(a) The Department shall perform each patient transfer in a manner that ensures the continuity of care.
(b) Each transfer of care within California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) shall be facilitated through a handoff process where information is provided by the designated sending care team member to the designated receiving care team member.
(1) Handoffs shall occur prior to the time of transfer.
(c) Transfers of care shall be accomplished by verbal communication between the sending and receiving care teams, with written documentation accompanying the patient.
(1) Transfers between CDCR institutions.
(A) Custody staff at the sending institution shall notify health care staff via a bus list of a patient's imminent transfer at least seven calendar days prior to the date of transfer.
(B) Within 24 hours prior to the transfer, the Receiving and Release (R&R) Nurse shall conduct a face-to-face interview and assess the patient for contraindications to transfer.
(C) The receiving institution shall ensure the patient is scheduled for an initial new arrival assessment encounter as clinically indicated.
(2) Transfers to non-CDCR facilities.
(A) Within 24 hours prior to the transfer, the R&R Nurse shall conduct a face-to-face interview and assess the patient for contraindications to transfer.
(B) Release from custody. Custody staff shall notify health care staff of pending transfers via the Parole/Transportation List.
(C) Out-to-Court.
1. Classification and Parole Representative staff shall notify health care staff in advance of scheduled court dates.
2. The R&R Nurse shall screen the health record for contraindications to transfer and contact the Primary Care Team to resolve.
(3) Transfers within a CDCR institution.
(A) The sending care team shall verbally communicate the following alerts or other significant health care information to the receiving care team and other necessary care providers:
1. Unusual medications, unusual treatments, and missing medications.
2. Pending appointments.
(4) Non-mental health level of care changes.
(A) A handoff shall be completed for each level of care change.
(B) Patients transferring to or from a higher level of care shall go through the Triage and Treatment Area (TTA).
(C) Patients discharged to an outpatient setting from the TTA who are clinically high risk shall be seen by their Primary Care Provider (PCP) within five calendar days of discharge. Patients discharged to an outpatient setting from the TTA who are clinically low or medium risk shall be seen by their Primary Care Registered Nurse (RN) or PCP as clinically indicated.
(D) Patients discharged to an outpatient setting from a community hospital, emergency department, or any non-mental health CDCR health care bed shall be seen by their PCP within five calendar days of discharge.
(5) Mental health level of care changes.
(A) A handoff shall be completed for each level of care change.
(B) Patients transferring to or from a higher level of care shall go through the TTA.
(C) Patients discharged to an Enhanced Outpatient Program level of care from a Mental Health Crisis Bed (MHCB) or Psychiatric Inpatient Program (PIP) bed shall be seen by the mental health RN Care Manager within 3 calendar days of discharge and by a psychiatrist within 14 calendar days of discharge.
(D) Patients discharged from an MHCB or PIP bed to a Correctional Clinical Case Management System level of care, and on psychiatric medications at present or in the last 6 months shall be seen by a psychiatrist within 14 calendar days of discharge.
(E) Notwithstanding subsections (c)(5)(C) and (D), if the MHCB or hospital psychiatrist orders that a patient be seen sooner than 14 calendar days after discharge, the psychiatrist's order shall be followed.
Credits
Note: Authority cited: Section 5058, Penal Code. Reference: Section 5054, Penal Code; and Plata v. Newsom (No. C01-1351 JST), U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.
History
1. New section filed 7-1-2019 as an emergency; operative 7-1-2019 (Register 2019, No. 27). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 12-9-2019 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
2. New section refiled 12-5-2019 as an emergency; operative 12-10-2019 (Register 2019, No. 49). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-9-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
3. New section refiled 3-9-2020 as an emergency; operative 3-10-2020 (Register 2020, No. 11). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 6-8-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 3-9-2020 order, including amendment of subsection (c)(5)(E), transmitted to OAL 6-8-2020 and filed 7-20-2020; amendments operative 7-20-2020 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2020, No. 30).
This database is current through 5/10/24 Register 2024, No. 19.
