Medical Malpractice

Can I be held longer than 72 hrs in the behavior clinic at my local hospital if I had checked myself in?

I have checked myself into the mental health/ behavior section of a local hospital because I hurt myself and I know that they can hold me for 72 hrs. Because I checked myself in can they still hold me for more than the 72 hr period? During this time I have scheduled an appointment for a psychiatrist and two councellors and Im receiving medication for nerves and depression. Im unsure how the laws are here in Ohio do I need more than the doctors ok?

Public Comments

1. No not voluntary but they can change that to involuntary then they can keep you as long as you are a threat to yourself or others
2. Not sure on the specific laws in Ohio but in most places yes they can. IF you checked yourself in for any reason which is not because you tried or did hurt yourself, or tried to or threatened to commit suicide then that is a different story. I am a medic in GA. If I pick up a patient that expresses that he/she wants to hurt them self then I am legally obligated to act. I can not let that patient go even if they recant there statement. It sounds like the time of 72 hrs is the time in which the state has to determine whether you are a threat to your self or others. It use to be that the process could take months and patients that were ok were waiting a long period of time to be seen. Now most states give a time period in which a patient has to be evaluated. My guess is that because you tried to hurt yourself they have the legal authority to hold you for up to 72hrs or until you can be properly evaluated.
3. YES!!!! THEY will decide whether u can go and whether how long u can stay. I volunteerly did that, and they made me stay until they thought i was better.
4. If you checked yourself in then work with them.
5. If you're judged still a danger to yourself, you can be held, but it's unlikely that would happen since you had enough control to sign yourself in. This assumes you didn't have significant coercion to sign yourself in.
6. They obviously changed this to an involuntary 3 day commitment. So no, you cant leave. If they determine you need to stay, it can be extended to ten. There is a limit to this before a judge needs to get involved. Let's hope it doesnt get that far.
7. if the Doctor feels as though you are a threat to yourself or others they will involuntarily commit you as an act of personal and public safety.. You can be held longer than the 72 hour observation period even if you check yourself in.