referred.

b. The program shall implement a uniform assessment process that describes:

(1) The information to be gathered;

(2) Procedures for accepting a referral from another program, agency or organization;

(3) Procedures for referring a patient to another program, agency or organization.

c. A substance use disorder treatment program, problem gambling treatment program, or substance use disorder and problem gambling treatment program shall update the assessment on an ongoing basis, when clinically indicated, and within the periods of time specified for each level of care in the management-of-care review process.

d. The results of each assessment shall be clearly explained to the patient, and to the patient's family when appropriate, and such explanation shall be documented in the patient record.

e. At the time of admission, a substance use disorder treatment program, problem gambling treatment program, or substance use disorder and problem gambling treatment program shall document that the patient has been informed of:

(1) The general nature and goals of the program;

(2) Rules governing patient conduct and infractions that can lead to disciplinary action or discharge from the program;

(3) The hours during which services are available;

(4) The costs to be borne by the patient;

(5) Patient rights and responsibilities;

(6) Confidentiality laws, rules and regulations; and

(7) Safety and emergency procedures.

(12) Treatment plans. The policies and procedures for substance use disorder treatment programs, problem gambling treatment programs, and substance use disorder and problem gambling treatment programs shall describe the program's uniform process for developing individualized treatment plans based on ongoing assessment and documentation of such plans in the patient record.

a. Staff shall initiate development of the treatment plan as soon after the patient's admission as is clinically feasible and within the period of time between admission and the review date specified for that level of care in the management-of-care review process.

b. The treatment plan shall minimally contain:

(1) A summary of assessment findings;

(2) Patient short- and long-term goals;

(3) The type and frequency of planned treatment activities;

(4) The staff responsible for the patient's treatment; and

(5) Culturally and environmentally specific considerations.

c. Staff shall develop each treatment plan in partnership with the patient, with patient participation documented in the patient record. The treatment plan shall be written in a manner clearly understandable to the patient. Staff shall give the patient a copy of each treatment plan. The patient and staff shall review and revise the treatment plan when clinically indicated and in accordance with the time frames specified in the management-of-care review process.

d. Treatment plan reviews shall be based on ongoing assessment and shall specify the indicated level of care and licensed program services and any revision of treatment plan goals. The date of the review and any revision of the treatment plan shall be documented in the patient record.

(13) Progress notes. The policies and procedures for substance use disorder treatment programs, problem gambling treatment programs, and substance use disorder and problem gambling treatment programs shall describe the program's uniform process for reviewing a patient's current status and progress in meeting treatment plan goals and documenting such review in the patient record.

a. Progress notes shall include the date each service was provided or observation was made and the name and title of the staff person providing each service.

b. Staff shall enter a progress note following each individual counseling session.

c. Staff shall enter a summary progress note at least weekly for group counseling sessions.

d. Progress notes that involve subjective interpretations of a patient's status or progress should be supplemented with a description of the behavioral observations that were the basis for the interpretation.

(14) Patient record contents. The program's policies and procedures shall require that a record be maintained for each patient and shall specify the contents of the patient record.

a. The patient record shall include:

(1) Any screening;

(2) Each assessment;

(3) Results of any physical examination or laboratory test;

(4) Admission information;

(5) Any report from a referring source or outside resource;

(6) Notes from any case conference, consultation, care coordination or case management;

(7) Any correspondence related to the patient, including letters, electronic communications and telephone conversations;

(8) Any treatment consent form;

(9) Any release of information or authorization to disclose;

(10) Notes on any service provided; and

(11) Any incident report.

b. For substance use disorder treatment programs, problem gambling treatment programs, and substance use disorder and problem gambling treatment programs, the patient record shall also include:

(1) Treatment plans;

(2) Management-of-care reviews;

(3) Medication records, which shall allow for the monitoring of all medications administered and self-administered and detection of adverse drug reactions;

(4) Progress notes;

(5) Discharge summaries completed within 30 days of discharge, which shall be sufficiently detailed to identify the types of services the patient received, action taken to address specific problems identified, and plans for services and referrals postdischarge.

c. For problem gambling treatment programs and substance use disorder and problem gambling treatment programs, the patient record shall also include documentation of financial counseling services that assist problem gambling patients in preparing a budget and addressing financial debt options, including restitution and bankruptcy.

(15) Drug screening. The program's policies and procedures shall address collection of drug-screening specimens and utilization of drug-screening results. Such policies may state that the program does not conduct drug screening.

a. A specimen obtained from a patient shall be collected under direct supervision and analyzed in accordance with program policies, or the program shall have a policy in place to reduce the patient's ability to alter the drug screening.

b. Any laboratory used by the program for drug screening and analysis shall comply with federal and state requirements.

c. A program conducting on-site drug screening shall comply with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act regulations.

d. The manner in which drug-screening results are utilized shall be documented in the patient record.

(16) Medical and mental health services. The program's policies and procedures shall address patient medical and mental health conditions.

a. In addition to assessment of biomedical conditions and complications as described in the ASAM criteria, the program shall take a medical history and perform a physical examination and necessary laboratory tests as follows for patients admitted to the level of care specified:

(1) Medically managed intensive inpatient treatment and medically monitored intensive inpatient treatment: within 24 hours of admission.

(2) Clinically managed high-intensity residential treatment and clinically managed medium-intensity residential treatment: within 7 days of admission.

(3) Clinically managed low-intensity residential treatment: within 21 days of admission.

(4) Crisis stabilization services and opioid treatment program services: within 24 hours of admission.

b. A program may accept a medical history or physical examination from a qualified source if the history or examination was completed no more than 90 days prior to the patient's current admission.

c. In addition to assessment of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive conditions and complications as described in the ASAM criteria, a program may accept a mental health history from a qualified source if the history was completed no more than three days prior to the patient's current admission.

(17) Emergency services. The program's policies and procedures shall address the availability of emergency services for substance use disorders and medical and mental health conditions.

a. Emergency services shall be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

b. Emergency services may be provided by the program or by any other qualified individual, institution, facility, or other legal entity.

c. The program shall communicate the availability of emergency services by posting notice at facilities, having a recorded message on the program's telephone system, posting notice on the program's website and through program materials.

(18) Medication control. The program's policies and procedures shall describe how medications are administered or self-administered in accordance with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Such policies may state that the program does not conduct medication administration or self-administration.

a. Staff authorized to administer medications shall be qualified, and a current list of such staff shall be maintained. The following health professionals are designated by rule 657-8.32 (124,155A) as qualified individuals to whom a prescriber can delegate the administration of medications:

(1) Persons who have successfully completed a medication administration course reviewed by the board of pharmacy.

(2) Advanced emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

(3) Licensed physician assistants.

(4) Licensed pharmacists.

(5) Nurses, interns or other qualified individuals delegated the responsibility to administer medications by a prescriber licensed by the appropriate state board to administer medications to patients, in accordance with Iowa Code section 155A.4(2) "c."

b. Medication shall be administered only in accordance with the instructions of the attending prescriber. The type and amount of the medication, the time and date, and the staff person administering the medication shall be documented in the patient record.

c. Self-administration of medication shall be observed by a staff person who has been oriented to the program's policies and procedures on self-administration. Self-administration of medication shall be permitted only when the patient's medication is clearly labeled. The policies and procedures on self-administration shall include:

(1) Medications are ordered or prescribed by a prescriber.

(2) The prescriber agrees that the patient can self-administer the medication.

(3) The medication taken and how and when the medication is taken are documented in the patient record.

d. Prescription medication shall not be administered to or self-administered by a patient without a written order signed by a prescriber. All prescribed medications shall be clearly labeled indicating the patient's full name, the prescriber's name, the prescription number, and the name and strength of the medication, the dosage, the directions for use, and the date of issue; and the name, address and telephone number of the pharmacy or prescriber issuing the medication. Medications shall be packaged and labeled according to state and federal guidelines.

e. If a medication the patient brings to the program is not used, it shall be packaged, sealed and stored. The sealed package of medication shall be returned to the patient, family or designee at the time of discharge.

f. Accountability and control of medications.

(1) There shall be a specific routine for medication administration, indicating dose schedules and standardization of abbreviations.

(2) There shall be specific methods for control and accountability of medication products throughout the program.

(3) The staff person in charge of medications shall provide for monthly inspection of all storage units.

(4) Prescription medication containers having soiled, damaged, illegible, or makeshift labels shall be returned to the issuing pharmacist, pharmacy, or prescriber for relabeling or disposal.

(5) Unused prescription medication prescribed for a patient who leaves a program without the patient's medication shall be destroyed by a staff person with a staff witness, and a notation shall be made in the patient record. When a patient is discharged or leaves the program, medication currently being administered shall be sent, in the original container, with the patient or with a responsible agent, as approved by a prescriber.

g. Medication storage shall be maintained in accordance with the security requirements of federal, state and local laws.

(1) All medication shall be maintained in locked storage. Controlled substances shall be maintained in a locked box within the locked cabinet.

(2) Medications requiring refrigeration shall be kept in a refrigerator and separated from food and other items.

(3) Disinfectants and medication for external use shall be stored separately from internal and injectable medications.

(4) The medication for each patient shall be stored in the original container.

(5) All poisonous or caustic medication shall be plainly labeled, stored separately from other medication in a specific well-illuminated cabinet, closet, or storeroom and made accessible only to authorized staff.

h. Prescription medication provided to a patient shall be dispensed only from a licensed pharmacy in the state of Iowa in accordance with the pharmacy laws in the Iowa Code, or from a licensed pharmacy in another state according to the laws of that state, or by a licensed prescriber.

i. Prescription medication prescribed for one patient shall not be administered to or allowed to be in the possession of another patient.

j. Any unusual patient reaction to a medication shall be documented in the patient record and reported to the prescriber immediately.

k. Dilution or reconstitution and labeling of medication shall be done only by a licensed pharmacist.

(19) Management of care and discharge planning. The program's policies and procedures shall use the ASAM criteria for assessment, admission, continued service and discharge decisions and shall describe management-of-care processes.

a. The program shall conduct care coordination to meet each patient's needs and promote effective outcomes.

b. The program shall conduct management-of-care activities at least minimally within the time frames specified for each level of care.

(1) Medically managed intensive inpatient treatment and medically monitored intensive inpatient treatment: daily.

(2) Clinically managed high-intensity residential treatment, clinically managed medium-intensity residential treatment, partial/day treatment, and intensive outpatient treatment: within seven days of the patient's admission.

(3) Clinically managed low-intensity residential treatment and outpatient treatment: within 30 days of the patient's admission.

c. The program shall coordinate patient care with other programs for any licensed program service for which the program is not licensed and with qualified individuals and organizations for any related services the program does not provide, such as crisis stabilization, medical services, mental health services, and social services.

d. At the time of the patient's admission, the program shall initiate discharge planning that includes a determination of the patient's continued need for licensed program services and development of a plan to address ongoing patient needs postdischarge.

(20) Quality improvement. The program's policies and procedures shall describe a written quality improvement plan that encompasses all licensed program services and related program operations.

a. The program shall designate a staff person responsible for the quality improvement plan.

b. The quality improvement plan shall describe and document monitoring, problem-solving and evaluation activities designed to systematically identify and resolve problems and make continued improvements.

(1) The quality improvement plan shall include specific goals, objectives, and methods.

(2) The quality improvement plan shall include objective criteria to measure its effectiveness.

c. The program shall document whether the quality of patient care and program operations are improved and identified problems are resolved.

d. The program shall communicate quality improvement plan activities and findings to all staff.

e. Quality improvement plan findings are used to detect trends, patterns of performance, and potential problems that affect patient care and program operations.

f. The program shall evaluate the effectiveness of the quality improvement plan at least annually and revise the plan as necessary.

(21) Facility safety and cleanliness. The program's policies and procedures shall ensure that program physical facilities are clean, well-ventilated, heated, free from vermin, and appropriately furnished and are designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained in a manner that provides for the physical safety of patients, concerned persons, visitors and staff.

a. If required by local jurisdiction, the program shall maintain a certification of occupancy.

b. During all phases of construction or alterations of buildings, the level of life safety shall not be diminished in any occupied area. The construction shall be in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local codes. New construction shall comply with Iowa Code chapter 104A and all applicable federal and local codes and provide for safe and convenient use by disabled individuals.

c. The program shall have specific policies and procedures for each of the following:

(1) Identification, development, implementation, maintenance and review of safety policies and procedures.

(2) Promotion and maintenance of an ongoing, facilitywide hazard surveillance program to detect and report all safety hazards.

(3) Safe and proper disposal of biohazardous waste.

(4) Stairways, halls, and aisles. Stairways, halls, and aisles shall be of substantial, nonslippery material, maintained in a good state of repair, adequately lighted and kept free from obstructions at all times. All stairways shall have handrails.

(5) Radiators, registers, and steam and hot water pipes, each of which shall have protective covering or insulation. Electrical outlets and switches shall have wall plates.

(6) For programs serving juveniles, fuse boxes that shall be under lock and key or six feet above the floor.

(7) Safe and proper handling and storage of hazardous materials.

(8) Prohibition against weapon possession; safe and proper removal of weapons.

(9) Swimming pools. Swimming pools shall conform to state and local health and safety rules and regulations. Adult supervision shall be provided at all times when juveniles are using the pool.

(10) Ponds, lakes, or any bodies of water located on or near the program and accessible to patients, concerned persons, visitors and staff.

(11) The written plan to be followed in the event of fire or tornado. The plan shall be conspicuously displayed at the facility.

(22) Therapeutic environment. The program's policies and procedures shall provide for the establishment of an environment that preserves human dignity. Program facilities shall have adequate space for the program to provide licensed program services.

a. The program's policies and procedures shall include a description of how all licensed program services are accessible to people with disabilities or how the program provides accommodations for people with disabilities. All programs shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

b. The waiting or reception areas shall be of adequate size and be located so as to ensure patient confidentiality.

c. Staff shall be available in waiting or reception areas to address the needs of the patients, potential patients, concerned persons, and visitors.

d. The program's policies and procedures shall include:

(1) Possession and use of chemical substances in the facility.

(2) Prohibition of smoking.

(3) Prohibition of the sale or other provision of any tobacco product.

(4) Informing patients of their legal and human rights at the time of admission.

(5) Patient communication, opinions, or grievances, with a mechanism for redress.

(6) Prohibition of sexual harassment.

(7) Patient right to privacy.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 641-155.21

Adopted by IAB April 1, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Number 20, effective 5/6/2015 Amended by IAB October 9, 2019/Volume XLII, Number 8, effective 11/13/2019