§ 44-17-460 — Examinations prior to emergency admissions to psychiatric facilities.

South Carolina § 44-17-460

• Jurisdiction: South Carolina
• Title 44: HEALTH
• Ch. 17: CARE AND COMMITMENT OF MENTALLY ILL PERSONS

Text

Prior to the emergency admission of any person to a psychiatric facility of the Office of Mental Health, the person must be examined by a licensed physician. The physician must inform the mental health center in the county where the person resides or where the examination takes place of the mental and physical treatment needs of the patient. The physician must consult with the center regarding the commitment/admission process and the available treatment options and alternatives in lieu of hospitalization at a state psychiatric facility. The examining physician must complete a statement that he has consulted with the local mental health center prior to the admission of the person to a state psychiatric facility. If the physician does not consult with the center, he must state a clinical reason for his failure to do so. The statement must accompany the physician's certificate and written application for emergency commitment. The Office of Mental Health, in its discretion, may refuse to admit a patient to its facility if the physician fails to complete the statement required by this section.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 397, SECTION 2. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18. ARTICLE 7 Procedures for Judicial Commitment