Sec. 27.5. Medical care and treatment

(a) General.

Directors and staff of facilities shall provide services for mental disability in such a manner that patients receive care and treatment that is suited to their needs and skillfully, safely, and humanely administered with full respect for their dignity and personal integrity.

(b) Periodic physical examinations.

Directors and staff of facilities shall provide each patient with a physical examination at not less than 12-month intervals. A chest X-ray shall be part of the examination for adults of middle age and older. Annual physical examinations for outpatients should be provided through the usual medical resources in the community.

(c) Emergency care.

Directors and staff of facilities shall provide each patient, directly or by formal agreement with a qualified provider, emergency medical care for illness or injuries whenever such care is needed.

(d) Serious illness or injury.

Appropriate members of staff of facilities shall immediately notify the legal guardian, family, or close friend of any patient who develops a serious illness or sustains a serious injury.

(e) Physician's orders.

Directors and medical staff of facilities shall assure that treatments which require a physician's order include a termination date and are written and signed within 24 hours after they are issued. A physician should review, rewrite, and sign new orders on the termination date of the old orders.