Ohio Code 4731.62 – Patients suspected of drug overdose; referral to mental health professional
(A) As used in this section:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 4731.62
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures; this provision does not affect any law relating to signatures. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
(1) “Controlled substance” and “controlled substance analog” have the same meanings as in section 3719.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) “Dangerous drug” has the same meaning as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.
(3) “Mental health professional” has the same meaning as in section 340.04 of the Revised Code.
(B) A physician who is acting in a professional capacity and who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect based on facts that would cause a reasonable person in a similar position to suspect, that a patient is experiencing an overdose of a dangerous drug, controlled substance, controlled substance analog, or metabolite of a controlled substance may refer the patient to a mental health professional. If the physician refers the patient to a mental health professional, the physician shall promptly notify the mental health professional in writing of the referral. Within thirty days after receiving the written notification, the mental health professional shall inform the physician in writing of the status of treatment of the patient provided by the mental health professional.
(C) A communication between a physician and a mental health professional made under this section shall not be considered a breach of confidentiality between a physician or psychologist or other mental health professional and a patient or a waiver of a testimonial privilege by the patient.
(D) A physician or mental health professional is not liable in damages in a civil action for harm allegedly incurred as a result of a communication made under this section.