Section 388-865-0810. Triage facility—General requirements for certification.

Under chapter 71.05 RCW, the department certifies facilities to provide triage services that assess and stabilize an individual, or determine the need for involuntary commitment. The department does not require a facility licensed by the department of health (DOH) that was providing assessment and stabilization services under chapter 71.05 RCW as of April, 22, 2011, to relicense or recertify under these rules. A request for an exemption must be made to DOH and the department.

(1) To obtain and maintain certification as a triage facility (defined in WAC 388-865-0800), a facility must:

(a) Be licensed by the department of health (DOH) as a residential treatment facility;

(b) Meet the requirements for voluntary admissions under this chapter;

(c) Meet the requirements for involuntary admissions under this chapter if it elects to operate and be certified as a triage involuntary placement facility;

(d) Ensure that the facility and its services are accessible to individuals with disabilities, as required by applicable federal, state, and local laws;

(e) Admit only individuals who are eighteen years of age and older; and

(f) Successfully complete a provisional and annual on-site review administered by the department's division of behavioral health and recovery (DBHR) and be determined by DBHR to be in compliance with the standards of this chapter and chapter 72.06 RCW.

(2) If a triage facility is collocated in another facility, there must be a physical separation. Physically separate means the triage facility is located in an area with no resident foot traffic between the triage facility and other areas of the building, except in case of emergencies.

(3) A triage facility must have, at a minimum:

(a) A written organizational structure that describes clear lines of authority of administrative oversight and clinical supervision.

(b) A designated person in charge of administration of the triage unit.

(c) A mental health professional (MHP) on-site twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

(d) A written program description that includes:

(i) Program goals;

(ii) Identification of service categories to be provided;

(iii) Length of stay criteria;

(iv) Identification of the ages or range of ages of individual populations to be served;

(v) A statement that only an individual eighteen years of age or older may be admitted to the triage facility; and

(vi) Any limitation or inability to serve or provide program services to an individual who:

(A) Requires acute medical services;

(B) Has limited mobility;

(C) Has limited physical capacity for self care; or

(D) Exhibits physical violence.

(e) A quality management plan to ensure the facility monitors, collects appropriate data, and develops improvements to meet the requirements of this chapter.

(f) Written procedures to ensure a secure and safe environment. Examples of these procedures are:

(i) Visual monitoring of the population environment by line of sight, mirrors or electronic means;

(ii) Having sufficient staff available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to meet the behavioral management needs of the current facility population; and

(iii) Having staff trained in facility security and behavioral management techniques.

(g) Written procedures to ensure that an individual is examined by an MHP within three hours of the individual's arrival at the facility.

(h) Written procedures to ensure that a designated mental health professional (DMHP) evaluates a voluntarily admitted individual for involuntary commitment when the individual's behavior warrants an evaluation.

(i) Written procedures that are in accordance with WAC 246-322-180, 246-337-110, 246-320-271, and 388-865-0545, if the triage facility declares any intent to provide seclusion and/or restraint.

(j) Written procedures to facilitate appropriate and safe transportation, if necessary, for an individual who is:

(i) Not being held for police custody and/or police pick up;

(ii) Denied admission to the triage facility; or

(iii) Detained for transfer to a certified evaluation and treatment facility.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 71.05.020, 71.05.150, 71.05.153, 71.24.035, and 2011 c 148. WSR 12-19-039, § 388-865-0810, filed 9/12/12, effective 10/13/12.]

RCW 71.05.020, 71.05.150, 71.05.153, 71.24.035, and 2011 c 148. WSR 12-19-039, § 388-865-0810, filed 9/12/12, effective 10/13/12.

Rules

388-865-0800,246-322-180,246-337-110,246-320-271,388-865-0545,