Established in 1987, College Hospital Costa Mesa is an Acute Care Hospital accredited by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and licensed by the California Department of Health Services. Located conveniently at the end of the 55 freeway in Costa Mesa California, College Hospital Costa Mesa offers medical/surgical services as well as a full spectrum of psychiatric services dedicated to the treatment of adult patients. This full spectrum includes designated psychiatric beds as well as partial hospitalization services. Our medical and surgical specialty services (such as Medical Detoxification from drugs and alcohol) compliment the tertiary care services of the large medical centers in Orange County. In commitment to our patients, College Hospital Costa Mesa has established the following Mission, Vision and Values:
MISSION:
- College Hospital Costa Mesa strives to provide a continuum of superior patient-focused, medical, surgical, and behavioral health services in an efficient manner to meet the needs of our community.
VISION:
- College Hospital Costa Mesa, in recognition of its Mission, will strive to be a respected health care provider, recognized for excellence and exceptional service.
VALUES:
- College Hospital Costa Mesa’s values include the following: Integrity; Innovation; Compassion; Excellence; Commitment; and Collaboration.
COVID Vaccine Information
https://www.cdph.ca.gov
https://othena.com
-
Chief Executive Officer
-
Chief of Staff
-
Chief Nursing Officer
-
Chief Financial Officer
-
Chief People Officer
-
Director of Medical Surgical Services
-
Quality Improvement/ Risk Management Manager
College Hospital’s Access Services is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by intake specialists who respond to the caller’s needs by arranging crisis team evaluations or providing referral to resources. Access Services assists in the admission process by obtaining information, verifying insurance and preparing the patient for admission.
Crisis Team
College Hospital’s Crisis Team is a mobile psychiatric service that has been operating and serving the community since 1989. Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the College Crisis team responds to requests for service in Orange County from hospitals and police departments. (Orange County restricts responses to other locations unless contractually approved)
All on-site or off-site assessments, consultations and referrals are conducted by designated licensed mental health professionals. This multidisciplinary team includes RN’s, MFT’s and LCSW’s. During a face to face interview, the clinician determines the nature and severity of the problem and identifies the support services needed, if any.
There are medical parameters required for all psychiatric admissions.
Notice of Privacy Practices
Special Language Needs Program
College Hospital Costa Mesa recognizes that language and/or communication barriers may exist between patients and hospital staff. Please be advised that arrangements will be made for interpreters or bilingual professional staff to ensure adequate and speedy communication between patients and staff at all times. A copy of our Special Language Needs Program Policy is provided here for you to review.
Q: Who makes the determination that an involuntary hold is necessary?
A: A qualified individual who is designated by the county can place an individual on an involuntary hold.
Q: What are the criteria for a psychiatric inpatient hospitalization?
A: Danger to self (DTS) / Danger to Others (DTO) A person may be dangerous to self and others when he/she has recently threatened or attempted suicide or serious bodily injury. He/she may have demonstrated danger of substantial and imminent harm to himself/herself and/ or others through some recent act, attempt or threat of the same. Gravely Disabled (GD) Gravely disabled means that the person is unable to take care of themselves and their basic needs like food, clothing, or shelter.
Q: What is a “5150 hold?”
A: A 72-hour involuntary hold used to place an adult in an inpatient hospital setting for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The person must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Danger to self- (DTS)
- Danger to other- (DTO)
- Gravely disabled- (GD)
Q: What is a “5250 hold?”
A: A 14-day involuntary hold that is placed by a physician following a 5150 hold for additional intensive treatment. The person must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Danger to self- (DTS)
- Danger to other- (DTO)
- Gravely disabled- (GD)
Just because the 5250 is a 14-day hold, the patient may be released (by the physician) sooner than 14 days based on the patient’s behaviors.
Q: What is a “5270 hold?”
A: A 30-day involuntary hold that is placed by the physician following a 5250 for additional intensive treatment. A patient must meet the criteria of:
- Gravely disabled- (GD)
Q: What is a Probable Cause Hearing (PCH)?
A: Each patient is placed on 5250 (14 day hold) or 5270 (30 day hold) has a right to a Probable Cause Hearing. The Probable Cause Hearing is held within the first four days of a 14 day or 30 day hold. A Probable Cause Hearing is scheduled at the hospital. The purpose of the Probable Cause Hearing is to gather as much information as possible so the hearing officer can decide whether probable cause exists to believe the person is Danger to Self (DTS), Danger to Others (DTO), or Gravely Disabled (GD).
Q: What is Writ of Habeas Corpus?
A: A patient that is placed on an involuntary hold has the right to request a Writ of Habeas Corpus. A Writ of Habeas Corpus is a legal proceeding where the patient will appear before a judge in Supreme Court to contest a psychiatric hold. A patient may file a Writ of Habeas Corpus at any time during their stay.
Q: What is a Riese Petition?
A: A legal process initiated when a physician believes that the patient lacks the capacity to consent for psychiatric medications. If approved, the medications can be administered without the patient’s consent.
Q: What is LPS Conservatorship?
A: The LPS Conservatorship process occurs when the court appoints a conservator. A conservator is someone who makes certain legal decisions for the patient. Some of these decisions include:
- Medication approval/consent
- Medical treatment decisions
- Money management
- Residency approval
When a patient is on conservatorship in addition to the above, the court may limit their right to:
- Vote
- Enter into contracts
- To drive
- Own firearms
The LPS Conservatorship lasts for a maximum of one year at a time, unless the court is petitioned and then it can be renewed by the court for one additional year.
Q: How can I obtain a LPS Conservatorship for the patient?
A: If the patient’s physician believes that the patient’s mental disorder keeps them from being able to provide their basic needs (food, shelter, or clothing) he/she may make a recommendation to county public guardian’s office. The public guardian investigator then makes a recommendation to the court regarding the conservatorship. A judge makes the final decision on the conservatorship.
Information Regarding Visiting Hours
Q: What are the visiting hours?
A: Please see Visiting Hours
Information Regarding Patient’s Stay
Q: How often is the patient seen by the Psychiatrist?
A: The patient will be seen by the psychiatrist daily.
Q: Why would the Psychiatrist change a patient’s medication?
A: A psychiatrist may change a patient’s medication for the following reasons:
- Poor treatment response- i.e the patient is not responding appropriate to the course of treatment that is prescribed;
- Adverse effects-a harmful or abnormal effect from the prescribed medication;
- Request of patient/caregiver
Q: Why won’t staff tell me how the patient is doing while they’re in the hospital?
A: Hospital staff may release information to individuals (i.e., family/friends) that the patient or legal guardian/conservator approves to have that information. The hospital will make every effort to communicate with those approved to receive information about the patient.
Q: With “Voluntary Status,” can the patient leave at any time?
A: Yes. If the patient is no longer meets criteria (DTS, DTO, GD) the hospital can no longer legally hold the patient and he/she may leave. However, should the patient meet criteria the patient may be placed on a 5150.
Information Regarding Discharge
Q: Can the hospital find the patient a new place to live?
A: The Social Services Department can provide placement resources and referrals. Placement results depend on a number of factors including:
- Current resources
- Recommended level of care
- Placement availability
- Patient’s desire
Types of Placements may include:
- Board and Care
- Room and Board
- Sober Living
Social Services will communicate with the selected facility and the patient’s support system. They will also arrange for the patient’s placement and their outpatient follow up treatment.
Contact Information
We want to ensure that your questions and/or concerns are adequately and timely addressed. Should you need additional information, you may contact us below for additional assistance:
| Warren Bradley Chief Executive Officer WarrenB@chcm.us |
Kimberly Beard, MSN, RN-BC, CPHQ Chief Nursing Officer (949) 574-3623 KimberlyB@chcm.us |
| Sarah Magana, CTRS, RTC Director of Activity Therapy / Program Customer Service Ambassador (949) 642-2734 Ext. 2388 SarahM@chcm.us |
Confidentiality
Federal and State laws prohibit College Hospital from disclosing patient health information without the written consent of the patient. College Hospital strictly complies with all Federal and State laws governing the privacy, security, use and disclosure of patient health information.
Visiting Hours
- You may be required to wear a mask depending on current county guidelines. Policy subject to change.
Visiting hours are by appointment only: Please contact the Nursing Station or a Social Worker for scheduling assistance.
Increments of 15 min and 1 person at a time.Adult Psychiatric Units: East Daily 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm South Daily 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Open Daily 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm West Daily 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm North Daily 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm Medical Surgical Unit: Daily 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm If you would like to visit a patient during a different time, you may contact the Charge Nurse to discuss setting up a visitation date/time.
- Children under the age of 14 will not be permitted to visit.
- Any person who is exhibiting flu-like symptoms will not be permitted to visit.
- If you cannot come at the designated times above, please call in advance for special privileges as doctor approval is required.
- Only one visitor per patient. If there are two visitors for one patient, separate appointments can be made to fulfill satisfactory visiting time of 15 minutes each. Please request this with the Nursing and/or Social Services staff.
- All patients have the right to refuse visitors at any time.
Please sign in with the operator or security guard to receive a Visitors Badge.
When allowed to enter the unit, please check-in at the nursing station.
Please note: Personal belongings may not be brought onto the unit including purses and bulky jackets, please leave these items locked in your vehicle.
Bringing Items for Patients
- For the safety of all our patients, we ask that you do not bring in the following:
- Food (special arrangements can be made in advance);
- Glass or sharp objects (including flower vases);
- Items with cords or strings (shoelaces, belts, walkman, hair dryer, balloons, etc.)
- Electronics including phones, laptops, recording devices, cameras, hair dryers, etc.
- If belongings are brought at any time other than visiting hours, belongings must be left at the front desk to be picked up by a unit staff member.
It is highly recommended that patients leave valuables at home.
Patient Safety is the highest priority for our staff at College Hospital Costa Mesa. One of the ways we are able to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for our patients is by prohibiting the storage of certain items in patient rooms. Those items are considered to be “contraband” on all units and will be securely stored during a patients stay in the hospital. The following is a list of most common contraband, although it is not inclusive.
Contraband:
|
All contraband items that cannnot be sent home with family or friends will be stored securely on the unit or in the safe until discharge. Any illegal substance will be destroyed by two licensed staff members and weapons will be turned over to the police department.
Visit our Patient Portal here
