Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-5-7 - HOSPITALS
Section 420-5-7-.26 - Psychiatric Hospitals

1. The identification data shall include the circumstances under which the patient was admitted and/or is being treated - i.e., voluntary, involuntary, committed by court, evaluation and recertification.

2. A provisional or admitting diagnosis shall be made on every patient at the time of admission, and shall include the diagnoses of intercurrent diseases as well as the psychiatric diagnoses.

3. The reasons for admission shall be clearly documented as stated by the patient and/or others significantly involved.

4. The social service records, including reports of interviews with patients, family members, and others, shall provide an assessment of home plans and family attitudes, and community resource contacts as well as a social history.

5. When indicated, a complete neurological examination shall be recorded at the time of the admission physical examination.

1. Be completed within 60 hours of admission;

2. Include a medical history;

3. Contain a record of mental status;

4. Note the onset of illness and the circumstances leading to admission;

5. Describe attitudes and behavior;

6. Estimate intellectual functioning, memory functioning, and orientation; and

7. Include an inventory of the patient's assets in descriptive, not interpretative, fashion.

1. Each patient shall have an individual comprehensive treatment plan that shall be based on an inventory of the patient's strengths and disabilities.

1. Evaluate patients;

2. Formulate written individualized, comprehensive treatment plans;

3. Provide active treatment measures; and

4. Engage in discharge planning.

1. The clinical director, service chief, or equivalent, shall meet the training and experience requirements for examination by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry.

2. The director shall monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of services and treatment provided by the medical staff.

1. The director of psychiatric nursing services shall be a registered nurse with an active, unencumbered Alabama license who has a master's degree in psychiatric or mental health nursing, or its equivalent, from a school of nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the National League for Nursing, or be qualified by education and experience in the care of the mentally ill. The director shall demonstrate competence to participate in interdisciplinary formulation of individual treatment plans; to give skilled nursing care and therapy; and to direct, monitor, and evaluate the nursing care furnished.

2. The staffing pattern shall insure the availability of a registered professional nurse 24 hours each day. There shall be adequate numbers of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and mental health workers to provide the nursing care necessary under each patient's active treatment program.

1. The director of the social work department or service shall have a master's degree from an accredited school of social work or shall be qualified by education and experience in the social services needs of the mentally ill. If the director does not hold a masters degree in social work, at least one staff member shall have this qualification.

2. Social service staff responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, participating in discharge planning, arranging for follow-up care, and developing mechanisms for exchange of appropriate, information with sources outside the hospital.

1. The program shall be appropriate to the needs and interests of patients and be directed toward restoring and maintaining optimal levels of physical and psychosocial functioning.

2. The number of qualified therapists, support personnel, and consultants shall be adequate to provide comprehensive therapeutic activities consistent with each patient's active treatment program.