Involuntary Psych Ward Commitment

[SugarBabe99]

Not sure if this is exactly the right forum for this, but if you were involuntary committed to a psych ward, can that affect your chances of getting licensed/obtaining employment? Some people were telling me that if you were involuntarily committed to a psych ward, it can show up in a background check and affect your chances of employment. This doesn't seem right to me, I was under the impression that HIPAA and patient-doctor confidentiality prevents any sort of medical information from being leaked, but they were saying it's an exception when it's related to mental health and government-mandated psychiatric ward stays.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

I think someone above mentioned Texas' standards. I thought I remembered seeing something about that. See, the think is, your medical records are protected from being disclosed willy-nilly. However, some State Boards require you to disclose certain conditions that they feel could endanger the public. They do not automatically disqualify you from practicing or obtaining a license, but may require you to provide evidence that the situation is under control. Here's what we have to sign every two years when we renew in Texas:

• *Within the past five (5) years have you been diagnosed with, treated, or hospitalized for schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder? (You may answer "No" if you have completed and/or are in compliance with TPAPN for mental illness OR you've previously disclosed to the Texas Board of Nursing and have remained compliant with your treatment regime and have had no further hospitalization since disclosure.)
  
• *In the past 5 years, have you been addicted or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug? (You may answer "No" if you have completed and/or are in compliance with TPAPN.
  

So check your State's BON site and your personal medical records. It appears that if you were in Texas you would only be required to disclose anything if you had one of the above diagnoses: schizophrenic, paranoid, antisocial, BPD or drug and/or alcohol addiction or treatment. It doesn't address anything about involuntary commitment. You might be in the clear.

Best of luck and take care of yourself!