D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-A512
Medical restraints may be used to administer medical or surgical treatment to an uncooperative consumer, if:
The MH provider shall document in the consumer's clinical record that all attempts to gain the consumer's cooperation through less restrictive means have failed, or that making such attempts would delay the necessary emergency treatment and further jeopardize the consumer's life and safety.
The documentation in the consumer's clinical record shall also describe the circumstances that give rise to the medical emergency, as well as the reasons why restraints are deemed necessary to administer the needed treatment.
In the event the consumer is a minor or an adult with a legal guardian, the parent or guardian's consent shall be obtained if possible. If the parent or guardian is not available, the MH provider shall document all attempts to gain the parent's or guardian's consent, or that making such attempts would delay the necessary emergency treatment and further jeopardize the consumer's life and safety.
The least restrictive and most comfortable restraints available shall be used as necessary to accomplish the emergency medical or surgical procedure. The restraints may only be applied for the duration of the procedure and then shall be removed.
The use of restraints to perform routine medical procedures, such as phlebotomy, urine screen, or x-ray is prohibited, unless informed consent to the restraint is obtained from the consumer or the consumer's surrogate healthcare decision- maker pursuant to 22A DCMR, Chapter 1. The consent shall be in writing and placed into the consumer's clinical record for each procedure.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-A512