UT-Harris County Psychiatric Center

Nursing Procedures

 

Contraband Precautions - Adolescent Unit

Nursing

Harris County Psychiatric Center: Office Administration

To maintain a safe and constructive milieu, patients are not allowed to bring certain items on the unit.  Patients who have difficulty complying with this unit requirement may be put on Contraband Precautions

contraband, precautions, adolescent unit, restricted items

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

 

Date of Last Review:  4/07

 

To maintain a safe and constructive milieu, patients are not allowed to bring certain items on the unit.  Patients who have difficulty complying with this unit requirement may be put on Contraband Precautions.

 

Procedure:

 

A Contraband Precaution is a treatment modality used to monitor and assist the patient in bringing into compliance the requirements of the adolescent unit.  A patient found with contraband may be placed on contraband precautions.

 

An R.N. may write an order for contraband precautions.  A physician's signature for the order must be obtained within 24 hours of the written order.

 

Documentation in the progress notes must describe the specific behavior necessitating the precautions.

 

Patients can attend activities, but may undergo a body review after an outside activity with a physician's order.  All patients placed on contraband precautions will undergo a body review after family meetings, family visits, and/or returning from a pass.  A physician's order must be obtained for the body review.

 

Contraband precautions are assessed daily by the treatment team.

 

Daily progress notes reflect the need for remaining on contraband precautions.

 

The following items are considered Restricted Items on Adolescent Units:

 

Restricted Items

 

·  Razors (electric razors will be provided by the hospital)

·  Glass, ceramic or hard plastic containers

·  Aerosol cans

·  Metal objects, scissors, files, clippers, wire clothes hangers, knitting needles

·  Sharp items of any kind; rat-tailed combs, hair rakes, picks, craft supplies, etc.

·  Boots, hard sole shoes, high heels, shoe strings

·  Belts or suspenders

·  Electrical appliances of any kind

·  Nail polish and remover

·  Alcohol, cosmetics with alcohol, alcoholic beverages

·  Personal medication or drugs of any kind

·  Suitcases or plastic bags

·  Knives or weapons of any kind

·  Gum, cigarettes or tobacco products

·  Beepers, cellular phones

·  Hats, caps, headbands

·  Clothing with drug or alcohol-related inscriptions, gang-related clothing, draw strings in pants

·  Any drug paraphernalia

Any other questionable items may be brought into treatment team rounds the next day for evaluation.

 

Related Standards: