Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 82 - DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Chapter 82-3
Subject 82-3-1 - ADULT CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS
Rule 82-3-1-.08 - Program Description

1. The CSU is designed to serve as a first-line community based alternative to hospitalization, offering psychiatric stabilization and detoxification services on a short- term basis;

2. The target population is adults (eighteen (18) years or older). Individuals may also have other co-occurring diagnoses;

3. Emancipated minors may be served when the need for stabilization can be met when they do not need specialized adolescent services, and when their life circumstances demonstrate they are more appropriately served in an adult environment. Admissions to the CSU must be approved by the medical director;

4. Psychiatric stabilization and residential detox services are offered at a clinical intensity level which supports the level of care in DBHDD contracts and the DBHDD Provider Manual for Community Behavioral Health Providers;

5. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have policies and procedures for identifying and managing individuals who meet the diagnostic criteria for a Substance Dependence Disorder;

6. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have policies and procedures for providing a planned regimen of twenty-four hour professionally driven evaluation, care and treatment services for individuals who meet the diagnostic criteria for a Substance Dependence Disorder. All services offered within the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be provided under the direction of a physician. Consultation by a psychiatrist shall be available if the covering physician is not a psychiatrist;

7. A physician or psychiatrist shall be on call twenty-four hours a day and shall make rounds seven days a week. The physician is not required to be on site twenty-four hours a day, however the physician must respond to staff calls immediately (delay not to exceed one (1) hour);

8. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall provide emergency receiving, screening, and evaluation services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and shall have the ability to admit and discharge seven days a week;

9. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have policies and procedures for identifying and managing individuals at high risk of suicide or intentional self- harm;

10. The functions performed by staff whose practice is regulated or licensed by the State of Georgia are within the scope allowed by state law and professional practice acts;

11. The CSU shall have a full-time position classified as a nursing administrator.

12. The CSU shall have an RN present within the CSU twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week who is the charge nurse for the CSU. For every thirty (30) CSU beds there shall be one (1) RN present at all times;

13. Staffing for the CSU shall be established based on the needs of individuals being served as follows:

14. Program offerings for the CSU shall be designed to meet the biopsychosocial stabilization needs of each individual, and the therapeutic content of the program (group therapy/training, individual therapy/training, education support, etc.) shall be annually approved by a licensed/certified clinician. This content is captured in a master file which will have the licensed clinician's approval, signature and date of review;

15. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have protocols with respect to stabilization and transfer of individuals to a different level of care. The treating physician shall make the determination as to the time and manner of transfer to ensure no further deterioration of the individual during the transfer between facilities, and shall specify the benefits expected from the transfer in the individual's record;

16. The CSU shall designate a specific number of beds which may be used as a crisis bed or as a transitional bed with Department approval;

17. A physician must write an order for the individual's change in status from CSU crisis status to transition status. The CSU must record the date of transfer and the length of stay in the transitional bed for each episode of care.