CHAPTER 34
ALTERNATIVE DIAGNOSTIC FACILITIES
[Prior to 8/18/82, Mental Health Advisory Council[566] Ch 2]
[Prior to 7/1/83, Social Services[770] Ch 34]
[Prior to 2/11/87, Human Services[498]]
441—34.1(225C) Definitions. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions shall apply to the specific terms used in these rules:
“Alternative diagnostic facility” means any organization or individual designated by the county board of supervisors to implement the preliminary diagnostic evaluation policy (Iowa Code section 225C.14) when a county is not served by a community mental health center capable of the diagnostic evaluations. An alternative diagnostic facility may be the outpatient service of a state mental health institute or any organization or individual able to furnish the requisite skills and to meet the standards set forth in this chapter by the mental health and mental retardation commission.
“Mental health professional” means a person who:
	1.	Holds at least a master’s degree in a mental health field, including, but not limited to, psychology, counseling and guidance, nursing and social work; or is a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine and surgery (D.O.); and
	2.	Holds a current Iowa license when required by Iowa licensure law; and
	3.	Has at least two years of postdegree experience, supervised by a mental health professional, in assessing mental health problems and needs of individuals and in providing appropriate mental health services for those individuals.
“Preliminary diagnostic evaluation” means an assessment of a person’s mental health problems and needs in order to determine the most appropriate service for the person. The evaluation includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the individual’s needs, abilities, disabilities, and relevant environmental factors. Where possible, there is collaboration with the individual’s family or significant others as appropriate.
441—34.2(225C) Function. An alternative diagnostic facility shall:
	34.2(1) Perform a preliminary diagnostic evaluation of a person who is being considered for admission to a state mental health institute on a voluntary basis pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 229 in order to:
	a. 	Confirm that admission of the person to a state mental health institute is appropriate to the person’s mental health needs, and that no suitable alternative method of providing the needed services in a less restrictive setting, in or nearer to the person’s home community, is currently available. When results of the evaluation indicate that admission to the mental health institute is appropriate, the evaluator shall inform the institute of the results.
	b. 	Confirm that admission to a state mental health institute is not appropriate to the person’s mental health needs. When results of the evaluation indicate that a treatment program, other than that of a state mental health institute, is more appropriate, and the individual agrees, the evaluator shall make arrangements with the alternative program to accept the referral.
	34.2(2) Assist the court and, insofar as possible, provide or designate a physician to perform a prehearing examination of a respondent required under Iowa Code section 229.8, subsection 3, paragraph “b.”
441—34.3(225C) Standards. In order to be designated as an alternative diagnostic facility, a facility shall meet the following standards:
	34.3(1) The facility shall have clearly defined lines of authority and accountability so that a contractual agreement may be entered into with a county for the provision of preliminary diagnostic evaluations.
	34.3(2) The preliminary diagnostic evaluation shall be performed by a mental health professional within a reasonable time frame, not to exceed 48 hours.
	34.3(3) The mental health professional shall be familiar with the mental health institute serving the area and with the treatment resources of the community served.
	34.3(4) The facility shall have written procedures for timely reporting of results of evaluations to the selected treatment resource.
	34.3(5) The facility shall have written policies and procedures to safeguard the consumer’s right to treatment, confidentiality, and freedom of choice. The policies and procedures shall be in conformance with federal and state laws and rules.
	34.3(6) The facility shall have written procedures for fees for services.
	34.3(7) The facility shall comply with procedures for uniform reporting of statistical data as established by the division of mental health, mental retardation, and developmental disabilities.
	34.3(8) The facility shall comply with the standards for the maintenance and operation of public and private facilities offering services to mentally ill persons as adopted by the mental health and mental retardation commission.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 225C.4 and 225C.17.
[Filed 9/26/80, Notices 3/19/80, 8/6/80—published 10/15/80, effective 11/19/80]1
[Filed emergency 7/22/82—published 8/18/82, effective 7/22/82]
[Filed 12/17/82, Notice 10/13/82—published 1/5/83, effective 2/9/83]
[Filed emergency 2/10/84—published 2/29/84, effective 2/10/84]
[Filed emergency 1/15/87—published 2/11/87, effective 1/15/87]
1	As Agency 566—Chapter 2