Psychiatria pre prax 3/2006

LEGAL ASPECTS OF AN ACUTE PSYCHOTIC PATIENT

The article describes legal problems related to an acute psychotic state. A patient with an acute psychotic state is a medical emergency that has to be immediately diagnostically assessed and treated. In a case (in an individual patient) that the condition means a serious threat to the patient or the surrounding or if the lack of treatment could deteriorate patient´s health seriously, a physician is obliged to provide health care measures even without an agreement of the patient. Police can be asked to assist as well. These facts are legally supported in the below mentioned laws that specify duties and competence of health care workers, hospitals and police and protects rights of patients.

Keywords: acute psychotic state, patient informed consent, police assistance.