LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  Policy 304.02 Out of County/State Transport of Mental Health Clients
 
  PROCEDURES
  1. The treating physician, a clinical staff person, Deputy Public Guardian, or the Director of a facility may initiate client transport requests.
    1. If a client is on a conservatorship in Los Angeles County, the Deputy Public Guardian must request the client transport and obtain the appropriate court order dissolving the conservatorship for Los Angeles County jurisdiction.​​​​​​
    2. Before petitioning for termination and discharge from conservatorship, The Public Guardian should obtain confirmation that the client has reached their destination.
  2. Transport request tasks will be documented by the clinician who has direct oversight of the client and shall include:
    1. Determination of the client's willingness to go to the indicated destination.
      1. Prior to scheduling transport, the transportation escort shall interview the client and make a final determination regarding his/her ability to successfully escort the client to the indicated destination.
    2. Determination of the client’s reason to be transported (e.g., residency, family proximity).
    3. Treating physician's signature of approval.
    4. Name, contact information, and details of the receiving entity to accommodate the client’s clinical evaluation or admission when the client arrives at that location.
    5. Client transportation details.
    6. Arrangements for the staff transportation escort(s).
    7. A signed statement or affidavit from the client indicating above information (B.1-B.6) as understood by the client.
    8. A prepared Discharge Summary form or narrative summary of the client's admitting diagnosis, treatment, medication, and continuing care plan.
      1. If the client is currently under conservatorship, a copy of the court order to transport.
      2. The petition shall include:
        1. Details indicating that the current treatment team is in agreement and supports a viable alternative plan.
        2. Plan for transport.
        3. Plan for housing and care.
      3. The conservatorship shall not be terminated until the client leaves the county/state and is confirmed to have safely reached their destination.
  3. In-transit
    1. The transportation escort is responsible for taking the client to the designated receiving facility or psychiatric professional person. Family members or significant others shall be instructed to meet the client at the designated receiving facility.
    2. If the client in transit refuses to follow the transportation escort's instructions, the transportation escort shall call the local police or patrol agency to request assistance. Transportation escorts are not authorized to use physical restraints on clients in transit.
    3. If the designated receiving facility will not honor its agreement to accept the arriving client, the transportation escort shall call the local police to request assistance.
    4. Efforts shall be made to ensure the receiving facility gives priority to seeing clients on arrival. It shall be made clear that, upon arrival, the client becomes the immediate responsibility of the receiving facility.
    5. The transportation escort shall give the receiving facility or clinician a copy of the transport request form, the client's agreement to be escorted, and the discharge summary and any other requested documentation.
    6. If there is a transportation escort-initiated change in the client transportation plan or the need to call for police assistance, the transportation escort shall write a report on the incident and submit it to the Program Manager within 48 hours of the employee's return to work.
    7. If an accident occurs during the client transport resulting in an injury to the client or private citizens, the transportation escort shall:
      1. Contact the Program Manager.
      2. File a written incident report consistent with DMH incident reporting procedures.
  4. All transportation escort expense claims shall be made in accordance with DMH Policy 900.01, Travel.