Psychiatry Admission Protocol

• Voluntary
• Involuntary
• ​FD 12
• Police Custody

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All psychiatric admissions must be medically cleared, per physician discretion.

1. Call Psychiatry On-Call
2. Once accepted, place admission request order

All psychiatric admissions must be medically cleared, per physician discretion.
If patients is deemed a threat to self or others, the evaluating physician may place the patient in involuntary psychiatric admission, FD-12

1. Call DC Mobile Crisis Services [MCS] for FD-12 Evaluation                  (202)-673-9319
2. ​Children and Adolescent  Mobile Psychiatric Services [ChAMPS]    (202)-481-1450

​If a patient arrives already under FD-12 (authorized by EMS, Police, CPEP)...
All psychiatric admissions must be medically cleared, per physician discretion.

1. Call Psychiatry On-Call
2. Once accepted, place admission request order

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In regards to all patients with an active arrest warrant and/or under police custody, the Emergency Physician's only duty is to medically evaluate the patient. This duty is irrespective of FD-12 status.

1. Evaluate the patient under custody for medical illness
2. Once patient has been medically cleared, discharge the patient under police custody, as per normal ED discharge protocol

NOTE: It is the duty of the judiciary system to facilitate psychiatric evaluation and treatment for all patients under police custody. All prisons are equipped with Mental Health Services and have designated psychiatrists for mental health needs.

We recommend that all ED Physicians document that following in 313 forms:
"Patient requires emergent psychiatric evaluation for suicidality and/or homicidality and that they be placed under direct observation (suicide watch/precautions) while in custody until the patient can be assessed by a mental health professional."