Restraint

Mr. Roland Jones, a patient of Dr. Reed Simon, has a history of mental illness. Mr. Jones is taking Depakote®, a medication for bipolar patients, but was hospitalized because he has been having increased symptoms of hallucinations and convulsions. Mr. Jones has no known family in the local area, and insists on going home because he is “afraid of these nurses.” Dr. Simon refused to release the patient, so Mr. Jones sneaked out of the hospital. He was found approximately 3 hours later near the side of the road (approximately 2 miles from the hospital) and was non-responsive.

Please discuss the following:

1. What responsibilities and liabilities does the hospital have? Dr. Simon? Any other healthcare professionals involved?
2. What options did the facility have in terms of ensuring Mr. Jones wasn’t able to physically leave the facility?
3. Should a medical facility have the ability, under the law, to keep a person against their will?
4. If so, what criteria should be used? Who decides whether patients fit these criteria?
5. Now, that Mr. Jones has been found, please discuss how you as the administrator of this facility will respond to this incident and what measures will be put in place to avoid such an undesirable outcome.

Charitable Facilities

When you hear the term taxation, you might assume it is a concern for accountants, but it is also a concern for health administrators today.

When shifting the discussion from patient-centered issues to the facility, you must understand that facilities must operate under state laws, and it is those state laws that give the enterprise the authority to exist. As such, when a facility declares that the nature of the facility is “charitable” the state has an interest in ensuring the facility is meeting its obligation under this status. The enormous advantages and tax benefits such institutions gain in being termed such is the reason for this degree of interest.

please look to your community and find at least two charitable hospitals and compare the two using information you can find through the internet:

• What was it about these facilities that compelled you to share them with the class?
• Does the community view the facility as charitable?
• Does the facility rise to the status of charitable?