(a) The purpose of comprehensive psychiatric emergency programs for those individuals with a known or suspected mental illness is to provide emergency observation, evaluation, care, and treatment in a safe and comfortable environment.

(b) The purpose of this Part is to establish standards for a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program which provides a full range of psychiatric emergency services within a defined geographic area. Comprehensive psychiatric emergency program services will include crisis intervention services within an emergency room setting, crisis outreach services, beds for extended observation of patients, and triage and referral services.

(c) The purpose of this Part is to describe requirements for the establishment and operation of a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program; establish requirements for admission and discharge; and specify requirements for staffing, services, treatment planning, recordkeeping and appropriate community linkages.