(a) Any general hospital having psychiatric facilities for care of inpatients may admit any person for observation and treatment without formal or written application if such hospital deems such person clinically suitable for such admission, observation and treatment, and any such person shall be free to leave such hospital at any time.

(b) Any such hospital may admit and detain persons under the provisions of sections 17a-498, 17a-502 and 17a-506 in the same manner as hospitals for psychiatric disabilities, including persons admitted under subsection (a) of this section for whom a certificate of emergency detention or a commitment order of a probate court has been made.