Section 100. Failure to return to hospitals

A. When an individual fails to return to a state hospital from any authorized day pass, family visit, or trial visit within two hours of the scheduled deadline, the facility director or designee shall contact the responsible person into whose care the individual was placed to determine the cause of the delay.

B. Upon the request of the responsible person, the facility director may extend the period of the visit for up to 72 hours beyond the time the individual was scheduled to return when:

1. An emergency or unforeseen circumstances delay the individual's return to the hospital; and

2. The individual or his AR agree to the extension.

Extensions for emergency or unforeseen circumstances shall not be granted in advance of the family visit or trial visit.

C. If an individual agrees to return to the facility, the facility director or designee may assist the individual to make arrangements for his return in collaboration with the CSB and the responsible person, when necessary.

D. If an individual is unwilling to return to the facility, the facility director or his designee shall contact the responsible person to determine whether continued hospitalization is appropriate or the individual should be discharged.

1. If there is no evidence that the individual meets the criteria for hospitalization then the facility shall discharge the individual in collaboration with the CSB.

2. If the individual has been legally committed to the hospital and the facility director determines that the individual may require further hospitalization and he currently meets commitment criteria, or that the individual cannot be located, the facility director shall:

a. Ensure that the commitment order is valid;

b. Classify the individual as a missing person;

c. Alert the CSB pursuant to the department's policies and procedures for managing of individuals who are missing from state facilities;

d. Issue a warrant for the individual's return under § 37.2-834 of the Code of Virginia; and

e. Arrange for a physical examination at the time of the individual's return to the facility.

3. If the individual is on voluntary status or the commitment order is no longer valid the facility director, after consulting with the appropriate clinical staff, shall:

a. Discharge the individual; and

b. Alert the CSB of the individual's status.

F. When it is determined that an individual who has been legally committed to the facility must be returned to the facility and the individual refuses to return on his own accord, the facility director or his designee shall:

1. Issue a warrant for the individual's return under § 37.2-834 of the Code of Virginia to the hospital; and

2. Contact the CSB upon revocation of the trial visit.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 23, Issue 21, eff. July 25, 2007.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-837 of the Code of Virginia.