Hi everyone,
Does anyone know if there is a standard of care that is recognized by the psychiatric community for people who have been involuntarily hospitalized? Here in New Hampshire it seems like the level of care is determined by the number of people on a waiting list. An IEA (Involuntary Emergency Admission) was issued on February 12 and my son was taken to the local hospital and sat in the emergency room in a non-therapeutic environment for 10 days before he was transferred to the state hospital. There were 40 people on a waiting list so he just had to wait. Does anyone know of any other emergency that takes 11 days to be treated? Anyway, he was there less than 5 working days and sent home with no change in his medications and without any improvement in his condition. He was just as psychotic and delusional when he came home as when he was taken away.
I’ve been working for months trying to get the local agency to provide more intensive outpatient services to help my son. I started back in November around Thanksgiving. It took until February 12 when my son went off on a rant to a representative from the emergency services department. After hearing Mike’s paranoia, delusions, frustration and anger he initiated an IEA. That was the first one.
It took about a week after my son’s return on February 29 for in-home outpatient services to be set up. When the nurse arrived to deliver Mike’s prescriptions and have a consultation with him he was so intimidating so aggressive, out of control she was scared. I overheard the confrontation, went to my son’s room and escorted her out. Of course, He followed us right out to the door and continued his rant. Once again an IEA was issued. This time miraculously with 40 people on a waiting list for a bad at this state hospital my son was transferred in 2 days. Three days later a hearing was held and because of a technicality about the exact dates of my sons last two year conditional discharge right in front of her, the judge dismissed the case and my son was sent back home. So, this past Friday, March 18 after being home for a few days the agency made another visit. This time out of fear two nurses came to the house. After about 20 minutes basically the same thing happened my son got agitated scared the heck out of them pushed me out of the way so he could continue to talk to them… you folks know the rest.
So today Sunday March 20, my son is sitting in the local emergency room in a non-therapeutic environment, (they keep him in a small segregated room with a guard outside his door), and he’s number 21 on the waiting list. When they finally transfer him there will be another court hearing within 772 hours where a judge will decide whether my son gets medical treatment or sent home to suffer. How the hell does that make any sense?
I cannot believe this kind of treatment meets any reasonable standard. I’m ready to go nuclear on these people. I have no money, but if I can find an attorney that will take credit cards, I’ve got enough to sue somebody! This kind of treatment robs people of the ability to live a better life. It causes unnecessary suffering and harm to the patient’s that receive this inadequate treatment. I am tired of the excuses!
I also wonder if this kind of treatment doesn’t constitute a form of Medicare and Medicaid fraud. If my son were treated the way he was in November of 2013 and sent home on a conditional release money would be saved and he could live a much better life. There wasn’t a single issue or hospitalization for that two year period.
New Hampshire is so proud to be called the “live free or die” state. I always thought it was a very patriotic statement; I didn’t realize it was an ultimatum. I will never understand how a judge can overrule the opinion of a medical professional. But, here in New Hampshire the state make sure that people are free to suffer.
Once again; does anyone know if there is an established standard of care for patients with schizoaffective disorder?