N.J. Admin. Code § 8:135-1.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 8:135-1.2 - Definitions

The following words and terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"CEO" means the chief executive officer of a State psychiatric hospital.

"Division" means the Division of Behavioral Health Services, within the Department of Health.

"Department" means the Department of Health.

"Special status patient" means a patient who:

1. Is charged, or awaiting to be charged with, or convicted of, or attempt to commit, one of the following offenses:

i. Murder;

ii. Manslaughter;

iii. Sexual assault;

iv. Criminal sexual contact;

v. Robbery;

vi. Aggravated assault;

vii. Aggravated arson;

viii. Weapons offense;

ix. Kidnapping; or

x. Carjacking;

2. Has been hospitalized because the patient has been adjudicated "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity" (NGRI) or "Incompetent to Stand Trial" (IST) for one of the enumerated crimes at paragraph 1 above pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:4-1 et seq.;

i. If a patient's criminal charges have been dismissed or NGRI or IST status removed, the special status patient review committee must review the special status designation and send the designation to the Division for review to determine whether the SSPRC designation may safely be removed, unless the patient meets the standard at paragraph 3 below; or

3. Has been determined by the treatment team to be clinically appropriate for consideration under the special status patient review process because the patient's history or other factors indicate a predisposition for serious violent or other high-risk behavior.

"Special status patient review committee" or "SSPRC" means a committee within a State psychiatric hospital that reviews recommendations and determinations for special status patients.

"Treatment plan" means the plan of care that defines and delineates the comprehensive course of therapeutic and rehabilitative activities proposed for an individual patient, based upon the patient's diagnosis and inventory of strengths and weaknesses.

1. The treatment plan shall:

i. Establish short-term and long-term goals, the specific treatment modalities to be utilized, and the responsibilities of each member of the treatment team; and

ii. Include an assessment of the patient's risk of violence using an evidence-based risk assessment tool approved by the Division Medical Director.

"Treatment team" means the organized group of clinical staff who are responsible for the treatment of a specific patient who has been admitted to an adult psychiatric hospital.

1. Members of the team meet to share their expertise with one another; develop and implement treatment plans; monitor patient progress; reassess and adjust treatment plans, as needed; and plan discharge and aftercare.

2. A patient is expected, and shall be permitted, to participate in the development of the treatment plan to the extent that the patient's clinical condition permits.

3. Family members and significant others are encouraged, and shall be permitted, to participate in the treatment planning process.

4. Treatment team members shall include, at a minimum, a psychiatrist, a registered nurse, and a social worker.

5. The treatment team shall request the participation of whatever other unit or community liaison staff is necessary for the treatment and responsible discharge of the patient.

"Unit" means an area at which a hospitalized patient sleeps, receives medically and therapeutically necessary services, and is accounted for in the hospital census.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:135-1.2

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 713(a), effective 5/2/2016

Amended and recodified from 10:36-1.2 by 55 N.J.R. 2258(b), effective 11/9/2023