Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
5150 hold
Pronunciation: fifty-one-fifty hold
California's 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold law, often referenced in psychiatric documentation.
Full Definition
California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150, which allows qualified officers or clinicians to involuntarily confine a person with mental health disorders for 72-hour evaluation and treatment. The term is widely used in psychiatric hospital documentation across jurisdictions, even when referring to similar holds under different state codes. Editorial context requires understanding that this is California-specific legislation that has become generic shorthand.
Usage
Usage note: Specific to California law but used colloquially in other states.
In Context
- "The patient was placed on a 5150 hold following the crisis assessment." — Psychiatric admission documentation
- "The 5150 hold expires at midnight unless converted to a 5250." — Treatment planning notes
Also known as
psychiatric hold
involuntary hold
Contrasted with
voluntary admission
Don't confuse with
5250 hold
5585 hold