Do you still need a s20 case number for a voluntary Baker Act transport?

• A. Yes - must 23 until accepted by the hospital
• B. No, a case number is not required
• C. Yes, but only after the patient is accepted by the hospital
• D. Only for juveniles

Answer: (A)

An S20 Baker Act case number must be opened at the start of a Baker Act transport and kept active until the receiving hospital accepts the patient. This requirement ensures a formal, continuous record of the transport and the patient’s status, regardless of whether the patient is voluntary. It supports proper documentation, tracking, and coordination between EMS and the hospital, and it remains in place until the hospital intake decision is made. Delaying the case number until after hospital acceptance or assuming it isn’t needed for voluntary transports would create gaps in the record and risk noncompliance with Baker Act procedures. Therefore, the correct approach is to initiate the S20 case number during the transport and maintain it until hospital acceptance.