Non-voluntary Hospitalization of Patients with Mental Disorders in “SOCOLA” Institute of Psychiatry – Iasi, Romania

Research shows that mental health legislation is seen as an event that occurs every few decades and not as a process. Laws on voluntary or non-voluntary hospitalization of patient with mental disorders in many European countries were reformed. But legislation that refers to non-voluntary hospitalization of patients with mental disorders differ between Member States of the European Union. In Romania, Law 487/2002 is the mental health and protection of people with mental disorders law. Also, Law 129/2012 amending and supplementing Law 487/2002 surprise us with new legislative developments designed to align us with European standards. Implementing mental health law republished occurred in May 2016. The purpose of this study is to highlight the ethical and legal aspects, but also bio-psycho-social, of non-voluntary patients hospitalized in the Institute of Psychiatry "Socola", Iasi. Material and methods: The study is quantitative, retrospective, and the data were processed from observation sheets of 265 patients non-voluntary hospitalized in “Socola” Institute of Psychiatry, according to the law 487/2002, but and after republishing law in July 2012. Results show differences between non-voluntary admissions by law 487/2002 vs. republished health law in July 2012. The group may be mainly described in the majority male, from urban environment, aged below 40 years, with discharge diagnosis from Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders category. Non-voluntary hospitalization criteria according article 45/54, paragraph a), b) have been met. The application for non-voluntary hospitalization of patients with mental disorders came mostly from family. In conclusion, this many changes on health legislation cause psychiatrists to document permanently from a legal standpoint to make correct decisions and act quickly. Advance directives implementation in the legal system of mental health as an opportunity through which the patient can express his future wishes for psychiatric care (including non-voluntary hospitalization).