To return to the community as soon as possible and to have a Treatment Team assigned to you to achieve that goal.

Your first 7 days will consist of:

• You will meet with your nurse, psychiatrist, medical physician, psychologist, social worker, rehabilitation therapist and dietitian.
• You will be asked questions concerning your mental and physical health, living arrangements, financial entitlements, your interests, food preferences, allergies, family members you would like to have involved in your care (consent form must be signed) and religious and cultural preferences. All of the information you provide can help your team understand you and help you achieve your goals.
• You will receive a complete physical and psychiatric examination.
• A treatment plan will be written to meet your individual care needs.
• Your treatment team prescribes therapies for you to meet your short and long term treatment goals. The members of the treatment team will meet with you as often as needed, with a team meeting to be held once a week for the first eight weeks. Your progress will be documented, and you and your team will make recommendations regarding your progress, treatment and discharge needs.
• Your psychiatrist and medical doctor will prescribe all necessary medications. These medications will be supplied by the hospital pharmacy and dispensed by nursing at the appropriate times.

As a patient of Essex County Hospital Center, you are entitled to certain rights.

To request a summary of the current New Jersey laws and regulations governing the rights of hospital patients, please see your nurse or patient representative 973-571-2841.

For complete information, consult the New Jersey Department of Health Regulations N.J.A.C 8:43G-4.1 or Public Law 1989 – Chapter 170. 

Link to Public Law 1989, chapter 170 is on page 74 of volume 2 (Acts of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey (1989))

While every patient has the right to receive quality, professional treatment, he or she also has responsibilities. The Hospital has a set of rules that must be followed. It is important to follow the directions of the hospital staff particularly during evacuation orders and/or fire drills.

Patients are admitted to the Hospital Center on the basis of need with a legal status of voluntary or committed.

VOLUNTARY:

This is a person who seeks psychiatric treatment on his or her own and comes to the hospital voluntarily. This individual may request to be discharged by submitting a 48-hour written notice. Based on the patient’s immediate mental health needs, the treating Psychiatrist will determine whether to honor the 48-hour notice or to commit the patient. If discharge is approved, staff will prepare discharge papers and follow up care instructions. If committed, a court hearing will be held within 21 days.

COMMITMENT:

This is a patient who is ordered by the court to receive extended care in a hospital setting. This individual would have been screened and evaluated by two New Jersey licensed physicians and has a court order mandating commitment.

—————————-

There are many agencies in Essex County that provide legal services. You are free to exercise your right to legal representation at any time. For many patients, these services are free of charge.

All Involuntary and Court Order Committed Patients are provided legal representation by the Office of The Public Defender to ensure that rights are protected. They can be reached at 973-648-3847.

You start at Level I and move to higher levels with more independence as you meet treatment goals, until discharge.

Level I (1): Programs are provided on unit.

Level II (2): Programs are provided on and off unit.

Level III (3): Programs are provided on and off unit Brief home visits are permitted at this level.

Level IV (4): Programs are provided on and off unit or off grounds. Overnight visits are permitted.