Transfer of Patients to State Facilities

Introduction

Date of Last Review: 3/22/07
SME: Associate Director of Nursing

A fundamental concept in mental health care is that the patient has a right to humane treatment, which preserves both his/her dignity and safety. This concept is especially true during transport when a potential for community exposure and accidents exists.

Who Informs the family

One of the following informs the patient and his/her appropriate family members of the possibility of transfer to a State hospital:

The physician

A social worker

Other designated member of the treatment team

When to inform the family

The patient and his/her family are informed of the transfer in the following situations:

When it becomes evident that a possibility of transfer exists

When the physician recommends to the court that the patient must be committed or moved to a State facility

When the court designates that the patient must be transferred

Day before transfer

This table describes the process of preparing the patient for transfer the day before:

Stage	Person Responsible	Description
1	Nursing staff	Brings the patient to the Patient Registration office with his/her belongings
2	The patient	Signs for any valuables being transported
3	Nursing	Faxes the following to the Rusk Admission office at 903-683-7898: Discharge summary to the state facility History and physical Copy of commitment order Face sheet with pertinent demographic, admission, guardianship, and emergency contact information
4	Attending MD or Resident	The UTHCPC physician calls the Rusk Administrative Technician at 903-683-7320 The Administrative Technician transfers the call to the: Internist on call if the patient has medical problems Psychiatrist on call if the patient's problems are only psychiatric
5	Nursing staff	Completes Memorandum of Transfer (MOT) Submits: the white copy of the discharge summary, and the completed MOT form to the 3-11 nursing supervisor for review, and returns to the unit by the 11-7 supervisor
6	Nursing Supervisor	Submits MOT to Patient Registration office
7	Patient Registration	Moves the patient's personal belongings to the dock area to be secured in the Valuables Cage

Day of transfer

This table describes the process of preparing the patient for transfer the day of transfer:

Stage	Person Responsible	Description
1	Nursing staff	Notifies Security prior to taking patient's property to the dock area Bags, labels, and takes any remaining personal belongings to the dock area, and places them on top of the Valuables Cage Awakes the patient at 4:00 a.m. to be assessed, eat, and take medication Arrives with the patient in the emergency room at 5:45 a.m. Gives copies of the discharge summary, MOT, labs, and medications to the nursing supervisor
2	Staff/nurse supervisor/patient	Move to the dock area
3	Nursing supervisor	Gives copies of the discharge summary, MOT, labs, and medications to the constables Gives the constables a verbal report of any potentially problematic patients
4	Staff	Transfers the patient to the vehicle using at least 1:1 patient/staff ratio
5	Nursing staff	Takes the hard back chart to Health Information Management Department

Patient belongings

The process involving the cashier, his/her handling of the patient's belongings and the faxing of patient records occur on Friday when the scheduled trip is Monday.

Patient arriving at UTHCPC for transfer

Patients arriving from other facilities for transport to Rusk State Hospital are transferred directly to the constables. UTHCPC personnel should not be involved in this process.

Forms

Memorandum of Transfer (MOT)
Request for Patient Transfer to a State Facility

Related standards

Related to regulatory standards

If you have questions regarding the content of this site please contact the Policy and Procedure Committee. If you experience any technical problems please contact the MIS Department.