Washington State Court Bans ‘Psychiatric Boarding’ In Emergency Departments

On August 7, 2014, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the practice of “psychiatric boarding” for individuals under civil commitment violates state law. Psychiatric boarding occurs when a patient in psychiatric emergency waiting for admission to a psychiatric facility remains in a hospital emergency department. The ruling arose from a 2013 Pierce County case, In re Detention of DW. The court found that when an individual is involuntarily detained for evaluation, stabilization, and treatment, the Involuntarily Treatment Act requires that they be held in a certified evaluation and treatment facility, which is defined in state law. The court further . . .