How is the term “Mental Illness” defined in Florida? Please read the following quotation from the form, Report of Law Enforcement Officer Initiating Involuntary Examination: “Mental illness” means an impairment of the mental or emotional processes that exercise conscious control of one’s actions or of the ability to perceive or understand reality, which impairment substantially …
Who Can Initiate a Baker Act? Which form should be used? A Baker Act can be completed by a number of different professionals. There are two versions of the form. One form is to be used by medical and mental health providers (“Professionals”) and the other is to be used by law enforcement. To identify …
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! For all the staff that is working this holiday, be safe and remember that your tireless devotion and care does not go unnoticed. Thank you!
Welcome to week 2 of Anatomy of a Baker Act. This week, we will clarify the difference between a Voluntary Admission and Involuntary Admission, as this is often misunderstood by consumers and healthcare providers who do not work in the mental health field. Firstly, let’s look at the process for Voluntary Evaluation or Admission : …
Greetings, readers! Ever wondered what a Florida Baker Act form looks like? (This is the form which mandates an individual to be examined by a mental health provider involuntarily). Over the next few weeks, I will be reviewing interesting facts about Baker Acts and their importance when providing patient care. Today, we will look at …
Many facilities only allow patients to wear paper clothing which is provided to patients upon arrival, along with facility approved personal care items which are kept locked in the nurses’ station when not being used. The safety of each patient, staff member, and visitor is priority. Some low acuity or long-term facilities are more flexible; …
Personal Belongings on Mental Health Units: What Can Patients Take with Them? Read More »
One of the running questions nurses are asked is why we have chosen this profession. For many of us, maybe even most of us, the answer is that it wasn’t a profession we chose, but a profession that chose us. While in nursing school, I remember hearing other students’ stories about why they wanted to …
Welcome to our final week! This post will wrap up our series by sharing common forms which are included in mental health records. This applies to adults being treated in acute inpatient mental health units (crisis stabilization/Baker Act receiving facilities). Admission Form: Voluntary Admission Form (signed by patient) or Involuntary Admission Form Baker Act (completed …
Final Week: Education for Legal Professionals Regarding Mental Health Records in Florida Read More »
Week 5 of Educational Series on Mental Health Records in Florida: Request for Discharge verses Habeas Corpus When either an emancipated minor or adult patient in a mental health facility in Florida desires to be discharged, there are 2 options for them, depending upon their admission/commitment status. For voluntarily admitted patients, a “Request for Discharge” …
When a person expresses intent to harm someone, mental health providers are required to notify the intended victim(s). This requires the disclosure of this information to the person at risk. This does not, however, allow providers to disclose other information, such as the patient’s diagnosis or treatment; the patient still has rights to privacy …
Week 4 of Educational Series on Mental Health in Florida: Understanding the Duty to Warn Read More »