IVC but no policy

Nurses General Nursing

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So my facility has no IVC ( not suicide, but court ordered d/t drug abuse causing unintended self harm) policy to refer to as far a Nursing responsibilities etc...

I may try and get a group together to write one based on the increased number of psychiatric pts admitted to floor beds, but does anyone have any resources or EBP stuff they can point me too?

Big issues with privileges and consistency with our last IVC pt

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

An involuntary commitment is a serious legal matter. Regulations vary state by state.

The nurses role is to maintain safety and monitor for and thoroughly document any behavior that indicates a danger to themselves or others.

I did not know that a person could be involuntarily committed for substance abuse. Is the patient a minor?

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Specializes in ALF, Medical, ER.

In my ED we will sign pink commitment papers for someone who is abusing drugs or alcohol. These papers are good for 48 hours. White commitment papers are for psych issues (SI, depression, acute psychosis). These patients can be either minor or adult. White papers good for 72 hours

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An involuntary commitment is a serious legal matter. Regulations vary state by state.

The nurses role is to maintain safety and monitor for and thoroughly document any behavior that indicates a danger to themselves or others.

I did not know that a person could be involuntarily committed for substance abuse. Is the patient a minor?

Actually, not a minor. The pt was suicidal but psych took her off suicide precautions, but is going to inpatient drug rehab but IVC papers remains. I'm gonna take a closer look at them tonight

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Specializes in Critical Care.

The forms and specifics vary by state, but generally there is a difference between an involuntary "hold" and involuntary "commitment", involuntary commitment can only occur through legal proceedings.

Licensed mental health workers can place a short term hold on a patient who is determined to be a continuing suicide risk, or for patients who mental state does not allow for appropriate decision making (due to current alcohol or drug intoxication or psychosis), but I've never heard of drug abuse in general as being a legal reason to hold or commit.

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