What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania
I don't know where this question belongs. It isn't a malpractice issue, but it relates to patient rights within a psychiatric hospital.
I was voluntarily hospitalized under Section 201 for severe depression. While at the hospital, I refused medication. I had taken SSRIs and other antidepressants in the past, and they provided no noticeable benefits. The psychiatrist was persistent, even though I explained that I was stable and not in need of drug therapy. Shortly thereafter, the hospital filed a petition under Section 304c to have me involuntarily committed. I was never notified that this action was taken and found out on the day of the court hearing. I also never received a copy of the petition, which I thought was mandatory. On the paperwork itself, there is a spot for a hospital representative to sign, where he or she certifies that the patient's rights were explained. Whoever signed this document is clearly lying, because to this day, I still have not seen a copy of the 304 (and never had anyone talk to me about my rights).
After the petition was granted, I was injected involuntarily with antipsychotic medication. I do not have bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and was not unruly in any way. The staff came into my room, held me down, and injected me with a syringe. Even my own Psychiatrist could not understand why they would be giving me a neuroleptic drug. My understanding is that there is supposed to be an independent examination by a second doctor before an injection can be given. This never occurred, and I was not even informed by the doctor that I would be getting an antipsychotic. The following day, I had an EPS/dystonic reaction to the medication and had to be given two shots of Benadryl to relieve the muscle contractions.
Did they (the hospital/doctor) violate the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures? Do I have any recourse? Could I file a complaint with the the PA Department of Welfare? I feel like they disregarded patient rights, and I'd like to make sure that they don't do this in the future.
I don't know where this question belongs. It isn't a malpractice issue, but it relates to patient rights within a psychiatric hospital.
I was voluntarily hospitalized under Section 201 for severe depression. While at the hospital, I refused medication. I had taken SSRIs and other antidepressants in the past, and they provided no noticeable benefits. The psychiatrist was persistent, even though I explained that I was stable and not in need of drug therapy. Shortly thereafter, the hospital filed a petition under Section 304c to have me involuntarily committed. I was never notified that this action was taken and found out on the day of the court hearing. I also never received a copy of the petition, which I thought was mandatory. On the paperwork itself, there is a spot for a hospital representative to sign, where he or she certifies that the patient's rights were explained. Whoever signed this document is clearly lying, because to this day, I still have not seen a copy of the 304 (and never had anyone talk to me about my rights).
After the petition was granted, I was injected involuntarily with antipsychotic medication. I do not have bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and was not unruly in any way. The staff came into my room, held me down, and injected me with a syringe. Even my own Psychiatrist could not understand why they would be giving me a neuroleptic drug. My understanding is that there is supposed to be an independent examination by a second doctor before an injection can be given. This never occurred, and I was not even informed by the doctor that I would be getting an antipsychotic. The following day, I had an EPS/dystonic reaction to the medication and had to be given two shots of Benadryl to relieve the muscle contractions.
Did they (the hospital/doctor) violate the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures? Do I have any recourse? Could I file a complaint with the the PA Department of Welfare? I feel like they disregarded patient rights, and I'd like to make sure that they don't do this in the future.
