TITLE: Accommodation of Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD) Partnered with Service Animals

GOALS:
Short Range: To provide the PLWD an accommodation for their service animal (SA) during their hospital stay.

Long Range: To provide a supportive environment for PLWD
To comply with federal and state regulations regarding service animals
To enhance relationships between PLWD and the hospital

DEFINITIONS: Service animals are individually trained partners that enhance quality of life and mitigate disabilities for persons who are differently-abled. These animals serve the PLWD in a variety of ways, including but not limited to retrieving, pulling, alerting to sounds and/or seizures, minimal protection, opening/closing doors, etc. A service animal is afforded access to all places the public is invited when accompanying their human partner.

Overall Policy regarding SA in hospital room.

A. All SA will be free of actual or potential communicable diseases at the time of admission. If a SA demonstrates observable signs of illness, the facility may:

1. Request, at the PLWD's expense, a veterinarian certificate of health.
2. If the PLWD refuses to provide a health certificate for the SA, the SA can be removed from the health care facility.

B. No animals will be allowed in the following locations

• Laundry and clean linen areas.
• Dining rooms unless accompanying the PLWD.
• Storage closets.
• Places where medications are being prepared.
• Any department in which an invasive procedure is performed.
• Any other client room except that of the PLWD.

C. Persons handling the SA will be required to wash their hands immediately following the interaction.

D. The PLWD will provide all food and supplies required by the SA.

E. SAs are on duty while harnessed or on a leash. Hospital staff will not interact with the SA during these time. In addition, hospital personnel will attempt to educate members of the visiting public about the presence of the SA.

F. The hospital recognizes that the presence of a SA is a new experience for their staff and clients. Therefore, this policy will be reviewed and revised if necessary every 3 months.



ELECTIVE ADMISSION
EMERGENCY ADMISSION
OUT-PATIENT


When a PLWD is to be admitted to the hospital for an elective procedure, the following policy will apply.

A. PLWD will contact the hospital admissions department prior to their admission date to notify the department that the service animal will be admitted with their human partner.

B. The hospital will assess the situation and if medically and financially possible, assign the PLWD a private room. If not, a semi-private room will be assigned.

C. The PLWD will make arrangements with a support person to care for the service animal if he/she is unable to assume that care.

D. The SA will remain under the direction of the PLWD or their designee at all times. IF at any time the PLWD is unable to maintain the direction of the SA, alternate arrangements will be made.

E. The SA will remain with the PLWD at all times except when medically contraindicated.

F. At no time are hospital employees, acting in a professional capacity allowed to provide care for the SA. This care includes but is not limited to feeding, toileting, exercising, and interacting.

G. Any facility employees who are off duty and volunteer to care for the SA do so at their own risk and liability.

H. If the presence of the SA is found to interfere with the mission of the hospital, alternate arrangements will be made for the SA.



When the PLWD is admitted to the hospital during an emergency.

A. When a PLWD is brought to the hospital with a medical emergency, care of the SA will temporarily be assumed by a non-licensed assistive personnel who is not essential to the mission of the emergency department at that moment in time.

B. A hospital designee will notify Social Service who will in turn contact someone designated by the PLWD. This person will come to the hospital and assume responsibility for the SA.

C. The SA may be brought to the hospital to visit the PLWD whenever medically feasible.

D. The SA may be admitted to the room of the PLWD when medically allowable after the ability to care for the animal.



When the PLWD is admitted for an outpatient Procedure:

A. When a PLWD is admitted to the Outpatient Department for testing, the SA will be allowed to accompany the PLWD whenever medically prudent.

B. At no time with hospital personnel provide care for the SA while performing their professional health related responsibilities.

C. Hospital personnel may volunteer to assist the PLWD to care for the SA during their off duty hours and at their own risk and liability.

 

 
This policy has been reviewed and accepted by the Board of Directors of Pets and People: Companions in Therapy & Service The material presented here is copyrighted and cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of Pets and People: Companions in Therapy & Service.

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