1. There are four classifications:
(a) Patients leaving institutions against medical advice. (b) Patients leaving institutions without permission. (c) Patients discharged from institutions for disciplinary reasons. (d) Patients disciplined by forfeiture of compensation without discharge.
1. No patient who is mentally irresponsible shall be discharged for disciplinary reasons. 2. No patient shall be discharged for disciplinary reasons, if his physical condition is such as to endanger his life by reason of such discharge. 3. No patient shall be discharged for disciplinary reasons, except on the recommendations of a Board of Officers approved by the Medical Officer in Charge of the institution.
Provision is made for minor punishments.
The Board of Officers above referred to is to be composed of two medical officers on the staff of the hospital and a representative of the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau appointed by the District Manager. When it is impracticable for the District Manager to appoint a representative he will request the Medical Officer in Charge of the hospital to appoint a member of his staff to represent the Veterans’ Bureau.
Patients discharged for the first time for disciplinary reasons receive transportation home. They are not readmitted to hospital except by the authority of the Director.
On the second or subsequent discharge for disciplinary reasons or for being AWOL, the board may recommend a forfeiture of compensation up to a maximum of 75% each month for a period of three months time.
Patients discharged under any of the above classes who are, following their first discharge, readmitted to hospital and after this 2nd admission are discharged for completion of treatment revert to their former status with a clean record.
5. Under (d) patients disciplined by forfeiture of compensation without discharge. Provision is made whereby patients who have committed an offense when it is not deemed necessary or advisable to recommend their discharge because of the nature and gravity of the offense, or because of the patient’s physical condition, forfeiture of their compensation up to a maximum of 75% each month for three months may be made effective.
Provision is made for the proper recording of all patients discharged in all districts, for the making of all forfeitures effective and here after all admission cards will bear a notation indicating whether or not the patient has been previously discharged under this order Section II of General Order 27–A is as follows: