50-5-1201. Use of safety devices -- request and consent -- allowed individuals -- intent. (1) The following individuals may request the use of and provide informed consent for the use of certain safety devices aimed at ensuring the physical safety of the resident by reducing the risk of falls and injuries associated with a resident's medical symptom even if the resident cannot easily remove the device or the device restricts the resident's total freedom of movement:
     (a) a resident;
     (b) a family member of a resident who is unable to make decisions because the resident has a communication barrier or has been found by a physician to be medically incapable of granting informed consent, as provided in 50-5-1203;
     (c) a guardian, as defined in 72-1-103; or
     (d) a person granted the power of attorney for health care decisions.
     (2) A concern for a resident's physical safety or a resident's fear of falling may provide the basis for a medical symptom. A safety device may not be used for the convenience of staff or for disciplinary purposes.
     (3) This part is intended to provide residents and authorized or designated representatives with the authority to request and consent to the use of safety devices but is not intended to interfere with the right of licensed health care providers acting within their scope of practice to recommend and order treatments and services, including physical restraints, for residents in their care.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 347, L. 2001.