(1) A physician, a clinical psychologist, a physician assistant working under the scope of practice of the supervising physician, a psychiatric nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse, a mental health counselor, a marriage and family therapist, a master’s-level-certified addictions professional for substance abuse services, or a clinical social worker may execute a professional’s certificate for emergency admission. The professional’s certificate must include the name of the person to be admitted, the relationship between the person and the professional executing the certificate, the relationship between the applicant and the professional, any relationship between the professional and the licensed service provider, a statement that the person has been examined and assessed within the preceding 5 days after the application date, and factual allegations with respect to the need for emergency admission, including:

(a) The reason for the belief that the person is substance abuse impaired;

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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 397.6793

  • evaluation: means a systematic measurement of a service provider's achievement of desired individual or service outcomes. See Florida Statutes 397.311
  • Law enforcement officer: means a law enforcement officer as defined in…. See Florida Statutes 397.311
  • Licensed service provider: means a public agency under this chapter, a private for-profit or not-for-profit agency under this chapter, a physician or any other private practitioner licensed under this chapter, or a hospital that offers substance abuse services through one or more licensed service components. See Florida Statutes 397.311
  • person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
  • Physician: means a person licensed under chapter 458 to practice medicine or licensed under chapter 459 to practice osteopathic medicine, and may include, if the context so indicates, an intern or resident enrolled in an intern or resident training program affiliated with an approved medical school, hospital, or other facility through which training programs are normally conducted. See Florida Statutes 397.311
  • Physician assistant: means a person licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician or psychiatrist whose specialty includes substance abuse treatment. See Florida Statutes 397.311
  • Stabilization: means :
    (a) Alleviation of a crisis condition; or
    (b) Prevention of further deterioration,

    and connotes short-term emergency treatment. See Florida Statutes 397.311

  • Substance abuse: means the misuse or abuse of, or dependence on alcohol, illicit drugs, or prescription medications. See Florida Statutes 397.311
  • substance abuse impaired: means having a substance use disorder or a condition involving the use of alcoholic beverages, illicit or prescription drugs, or any psychoactive or mood-altering substance in such a manner as to induce mental, emotional, or physical problems or cause socially dysfunctional behavior. See Florida Statutes 397.311
(b) The reason for the belief that because of such impairment the person has lost the power of self-control with respect to substance abuse; and
(c)1. The reason for the belief that, without care or treatment, the person is likely to suffer from neglect or refuse to care for himself or herself; that such neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to his or her well-being; and that it is not apparent that such harm may be avoided through the help of willing family members or friends or the provision of other services, or there is substantial likelihood that the person has inflicted or, unless admitted, is likely to inflict, physical harm on himself, herself, or another; or
2. The reason for the belief that the person’s refusal to voluntarily receive care is based on judgment so impaired by reason of substance abuse that the person is incapable of appreciating his or her need for care and of making a rational decision regarding his or her need for care.
(2) The professional’s certificate must recommend the least restrictive type of service that is appropriate for the person. The certificate must be signed by the professional. If other less restrictive means are not available, such as voluntary appearance for outpatient evaluation, a law enforcement officer shall take the person named in the certificate into custody and deliver him or her to the appropriate facility for involuntary assessment and stabilization.
(3) A signed copy of the professional’s certificate shall accompany the person and shall be made a part of the person’s clinical record, together with a signed copy of the application. The application and the professional’s certificate authorize the involuntary admission of the person pursuant to, and subject to the provisions of, ss. 397.679397.6797.
(4) The professional’s certificate is valid for 7 days after issuance.
(5) The professional’s certificate must indicate whether the person requires transportation assistance for delivery for emergency admission and specify, pursuant to s. 397.6795, the type of transportation assistance necessary.