1
PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES
NRNP 6675 WEEK:PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES
Week 8: Psychiatric Emergencies
College of Nursing-PMHNP, Walden University
NRNP 6675: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II
, 2
PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain Texas state laws for involuntary psychiatric holds
for child and adult psychiatric emergencies, explain the differences among emergency
hospitalization for evaluation/psychiatric hold, inpatient commitment, and outpatient
commitment in the state, and to explain the difference between capacity and competency in
mental health contexts. It also explains one legal issue and one ethical issue related to the HIPAA
privacy rule and identifies one evidence-based suicide risk assessment and one evidence-based
violence risk assessment that could be used to screen patients.
Texas State Laws for Involuntary Psychiatric Holds
Many patients with mental illness do not realize that they are ill or understand the
severity of their condition. These patients, on many occasions, decline care. Family and friends
who see the need for assistance may step in, and the patient may have to be admitted
involuntarily. Involuntarilyadmission requires the involvement of the legal system. In Texas, the
law provides a process known as involuntary commitment. This allows psychiatric patients can
be admitted to healthcare facilities against their will. The magistrate has to issue a mental health
warrant. The sheriff's office can then detain the patient and transport them to a healthcare facility
for evaluation and treatment. Upon assessment, the psychiatrist must provide a medical
certificate to the court. The certificate serves as proof that the patient has the potential to self-
harm or harm others. The court then issues an order of protective custody (OPC). Within 72
hours, the judge must hold a probable cause hearing where a determination will be made whether
the facility can hold or release the patient while they wait for a mental health hearing which must
be held within two weeks. In the case of a minor (18 years or younger) who has never been
PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES
NRNP 6675 WEEK:PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES
Week 8: Psychiatric Emergencies
College of Nursing-PMHNP, Walden University
NRNP 6675: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II
, 2
PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain Texas state laws for involuntary psychiatric holds
for child and adult psychiatric emergencies, explain the differences among emergency
hospitalization for evaluation/psychiatric hold, inpatient commitment, and outpatient
commitment in the state, and to explain the difference between capacity and competency in
mental health contexts. It also explains one legal issue and one ethical issue related to the HIPAA
privacy rule and identifies one evidence-based suicide risk assessment and one evidence-based
violence risk assessment that could be used to screen patients.
Texas State Laws for Involuntary Psychiatric Holds
Many patients with mental illness do not realize that they are ill or understand the
severity of their condition. These patients, on many occasions, decline care. Family and friends
who see the need for assistance may step in, and the patient may have to be admitted
involuntarily. Involuntarilyadmission requires the involvement of the legal system. In Texas, the
law provides a process known as involuntary commitment. This allows psychiatric patients can
be admitted to healthcare facilities against their will. The magistrate has to issue a mental health
warrant. The sheriff's office can then detain the patient and transport them to a healthcare facility
for evaluation and treatment. Upon assessment, the psychiatrist must provide a medical
certificate to the court. The certificate serves as proof that the patient has the potential to self-
harm or harm others. The court then issues an order of protective custody (OPC). Within 72
hours, the judge must hold a probable cause hearing where a determination will be made whether
the facility can hold or release the patient while they wait for a mental health hearing which must
be held within two weeks. In the case of a minor (18 years or younger) who has never been
