Rueda v. Charmaine D.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Smith, J.

We hold that an emergency room psychiatrist was “supervising the treatment of or treating” a patient within the meaning of Mental Hygiene Law § 9.27 (b) (11), and so had standing to seek an involuntary commitment of the patient pursuant to section 9.27. The psychiatrist was not required to resort to the emergency procedure contained in Mental Hygiene Law § 9.39.

I

Charmaine D. was brought to the emergency room at Jacobi Medical Center. Dr. Amita Shetty, an attending psychiatrist, found Charmaine to be acutely agitated, trying to take her clothes off, and in need of…