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Emergency Transfer to Maximum Security
This section outlines the criteria, triage, and transfer procedures to IDHS staff for referring a patient who is presenting behavior management problems to Chester Mental Health Center (MHC), the state’s only maximum-security inpatient hospital. These referrals are made only among inpatient IDHS Facilities.
Referral Initiation
State hospital staff refers a case for emergency transfer to Chester MHC by completing the Chester Referral Form and then faxing or emailing the form to the Forensic Court Services Administrator. The referral form must be signed by the referring hospital Medical Director.
Review Panel
The Forensics & Justice Services Bureau convenes a panel that includes the Deputy Director of Forensic & Justice Services, the Statewide Forensic Medical Director, and, as appropriate, the Statewide Clinical Director to:
- Review the referral information
- Schedule a phone review with the referring facility within 8 hours
Review Process with Referring Hospital
The Deputy Director of Forensic and Justice Services and panel members review the case with the referring facility staff. After the review with facility staff, the panel will decide whether a transfer to Chester MHC is warranted and inform the facility staff immediately.
- If a transfer is approved, the panel or panel member will inform the requesting facility and Chester MHC by email to coordinate the transfer, as an emergency transfer, within 48 hours.
Emergency Transfer without a Panel Review
- If a serious behavior management problem occurs after central office’s normal working hours (5:00PM), or on holidays or weekends, the Deputy Director of Forensic and Justice Services, Statewide Forensic Medical Director, or Statewide Clinical Director should be contacted immediately to approve an expedited emergency transfer to Chester MHC based on a phone review of the incident. Example serious events include:
- Attempted elopement
- Serious injury caused by a weapon or object used as a weapon
- Arson
- Sexual assault
- Life-threatening injury that leads to need for immediate medical attention
- Both the cell and home numbers of the Forensic Medical Director & Clinical Director are listed at each facility for 24hr emergency contacts during holidays and weekends.
- All referring facilities should scan or fax a copy of completed referrals form to the Deputy Director, Forensic & Justice Services and the Court Services Administrator.
| Name | Title | Contacts |
|---|---|---|
|
Dr. Sharon Coleman |
Deputy Director, Forensic & Justice Services |
Sharon.Coleman@illinois.gov |
|
Dr. Agoritsa Barczak |
Court Services Administrator |
Agoritsa.Barczak@illinois.gov |
|
Chester Mental Health Center Chester should be contacted directly for emergency referrals occurring on weekends, holidays, or evenings if the patient cannot be managed with emergency psychiatric procedures until a panel can be completed. |
N/A |
Phone: (618) 826-4571
Fax: (618) 826-3229 |