LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  Policy 300.02 Reporting Electroconvulsive Therapy to State Authorities
 
Policy Category:  Administrative
Distribution Level:  Directly Operated and Contractors
Review and Approved by:  Patients' Rights Office

Approved by Gregory Polk, Chief Administrative Deputy Director, on July 16, 2019
I.  POLICY STATEMENT
 
This policy ensures that the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH/Department) complies with State and local reporting requirements related to Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT).
 
II.  DEFINITION
 
Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT): A planned induction of a seizure through electrical means for therapeutic purposes.
(9 CCR § 836(a))
 
III.  POLICY
 
The tracking and reporting of ECT to the State of California, Department of Health Care Services, the Patients’ Rights Office (PRO) shall report on a quarterly basis the number of treatments provided throughout the County of Los Angeles.

The listing of specific facilities providing ECT is tracked and maintained by DMH PRO for mandated purposes of collecting the number of treatments performed.

Monthly, any doctor or facility administering ECT shall report to PRO the numbers of persons who receive treatment, whether:
  1. Involuntary who gave informed consent; or
     
  2. Involuntary deemed incapable of giving informed consent and received treatment without consent; or
     
  3. Voluntary who gave informed consent; or
     
  4. Voluntary deemed incapable of giving informed consent.
Any alleged or suspected violation of the rights of patients undergoing ECT shall be investigated by PRO.
 
IV.  PROCEDURES
 
No procedures are associated with this policy.
 
V.  AUTHORITIES