Voluntary vs Involuntary Admission on Psych Unit

[Dhingli]

Hey guys,

I am having difficulty understanding voluntary and involuntary admission on Psych Unit. Can somebody explain me?

Thank you!!!

[itsmejuli]

What exactly don't you understand? Have you tried researching in text book or online?

[elkpark]

What are you having trouble understanding about it? Some people choose to pursue psychiatric treatment on an inpatient unit, and sign themselves in voluntarily, the same as when people voluntarily choose to receive medical treatment in a hospital and sign a consent for treatment form as part of the admission process. Other people appear to need psychiatric treatment, but don't recognize that themselves and are unwilling to voluntarily agree to treatment. Every state (and I assume other countries have something similar) has a legal mechanism for detainiung people against their will for psychiatric evaluation. The details and procedure vary somewhat from state to state, but it typically involves the person being found to be acutely dangerous to her/hinself or others. A magistrate or some other public official authorizes the police to pick the person up and take her/him to a psychiatric unit for evaluation

[studentnursemon86]

I think it varies from state to state, especially the involuntary.

The voluntary is basically a patient signing him/herself in for psychiatric evaluation and treatment.

Involuntary varies. Usually someone has to petition for the person to be seen against their will. Usually this is used when a patient is a threat to themselves or others. This can be a family member, police officer, social worker, or doctor. This then has to be upheld by another doctor and it becomes a legal document. The court system reviews and if they want to continue treatment after the length of time has come up, or if the patient wants out of the involuntary commitment, they actually have to stand before a judge or state their case. Involuntary is also a matter of public record (like a criminal background) and could interfere with certain jobs one may want in the future.

Like I said before, it varies from state to state. This is how it is in my state for the most part.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

There is one thing I wish my pts were told before they signed voluntary; the AMA process. Most think that they came in voluntarily and should be able to sign out just as quickly. Most get so agitated when they find out that the physician has 24hrs, and not on a wknd, to evaluate and put in orders. On the weekend, it's Monday AM.

Voluntary= Pt signs paper to come in for treatment

Involuntary= Pt is a danger to himself or others, refuses to sign, they become a chapter hold (legal)

[jsaldanajrsa]

I believe it is important for the patient to know and recognize the seriousness of a voluntary admission. Maybe it should be mandatory for registration to clarify the meaning of a voluntary admission to the patient during admission procedures.