Title 37, Chapter 3, Section 162
( 37-3-162)
(a) Each patient in a facility and each person receiving services
for mental illness shall receive care and treatment that is suited
to his needs and is the least restrictive appropriate care and
treatment. Such care and treatment shall be administered
skillfully, safely, and humanely with full respect for the patient's
dignity and personal integrity. (b) Each patient shall have the right to participate in his care and
treatment. The board shall issue regulations to ensure that each
patient participates in his care and treatment to the maximum extent
possible. Unless the disclosure to the patient is determined by the
chief medical officer or the patient's treating physician or
psychologist to be detrimental to the physical or mental health of
the patient, and unless a notation to that effect is made a part of
the patient's record, the patient shall have the right to reasonable
access to review his medical file, to be told his diagnosis, to be
consulted on the treatment recommendation, and to be fully informed
concerning his medication, including its side effects and available
treatment alternatives. (c) It is the duty of the chief medical officer to ensure that each
patient receives such medical attention as is suitable to his
condition and that no treatment shall be given which is not
recognized as standard psychiatric treatment, except upon the
written consent of the patient or, if applicable, his guardian
having capacity to give such consent. If such consent is given by
someone other than the patient or such guardian, court approval must
be obtained after a full and fair hearing. (d) If a patient hospitalized under this chapter is able to secure
the services of a private physician or psychologist, he shall be
allowed to see his physician or psychologist at any reasonable time.
The chief medical officer is authorized and directed to establish
regulations designed to facilitate examination and treatment which a
patient may request from such private physician or psychologist. (e) Every patient admitted to a facility under this chapter shall be
examined by the staff of the admitting facility as soon as possible
after his admission. |