By Felecia Sheffield PhD Submitted On May 09, 2016
Individuals at some point in their lives may require inpatient psychiatric stabilization at a hospital. Admission can be voluntarily under the person's own volition, or admission may be involuntary if the person is unable to make the decision or unwilling. It is important that their guardian is part of their course of care from pre-admission through discharge. Effective treatment is imperative for psychiatric stabilization. A collaborative partnership between guardians and hospital treatment providers will help to facilitate an improvement in the individual's psychological functioning. Below are key tips for creating effective and collaborative partnerships.
1. Meet with staff immediately after admission to review admission paperwork.
2. Meet with staff as soon as possible to provide information related to current medications, and background information including medical, legal, psychiatric and inpatient histories.
3. Provide court documentation detailing the guardianship to the hospital for its records.
4. Ask questions regarding procedures, policies, patient rights, visitation hours etc.
5. Meet face to face with the Attending Psychiatrist, if he/she is unable then request a telephonic consultation so that you can discuss the treatment plan.
6. Read and educate yourself regarding your Ward's mental disorder(s) and their prescribed medications.
7. Visit your Ward at the hospital regularly and if you are unable then contact them via telephone.
8. Speak to Nurses on the unit daily to get a clinical report on psychiatric progress.
9. Attend the weekly treatment team meeting with your Ward to discuss course of treatment, clinical progress and aftercare plans.
10. Discuss with staff if there is a pending court hearing for the Ward if they are under an involuntary inpatient placement petition (if applicable).
11. Discuss with the Attending Psychiatrist/treatment team their recommendations for level of psychiatric care at discharge e.g. partial hospitalization, substance abuse, residential.
12. Keep the treatment team abreast of any changes that relate to housing placement prior to discharge.
13. Make sure you are advised of and give permission for any medication additions, deletions, or dosage changes.
14. Don't become intimidated by the process.
15. Advocate, advocate, advocate!!
2. Meet with staff as soon as possible to provide information related to current medications, and background information including medical, legal, psychiatric and inpatient histories.
3. Provide court documentation detailing the guardianship to the hospital for its records.
4. Ask questions regarding procedures, policies, patient rights, visitation hours etc.
5. Meet face to face with the Attending Psychiatrist, if he/she is unable then request a telephonic consultation so that you can discuss the treatment plan.
6. Read and educate yourself regarding your Ward's mental disorder(s) and their prescribed medications.
7. Visit your Ward at the hospital regularly and if you are unable then contact them via telephone.
8. Speak to Nurses on the unit daily to get a clinical report on psychiatric progress.
9. Attend the weekly treatment team meeting with your Ward to discuss course of treatment, clinical progress and aftercare plans.
10. Discuss with staff if there is a pending court hearing for the Ward if they are under an involuntary inpatient placement petition (if applicable).
11. Discuss with the Attending Psychiatrist/treatment team their recommendations for level of psychiatric care at discharge e.g. partial hospitalization, substance abuse, residential.
12. Keep the treatment team abreast of any changes that relate to housing placement prior to discharge.
13. Make sure you are advised of and give permission for any medication additions, deletions, or dosage changes.
14. Don't become intimidated by the process.
15. Advocate, advocate, advocate!!
Resources:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 24 hour toll-free crisis hotline, 1-800-273-TALK or (1-800-273-8255)
TTY: 800-799-4889
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 24 hour toll-free crisis hotline, 1-800-273-TALK or (1-800-273-8255)
TTY: 800-799-4889
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
1-866-615-6464 (toll-free)
1-301-443-8431 (TTY)
1-866-415-8051 (TTY toll-free)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
1-866-615-6464 (toll-free)
1-301-443-8431 (TTY)
1-866-415-8051 (TTY toll-free)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
877-SAMHSA-7 (877-726-4727)
800-487-4889 (TDD)
877-SAMHSA-7 (877-726-4727)
800-487-4889 (TDD)
Dr. Sheffield is a Licensed Psychologist with extensive mental health experience particularly with ethnically diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. She has provided consultations for movies, organizations, mental health agencies and schools. Through her volunteerism as a Science Cheerleader, she along with 300+ other current and former NFL/NBA cheerleaders make appearances around the country to encourage girls and young women to pursue majors and careers in the STEM fields.
For more information please visit us at http://www.psychcorepa.com. Copyright © 2016, Felecia D. Sheffield, PhD. All Rights Reserved Worldwide in all Media.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Felecia_Sheffield_PhD/60179
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