Applies To: This policy applies to child welfare employees.
Policy Number & Title: 2559. Hospital Holds
Effective Date: July 1, 2024
Purpose
Hospital administrators or physicians have legal authority to delay discharge of a child or youth through a hospital hold for up to 72 hours, without DCYF taking placement and care authority (PCA). The hospital administrator or physician must believe a child or youth is in imminent physical harm if released to their parents or guardians. This policy provides direction on how to respond to a hospital hold.
Authority
RCW 26.44.056 Protective detention or custody of abused child-Reasonable cause-Notice-Time limits-Monitoring plan-Liability
Policy
Caseworkers must:
- Assess if the child or youth is in imminent physical harm due to child abuse or neglect if discharged to the parents or guardians, when hospital administrators or physicians puts a child or youth on a hospital hold.
- Obtain the PCA of the child or youth if it is determined that they are in imminent physical harm and a safety plan cannot be developed to control or manage the identified threat.
Resources
Hospital Holds procedures (Located in the Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)
Original Date: September 1, 1995
Revised Date: July 1, 2024
Review Date: July 31, 2028
Approved by: Natalie Green, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Division