How Long Do Blue Papers Last?
Within 3 days from the date of admission of the person under this section, the hospital must: • Admit the person as a voluntary patient, OR • File an application for judicial commitment except that if the 3rd day falls on a weekend or holiday, the application must be filed on the next business day following that weekend or holiday, OR • Discharge the person. The patient may be discharged sooner, if during the period of the blue paper the hospital decides that the person may be safely discharged. The hospital may admit a person as a voluntary patient at any time during the period of the blue paper.
A hospital may keep a person on Blue Paper admission for 3 days, not counting the day of admission. If the third day is on a weekend or legal holiday, then the hospital can make the person stay until the next business day. The patient may be discharged sooner if the hospital decides that the person may be safely discharged. The hospital may also admit a person as a voluntary patient at any time during the Blue Paper period if the person agrees.
