Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

[mkaplan]

We are attempting to determine an appropriate receptacle type for use in the general area of a psychiatric ward in a hospital. This is not in the "Seclusion Rooms" which are used temporarily for acutely mentally ill and suicidal patients. The concern is that a mentally ill patient may stick something in the receptacle to do self or others harm.

We currently have hospital grade receptacles. It has been suggested we change all to GFCI receptacles or GFCI protected circuits. Others have suggested "Tamper Resistant" receptacles.

I have a sample "Tamper Resistant" receptacle from GE (mfg). It refers to "compliance with NEC 517-90b." I can find no such passage in NEC. The NEC index for "tamper resistant" receptacle refers us to "receptacle", but there is no such reference under "receptacles." Also - there is no cross reference in appendix F to 517-90b.

[ January 23, 2006, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: mkaplan ]

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

The current reference is 517.18(C) for pediatric locations. Based on your description of the location and conditions, I think both gfci and tamper-resistant protection is reasonable if not completely necessary.

 

[roger]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

Do you really need receptacles in these room?

Roger

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

Perhpas they can be used as a component of "shock theropy"?

 

[roger]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

Good point Bryan.

Roger

 

[pierre]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

Seeing as this is the general use areas, is there no supervision of the patients in these areas?
I understand the human element of this, but I also see a contractor's side of this when there is no code requirement such as NEC or NFPA 99.

 

[mkaplan]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

Good question. Yes there is supervision, but it is not "one-to-one" They say that it may be up to 20 minutes between checks.

This may be a CYA issue, so I'm looking for established guidance or what others have done in similar situations.

There was a suicide attempt, so they did a "Risk Assesment." This is one of the items they (clinical) came up with as an action item.

 

[petersonra]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

do they even normally need the receptacles?

maybe the answer is to just turn them off at the panelboard and only turn them on when needed.

 

[roger]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

Once again, are the receptacles needed? They are not required (per the NEC) in these rooms.

Since this is a hospital and this area will undoubtedly be something else in the future, you could blank the receptacles with stainless steel covers and tamper proof screws. This is what we commonly do in these spaces.

If they must be there, I agree that you should use GFCI circuits with
Hospital Grade Tamper Resistant Receptacles

Roger

[ January 23, 2006, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: roger ]

 

[iwire]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

Originally posted by roger:
Since this is a hospital and this area will undoubtedly be something else in the future,.....

They certainly do keep us busy with remodels.

 

[roger]

Re: Recptacles in Psychiatric Bed area within a Health Care

Originally posted by iwire:

Originally posted by roger:
Since this is a hospital and this area will undoubtedly be something else in the future,.....

They certainly do keep us busy with remodels.

Roger