(405 ILCS 5/2-109) (from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 2-109)

Sec. 2-109. Seclusion. Seclusion may be used only as a therapeutic measure to prevent a recipient from causing physical harm to himself or physical abuse to others. In no event shall seclusion be utilized to punish or discipline a recipient, nor is seclusion to be used as a convenience for the staff.

(a) Seclusion shall be employed only upon the written order of a physician, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, clinical professional counselor, advanced practice psychiatric nurse, or registered nurse with supervisory responsibilities. No seclusion shall be ordered unless the physician, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, clinical professional counselor, advanced practice psychiatric nurse, or registered nurse with supervisory responsibilities, after personally observing and examining the recipient, is clinically satisfied that the use of seclusion is justified to prevent the recipient from causing physical harm to himself or others. In no event may seclusion continue for longer than 2 hours unless within that time period a nurse with supervisory responsibilities, advanced practice psychiatric nurse, or a physician confirms in writing, following a personal examination of the recipient, that the seclusion does not pose an undue risk to the recipient's health in light of the recipient's physical or medical condition. The order shall state the events leading up to the need for seclusion and the purposes for which seclusion is employed. The order shall also state the length of time seclusion is to be employed and the clinical justification for the length of time. No order for seclusion shall be valid for more than 16 hours. If further seclusion is required, a new order must be issued pursuant to the requirements provided in this Section.

(b) The person who orders seclusion shall inform the facility director or his designee in writing of the use of seclusion within 24 hours.

(c) The facility director shall review all seclusion orders daily and shall inquire into the reasons for the orders for seclusion by any person who routinely orders them.

(d) Seclusion may be employed during all or part of one 16 hour period, that period commencing with the initial application of the seclusion. However, once seclusion has been employed during one 16 hour period, it shall not be used again on the same recipient during the next 48 hours without the prior written authorization of the facility director.

(e) The person who ordered the seclusion shall assign a qualified person to observe the recipient at all times. A recipient who is restrained and secluded shall be observed by a qualified person as often as is clinically appropriate but in no event less than once every 15 minutes.

(f) Safety precautions shall be followed to prevent injuries to the recipient in the seclusion room. Seclusion rooms shall be adequately lighted, heated, and furnished. If a door is locked, someone with a key shall be in constant attendance nearby.

(g) Whenever seclusion is used, the recipient shall be advised of his right, pursuant to Sections 2-200 and 2-201 of this Code, to have any person of his choosing, including the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission notified of the seclusion. A person who is under guardianship may request that any person of his choosing be notified of the seclusion whether or not the guardian approves of the notice. Whenever the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission is notified that a recipient has been secluded, it shall contact that recipient to determine the circumstances of the seclusion and whether further action is warranted.

(Source: P.A. 101-587, eff. 1-1-20.)