Georgia Code
Part 2 - Rights and Privileges as to Manner of Care and Treatment and as to Maintenance and Release of Clinical Records
§ 37-7-160. Individual Dignity of Patients to Be Respected; Treatment of Alcoholics and Drug Abusers as Medical Patients; Use of Criminal Facilities and Procedures

The patient’s dignity as an individual shall be respected at all times and upon all occasions, including any occasion wherein the patient is taken into custody, detained, or transported. Alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers or those suspected of being alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, be treated at all times as medical patients. All patients shall be treated by a physician or psychologist acting within the scope of his or her license. Except where required under conditions of extreme urgency, those procedures, facilities, vehicles, and restraining devices normally utilized for criminals or those accused of crime shall not be used in connection with the alcoholics, drug dependent individuals, or drug abusers.
History. Code 1933, § 88-402.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1856, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902, § 26.

Structure Georgia Code

Georgia Code

Title 37 - Mental Health

Chapter 7 - Hospitalization and Treatment of Alcoholics, Drug Dependent Individuals, and Drug Abusers

Article 6 - Rights and Privileges of Patients, Their Representatives, and Others Generally

Part 2 - Rights and Privileges as to Manner of Care and Treatment and as to Maintenance and Release of Clinical Records

§ 37-7-160. Individual Dignity of Patients to Be Respected; Treatment of Alcoholics and Drug Abusers as Medical Patients; Use of Criminal Facilities and Procedures

§ 37-7-161. Securing of Least Restrictive Alternative Placement; Assisting Patient in Securing Placement in Noninstitutional Community Facilities and Programs

§ 37-7-162. Patient’s Care and Treatment Rights

§ 37-7-163. Recognition of Patients’ Physical Integrity; Patients’ Right to Refuse Medication; Obtaining Consent to Treatment and Surgery; Performance of Emergency Surgery; Immunity of Physician; Direction of Notice of Actions Taken Under Code Sectio...

§ 37-7-164. “Representative,” “Substantial Change” Defined; Consultation by Patient’s Representative With Treatment Facility; Notification of Treatment Change; Guardian’s Consultation and Notification Rights

§ 37-7-165. Mistreatment, Neglect, or Abuse of Patients; Use of Medication, Seclusion, or Physical Restraints

§ 37-7-166. Maintenance, Confidentiality, and Release of Clinical Records; Disclosure of Confidential or Privileged Patient Information

§ 37-7-167. Right of Patient to Examine His Records and to Request Correction of Inaccuracies; Promulgation of Rules and Regulations; Judicial Supervision of Files and Records Relating to Proceedings Under This Chapter

§ 37-7-168. Right of Patient’s Attorney to Interview Physician or Psychologist and Staff Attending Patient; Establishment of Regulations as to Release of Information to Patient’s Attorney