Page 152
(4) A staff member may not use any type of physical restraint on a child unless the child’s behavior presents an imminent danger of harm to self or others and physical restraint is necessary to contain the risk and keep the child and others safe. (5) A staff member shall attempt other feasible alternatives to de-escalate a child and situation before using physical restraint. (6) A staff member may not use physical restraint as disciplinary action, for the convenience of the staff member, or for therapeutic purposes. (7) If physical restraint is necessary, a staff member may only use the physical restraint in the following manner: (a) With the least amount of force necessary and in the least restrictive manner to manage the imminent danger of harm to self or others; (b) That lasts only for the duration of time that there is an imminent danger of harm to self or others; (c) That does not include any of the following: (i) Any mechanical restraint or equipment that restricts the movement of a child or a portion of the child’s body; (ii) A prone restraint that places a child in a face down position as behavior intervention; (iii) Any maneuver or technique that does not give adequate attention and care to protection of the child’s head; (iv) Any maneuver that places pressure or weight on the child’s chest, lungs, sternum, diaphragm, back, or abdomen causing chest compression; (v) Any maneuver that places pressure, weight, or leverage on the neck or throat, on any artery, or on the back of the child’s head or neck, or that otherwise obstructs or restricts the circulation or blood or obstructs an airway, such as straddling or sitting on the child’s torso; (vi) Any type of choke hold; (vii) Any technique that uses pain inducement to obtain compliance or control, including punching, hitting, hyperextension of joints, or extended use of pressure points for pain compliance; (viii) Any technique that involves pushing on or into a child’s mouth, nose, or eyes, or covering the child’s face or body with anything, including soft objects, such as pillows, washcloths, blankets, and bedding. (8) After an episode of physical restraint, a debriefing shall take place with the child and staff that were involved in the physical restraint. (9) Each staff member who uses a physical restraint or who witnesses the use of a physical restraint shall, within 24 hours of each incident, give the director or director’s designee a written description of the incident. The director or director’s designee shall document each incident, including date, time, and a description of the circumstances of the incident, and complete a critical incident report. Each description shall include all of the following: (a) The name, age, and sex of each child involved; (b) The date, time, and location of the incident; (c) The name and job title of each staff member involved in the restraint and each staff member or volunteer who witnessed the use of the restraint; (d) Circumstances leading up to the use of restraint, the behavior that prompted the restraint, efforts made to de-escalate the situation and the alternatives to restraint that were attempted; (e) A description of the administration of the restraint, including the holds used and the reasons the holds were necessary; (f) The beginning and ending time of the restraint and how the restraint ended; (g) Behavior of the child during and after the use of the restraint; (h) Any injuries sustained by a child or staff member and any medical care provided, including the name and title of the person providing the care;