La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § III-521

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section III-521 - Referrals

A. The center or clinic shall refer patients under its care to other resources when the patient has special needs the center cannot provide for or when another resource may be able to provide for those needs more adequately.

B. Referral policies shall be stated in writing, reviewed at least annually, and signed and dated by the reviewer(s). Referrals for clinical services shall be made only to appropriately licensed, certified, or accredited facilities or clinicians. Staff shall have current first-hand knowledge of resources used for referral purposes.

C. The patient and family, to the extent appropriate, shall participate in the referral process. Staff shall discuss with them the nature of the referral, its intent, and what it will involve. The reactions of the patient and family shall be explored and dealt with. The compatibility of any referral effort with the overall plan of treatment shall be considered. Provision shall be made for minimizing any negative effects that may be anticipated for the patient or family, and, to the extent feasible, there shall be continuity in the patient's program of treatment and care.

D. When persons who are not patients of the center or clinic seek services which the facility is not in a position to provide, the facility shall assist in referral to another resource. The facility shall work with other agencies to foster the development of an appropriate spectrum of services within the community, as well as a community referral system. When permanently transferring a patient to another facility, adequate reports shall be made available to that facility after appropriate releases are obtained.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § III-521

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Mental Health, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with PL 94 :63, the Community Mental Health Centers' Act of 1975 and R.S. 1950, Title 28, §203.