A guardian may sign a patient into treatment when the patient meets criteria for commitment according to county guidelines. However, patients are only eligible to stay under guardianship provision for 24 hours. After 24 hours, our staff will file for a 72-hour commitment at the Travis County Court House. This allows the patient to stay in the hospital and receive needed care.
A Medical Power of Attorney does not allow a friend or family member to sign a patient into services. An MPOA is helpful when patients refuse medication. The MPOA allows us to administer medication to the patient.
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