Section 80. Illness or injury occurring during a family or trial visit

A. When a facility is notified that an individual is injured or ill and requires medical attention while on a trial or family visit, the facility director or designee shall notify the (i) facility medical director, (ii) treatment team leader, (iii) facility human rights advocate, and (iv) the CSB. The facility director shall also ensure that all events are reported in accordance with department and facility policy and protocol for risk management.

B. The facility director or designee may assist the CSB or the responsible person to identify an appropriate setting for the evaluation and treatment of the individual. The facility medical director may also consult with the physician and any other medical personnel who are evaluating or treating the individual. However, the individual shall not return to the facility until he is medically stabilized.

C. Individuals who have been admitted to a state hospital on a voluntary basis and require acute hospital admission for illness or injury while on temporary leave from the state hospital may voluntarily return to the state hospital following discharge from an acute care hospital if they continue to meet the admission criteria.

D. If an individual has been legally committed to a state facility and his length of stay in an acute care hospital exceeds the period of commitment to the state facility, the facility shall:

1. Discharge the individual in collaboration with the CSB; and

2. Notify the individual or his AR in writing of the discharge.

E. If the facility is notified that an individual has died while on temporary leave, the facility director or designee shall:

1. Notify the appropriate facility staff, including, the medical director, risk manager, treatment team leader, and human rights advocate;

2. Notify the appropriate CSB;

3. File the appropriate documentation of the death in accordance with department policies and procedures; and

4. Notify the state medical examiner in writing of the death.

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.