N.J. Admin. Code § 10:37G-2.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 10:37G-2.4 - Termination, transfer, and referral of patients

(a) Procedures for termination, transfer and referral of patients shall be documented in a STCF policy and shall ensure that the continuing service needs of patients are met.

(b) STCF staff shall develop a written discharge and aftercare plan for each patient. With the appropriate consent, the STCF shall assertively engage the patient's family member, other relative, a close personal friend of the patient, or any other person identified by the patient. The STCF shall assertively engage the community program in which the patient will be receiving services, in an effort to jointly develop the appropriate discharge and aftercare plan for that patient. The STCF shall document all attempts to engage the family member, other relative, a close personal friend of the patient, or any other person identified by the patient.

(c) STCF staff shall develop appropriate mechanisms to ensure linkage with other needed services if clinically appropriate, including, but not limited to, local self-help and other community support services and continuity of care for patients at time of discharge.

(d) Affiliation agreements between STCFs and the State and county psychiatric hospitals shall include criteria and procedures for:

1. STCF staff to transfer patients who meet the standard for commitment to the State or county psychiatric hospital, including compliance with the provision at 30:4-27.1 0(i) prohibiting the transfer of an STCF patient less than five days prior to the scheduled date of a commitment hearing, unless such change is dictated by a change in the person's clinical condition and requiring 24 hours advance notice of the pending transfer to the patient, his or her family and his or her attorney;

2. The determination of which patients may be transferred to other facilities prior to the STCF's average length of stay; and

3. STCF staff to obtain patient consent whenever possible and to notify the patient's family as appropriate regarding further in-patient treatment.

(e) The affiliation agreements with the State and county hospitals shall specify the respective responsibilities of both parties with regard to medical clearance and all other activities related to the transfer of a patient from STCF to the State or county psychiatric hospital, including designation of a contact person at each facility. The State or county hospital shall agree to admit patients from the STCF on a voluntary basis, if the results of a psychiatric evaluation indicate that the patient meets the standard for involuntary commitment and needs longer term care but is willing to be admitted consensually. However, STCF's shall agree to make every effort to discharge the person to appropriate voluntary outpatient services before making a referral to a State or county hospital.

(f) STCF staff shall develop and enforce a written policy which states that patients shall not be discharged solely because their insurance coverage has been discontinued or has expired.

(g) STCF shall develop and implement procedures for ensuring that the commitment documents for each patient are completed and accommodate commitment hearings as scheduled.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:37G-2.4

Amended by47 N.J.R. 1323(a), Effective 6/15/2015