2017 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 44 - Health
CHAPTER 22 - RIGHTS OF MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS
Section 44-22-60. Explanation of rights with regard to admission to facility; individualized treatment plan.

(A) Before or when admitted to a facility, a patient or his guardian or parent must be provided with an explanation, in terms and language appropriate to the person's ability to understand, of the rights of the patient while under the care of the facility.

(B) Within six hours of admission a patient must be examined by a physician or authorized health care provider. Within fourteen days of admission, a patient or his parent or guardian must be provided with a written individualized plan of treatment formulated by a multidisciplinary team and the patient's attending physician. Each patient or his parent or guardian shall participate in an appropriate manner in the planning of services. An interim treatment program based on the preadmission evaluation of the patient must be implemented promptly upon admission. An individualized treatment plan must contain:

(1) a statement of the nature and degree of the patient's mental illness or chemical dependency and his needs;

(2) if a physical examination has been conducted, the patient's physical condition;

(3) a description of intermediate and long-range treatment goals and, if possible, future available services;

(4) criteria for release to a less restrictive environment, including criteria for discharge and a description of services that may be needed after discharge;

(5) a statement as to whether or not the patient may be permitted outdoors on a daily basis and, if not, the reasons why. Treatment plans must be updated upon periodic review as provided in Section 44-22-70.

HISTORY: 1991 Act No. 127, Section 1; 1992 Act No. 279, Section 2; 2015 Act No. 32 (S.474), Section 2, eff June 1, 2015.