(1) Each minor approved by the facility
for inpatient admission shall be examined and evaluated by a
children's mental health specialist as to the child's mental
condition and by a physician or psychiatric advanced registered
nurse practitioner as to the child's physical condition within
twenty-four hours of admission. Reasonable measures shall be
taken to ensure medical treatment is provided for any condition
requiring immediate medical attention.
(2) If, after examination and evaluation, the children's
mental health specialist and the physician or psychiatric
advanced registered nurse practitioner determine that the initial
needs of the minor would be better served by placement in a
chemical dependency treatment facility, then the minor shall be
referred to an approved treatment program defined under RCW 70.96A.020.
(3) The admitting facility shall take reasonable steps to
notify immediately the minor's parent of the admission.
(4) During the initial seventy-two hour treatment period,
the minor has a right to associate or receive communications from
parents or others unless the professional person in charge
determines that such communication would be seriously detrimental
to the minor's condition or treatment and so indicates in the
minor's clinical record, and notifies the minor's parents of this
determination. In no event may the minor be denied the
opportunity to consult an attorney.
(5) If the evaluation and treatment facility admits the
minor, it may detain the minor for evaluation and treatment for a
period not to exceed seventy-two hours from the time of
provisional acceptance. The computation of such seventy-two hour
period shall exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. This
initial treatment period shall not exceed seventy-two hours
except when an application for voluntary inpatient treatment is
received or a petition for fourteen-day commitment is filed.
(6) Within twelve hours of the admission, the facility shall
advise the minor of his or her rights as set forth in this
chapter.
[2009 c 217 § 16; 1991 c 364 § 12; 1985 c 354 § 6. Formerly RCW 71.34.060.]
NOTES:
Findings -- Construction -- Conflict with federal requirements -- 1991 c 364: See notes following RCW 70.96A.020.