Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 82 - DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES › Chapter 82-3 › Subject 82-3-1 - ADULT CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS › Rule 82-3-1-.08 - Program Description

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
Each CSU shall have a description of services which shall clearly state the following:
1. The CSU is designed to serve as a first-line community based alternative to hospitalization, offering psychiatric stabilization and detoxification services on a short- term basis;
2. The target population is adults (eighteen (18) years or older). Individuals may also have other co-occurring diagnoses;
3. Emancipated minors may be served when the need for stabilization can be met when they do not need specialized adolescent services, and when their life circumstances demonstrate they are more appropriately served in an adult environment. Admissions to the CSU must be approved by the medical director;
4. Psychiatric stabilization and residential detox services are offered at a clinical intensity level which supports the level of care in DBHDD contracts and the DBHDD Provider Manual for Community Behavioral Health Providers;
5. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have policies and procedures for identifying and managing individuals who meet the diagnostic criteria for a Substance Dependence Disorder;
6. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have policies and procedures for providing a planned regimen of twenty-four hour professionally driven evaluation, care and treatment services for individuals who meet the diagnostic criteria for a Substance Dependence Disorder. All services offered within the CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall be provided under the direction of a physician. Consultation by a psychiatrist shall be available if the covering physician is not a psychiatrist;
7. A physician or psychiatrist shall be on call twenty-four hours a day and shall make rounds seven days a week. The physician is not required to be on site twenty-four hours a day, however the physician must respond to staff calls immediately (delay not to exceed one (1) hour);
8. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall provide emergency receiving, screening, and evaluation services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and shall have the ability to admit and discharge seven days a week;
9. The CSU and any associated CSC and/or Temp Obs shall have policies and procedures for identifying and managing individuals at high risk of suicide or intentional self- harm;
10. The functions performed by staff whose practice is regulated or licensed by the State of Georgia are within the scope allowed by state law and professional practice acts;
11. The CSU shall have a full-time position classified as a nursing administrator.
12. The CSU shall have an RN present within the CSU twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week who is the charge nurse for the CSU. For every thirty (30) CSU beds there shall be one (1) RN present at all times;
13. Staffing for the CSU shall be established based on the needs of individuals being served as follows:
a. At all times there shall be at least two (2) nursing staff present within the CSU including the charge nurse (if the charge nurse is an APRN, then he/she may not simultaneously serve as the accessible physician during the same shift);
b. The ratio of nursing staff to individuals shall not be less than 1:8 (including the charge)
c. The ratio of nursing staff to individuals shall increase on the basis of the clinical care needs of the individual, including required levels of observation for high risk individuals;
d. If a nursing staff is assigned a 1:1 support role, then he/she shall not be counted in the 1:8 ratio above;
e. Utilization of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in CSU shall be to provide technical support to the registered nurse by performing duties specified in O.C.G.A. Sec. 43-26-3
et seq.