Posted by syringachalet on March 5, 2003, at 0:01:57
In reply to Re: Forcing mentally ill to take drugs - NY Times, posted by noa on March 4, 2003, at 22:08:17
Wendy,
Where I work we have had to get a court order to medicate mentally ill patients without patient consent. By the definition of the law, "this patient (had demonstrated that he) was a danger to himself and/or to others".
Under this description, we have never had a magistrate refuse us a medication order for 72 hours. During this time frame a serious medical workup on this patient was completed to try to find a medical reason for this at-risk behavior. If a medical problem existed, treatment offered was provided in the least restrictive environment as safe for the patient and those in his environment.
If a patient refused this medical treatment, the initial court order also allowed us to medicate him until such time he could no longer be a danger to himself and to others. This was not at his option.
Any physically non-abusive sterotypical behaviors were not treated with meds. Only if a behavior esclated to self-inflicting or physically aggressive behaviors was the patient first verbally cued and then progressively
physically---> chemically restrained for his own safety and those around him.After those 72 hours, was the patient regularly medicated at the lowest dose of medication that helped him control his own behaviors to prevent the SIB/physical abuse of those in his envorniment. Any non-consentual PRNs required specific documentation as to the patient actions followed up with the outcome including an MD call if needed results did not occur after the first dose.
Does it seem cruel and unkind? Depends on if you can ask yourself one question....
If you were so out of control that you started injuring yourself or someone else, wouldnt you want someone to care enough to help you regain some minimum level of self-control in the least restrictive environment and by whatever means it took for your own self-esteem and dignity?
I would be interested in other peoples perspectives on this topic...
syringachalet
poster:syringachalet
thread:205800
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030301/msgs/206029.html