§ 37-3-21. Discharge of Voluntary Patients Upon Recovery or Termination of Need for Hospitalization; Notice of Discharge
The chief medical officer of the facility shall discharge any voluntary patient who has recovered from his mental illness or who has sufficiently improved that the chief medical officer determines, after consideration of the recommendations of the treatment team, that hospitalization of the patient is no longer necessary, provided that in no event shall any […]
§ 37-2-43. Immunity From Civil and Criminal Liability for Filing Complaint; Ombudsman’s Immunity for Actions Related to Discharge of Duties
Any person who makes a complaint or provides information relating to a complaint as authorized in this article shall incur no civil or criminal liability therefor unless such complaint or information is false and the person making such complaint or providing such information knew or had reason to believe that it was false. The ombudsman […]
§ 37-3-22. Right of Voluntary Patient to Discharge Upon Application; Exception; Procedure on Denial of Application for Discharge; Notice of Discharge
A voluntary patient, other than a minor child for whom admission has been sought by his parents or guardian, who has admitted himself to a facility pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 37-3-20 or any voluntary patient’s personal representative, legal guardian, parent, spouse, attorney, or adult next of kin may request such patient’s discharge […]
§ 37-2-44. Statutory Construction
Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the power of the department to investigate complaints where otherwise authorized by law. History. Code 1981, § 37-2-44 , enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 133, § 3/HB 535.
§ 37-2-45. Medical Review Group to Review the Deaths of Consumers
The Governor shall appoint a medical review group to conduct medical reviews of all deaths of consumers in state hospitals or state operated community residential services, which shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The medical review group shall consist of the ombudsman and four board certified physicians, one of whom shall be a […]
§ 37-2-46. Notification of Consumer’s Death; Time Limits
Within 24 hours after a consumer suffers death, the division, governmental agency, or services provider shall notify the ombudsman of such death; provided, however, that for a death occurring within two weeks following the consumer’s discharge from a state hospital or state operated community residential services, the division, governmental agency, or services provider shall notify […]
§ 37-2-31. Creation of Office of Disability Services Ombudsman
There is created the office of disability services ombudsman. The chief officer of such office shall be the ombudsman. The office and the ombudsman shall: Be charged with promoting the safety, well-being, and rights of consumers; Have the powers and duties set forth in this article; and Act independently of any state official, department, or […]
§ 37-2-32. Nominating Committee to Identify Qualified Candidates for Ombudsman; Committee Membership; Terms of Service of Ombudsman
A nominating committee appointed by the Governor shall identify at least three qualified persons to serve as ombudsman. In making the appointment of the ombudsman, the Governor shall consider, but not be limited to, the nominations furnished by the nominating committee. The ombudsman shall have knowledge and experience concerning the safety, well-being, and rights of […]
§ 37-2-33. Powers of Ombudsman
The ombudsman may appoint such deputy ombudsmen and staff as may be deemed necessary to effectively fulfill the purposes of this article and establish the compensation thereof, within the limits of the funds available for the purposes of the ombudsman. The duties of the deputy ombudsmen and staff may include the duties and powers of […]
§ 37-2-34. Ombudsman and Other Office Personnel Deemed Members of Department Work Force for Certain Purposes
The ombudsman and persons employed by or acting as agents of the ombudsman shall be deemed members of the work force of the department solely for the purposes of: Allowing the department to disclose confidential clinical records and protected health information to the ombudsman as provided for in Code Section 37-2-36; Protecting confidential clinical records […]