Date
of Last Review 10/13/08
SME: Director of Social Services
UTHCPC has developed a variety of discharge mechanisms to meet each patient's
needs.
Involuntary patients may be discharged in the following circumstances:
 | Under emergency mental health warrant status |
| At a commitment hearing |
| After a commitment hearing |
Patients under emergency mental health warrant status are discharged as follows:
| If a physician examines a patient within 24 hours and finds that the patient does not meet the criteria of the Texas Mental Health Code for inpatient commitment |
| If a patient does not receive physician examination within 24 hours and the court does not issue an Order of Protective Custody |
| If UTHCPC receives a warrant from the criminal court where criminal charges against the patient have been filed |
| If a judge at a probable cause hearing finds no basis for commitment or rules that outpatient treatment is the least restrictive alternative |
Patients are discharged at the commitment hearing as follows:
| If the Presiding Judge finds no basis for commitment or rules that outpatient treatment is the least restrictive alternative |
| If the Presiding Judge commits the patient to another inpatient facility |
| If pending criminal charges are not dropped by the time of the commitment hearing, the Presiding Judge dismisses the mental health action |
A patient is discharged after a commitment hearing as follows:
| If a physician, with the knowledge of the committing court, orders discharge of a patient committed to UTHCPC under an Order of Temporary Mental Health Services during the patient's 90 days of authorized admission |
| If the physician finds that inpatient services are no longer the least restrictive treatment but the patient requires court monitoring of outpatient care |
| If the court commitment 90 day period has expired |
Voluntary patients are discharged as follows:
| If the attending physician orders discharge |
| If the attending physician approves the Request for Release |
| If the physician transfers a patient to another hospital for medical treatment or mental health services when the other facility accepts admission |
The Administrator and Medical Director reserve the right to discharge any patient with cause.
Related to regulatory standards
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