Inpatient Mental Health Care | Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Patients must meet at least two of the following criteria for the non-physician reviewer to approve the admission: --Suicidal indication (within last 48 hours) necessitating 24-hour professional observation supported by medical record documentation --Assaultive intent and/or behavior with significant threat to the safety of self or others (within last 48 hours) necessitating 24-hour professional observation supported by medical record documentation --Documented failure of current outpatient treatment necessitating 24-hour professional observation supported by medical documentation --Monitoring of psychotropic medication with documented onset of severe side effects in the presence of complicating medical and/or psychiatric conditions necessitating observation and assessment by a professional nurse --Need for 24-hour professional observation, evaluation and /or diagnosis of a patient exhibiting behaviors consistent with acute psychiatric disorder, which may include significant mental status changes. There needs to be documented evidence that no medical condition would account for the symptoms If the patient does not meet criteria, the case must be referred to a physician reviewer for a medical necessity determination

Upon request