Community Grievance Decision Digest

AESTHETICS, HYGIENE and SANITATION

THE LAW:

Each patient shall... "Have a right to a humane psychological and physical environment within the hospital facilities.  These facilities shall be designed to afford patients with comfort and safety, promote dignity and respect and ensure privacy.  Facilities shall also be designed to make a positive contribution to the effective attainment of the treatment goals of the hospital."

§ 51.61(1)(m), Wis. Stats. [Emphasis added.]

"Treatment facilities shall provide patients with a clean, safe and humane environment as required under s. 51.61(1)(m), Stats., and this section."

HFS 94.24(1), Wis. Admin. Code [Emphasis added.]

"Each inpatient shall be assisted to achieve maximum capability in personal hygiene and self-grooming and shall have reasonable access to:

  1.     Toilet articles;

  2.     Toothbrush and dentifrice;

  3.       A shower or tub bath at least once every 2 days, unless medically contraindicated;

  4.       Services of a barber or beautician on a regular basis; and

  5.       Shaving equipment and facilities."

HFS 94.24(2)(f), Wis. Admin. Code [Emphasis added.]

"Inpatients shall be allowed to provide their own room decorations except that a facility may restrict this right for documented security or safety reasons.  Facilities may adopt policies restricting where patients may display sexually explicit or patently offensive room decorations and may prohibit gang-related room decorations."

HFS 94.24(2)(j), Wis.Admin. Code [Emphasis added.]

DECISIONS:

None at this time.

Last Updated: November 07, 2006