5150 hold
Pronunciation: fifty-one-fifty
California's 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold for individuals who are a danger to themselves, others, or gravely disabled.
Full Definition
A 5150 hold refers to California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150, which authorizes the involuntary detention of individuals for up to 72 hours for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The hold can be initiated by qualified professionals when a person, due to mental health disorder, is deemed a danger to themselves, a danger to others, or gravely disabled. During the 72-hour period, the person must be evaluated by qualified mental health professionals to determine if further treatment is necessary. The term has become widely recognized beyond California and is sometimes used colloquially to refer to similar psychiatric holds in other jurisdictions.
Usage
Usage note: Write as '5150 hold' not 'Section 5150' in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The emergency room physician placed the patient on a 5150 hold after he threatened self-harm." — Emergency department report
- "During the 5150 hold period, the treatment team will assess whether longer-term commitment is necessary." — Clinical documentation