Patients admitted to our psychiatric unit are evaluated in various ways:
Emergency Room/Department (ER/ED) admissions require an evaluation from
a Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Evaluation Team (PET) or other LPS-designated
professional that can assess for medical necessity.
Medical necessity for a behavioral health locked unit requires criteria
that meets standards for Danger to Self, Danger to Others and/or Grave
Disability. If an evaluation of a patient meets one or more criteria,
the patient will be transported to the Behavioral Medicine Center (BMC)
on a psychiatric hold, otherwise known as a 5150.
If a patient comes to the San Gabriel Valley medical Center Emergency Department
voluntarily and report symptoms that trigger a personal response for care,
they can presumably admit themselves on a voluntary basis. All of our
patients transition to us from the emergency department.
Other hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term
care facilities may call our intake coordinator or charge nurse on duty
as well. When a situation arises that necessitates an evaluation, our
intake coordinator on duty can be reached Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
at 626-300-7308. After hours, a Charge Nurse can initiate the process
at 626-300-7300.
The initial phone call will be met with questions that will provide clarity
to our team for requirement to evaluate. From this point, we will send
our psychiatric evaluation team to the location required for evaluation
and if the presumed patient meets criteria for our unit, they will be
transported by ambulance for care.
If you are at home and have concerns a loved one might be in need of this
level of support, you may call these numbers for assistance and direction.
Additionally you may always bring a loved one to any hospital for evaluation
for appropriateness for a psychiatric stay.
If you believe your life or the life of someone else is in danger, immediately
call 911.