Psych hold
Formal Definition
An involuntary psychiatric detention order that allows a facility to hold a patient for evaluation and treatment for up to 72 hours without their consent, applied when the patient is deemed a danger to themselves or others, or is gravely disabled due to a mental disorder.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Put them on a hold" or "they came in on a hold" — the colloquial term for initiating or being subject to an involuntary psychiatric evaluation.
Example
""Patient arrived via EMS on a psych hold after threatening self-harm with a kitchen knife; psychiatry is at bedside for evaluation now.""
Clinical Context
State laws govern holds — in California it's a 5150, in Florida a Baker Act, in other states similar statutes. The hold authorizes detention, not treatment — a separate capacity determination governs whether you can treat over objection. Holds are commonly initiated by physicians, nurses, and law enforcement. ER physicians frequently initiate holds pending psychiatry evaluation. Expiration without further action = patient can leave.
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