Psychotropic/Antipsychotic Medication

1. Psychotropic/ antipsychotic medication will not be administered to a student without the authorization of the student’s legal guardian and the authorization of the student, if he/she is competent to make such a decision. Guardians will be notified of adjustments of these medications. .
2. Hillcrest does not administer prescription medication to a student without the written order of a physician after review of record, observations by staff and examination by physician.
3. Any change of medication or dosage is authorized by a physician’s new order.
4. A medication record is maintained for each student, and a nurse records every medication administered. . The doctor’s order sheet and medication record are part of the student’s permanent record
5. All students are seen by the psychiatrist as their teams are reviewed on a rotating basis but at a minimum of every eight weeks. At this time, psychotropic medication regimes are reviewed. . A written report in the form of Psychiatric Progress Note will be submitted by the examining physician and become part of the permanent record. This will include details/ rationale of the necessity for the medication, any noted side effects, and the next meeting. Periodic AIMS testing will also be done by the Psychiatrist and documented in the student record.
6. As part of the therapeutic process, all students twelve years of age and older will be informed of the medication treatment, risks and potential side effects. The medications will be discussed and reviewed in all case reviews.
7. Students receiving medications are monitored continuously by the nursing and direct care staff for adverse side effects. Any adverse effects are reported to the psychiatrist or the medical director who then determines an appropriate course of action. All staff will receive additional training on the nature of antipsychotic medications, potential side effects, required monitoring and special precautions. This mandatory training is required annually.
8. No antipsychotic medication will be administered for a period longer than is medically necessary with careful monitoring by the physician. Additional blood tests are ordered on a regular basis to monitor for metabolic side effects.
9. When it is necessary to treat the student with high dose pharmacotherapy or polypharmacy, it may be necessary to increase psychiatric sessions at the discretion of the physician along with increased monitoring as ordered.
10. In an emergency situation where the treating physician determines that antipsychotic medication is necessary for the prevention of substantial and irreversible deterioration of a serious mental illness, such medication may be administered for treatment purposes without parental consent or prior judicial approval as a one-time order. This is if an unforeseen combination of circumstances or need for immediate action is noted and there is no less alternative to the medication. If the treating physician determines that the medication should continue, informed consent or judicial approval must be obtained as required.
11. At the campuses, all medication is administered by a licensed nurse. If a nurse is not available (for example, during off-campus trips), a medication certified staff member will administer prescribed medications to the student. On these occasions, individualized doses are prepared by the pharmacy and checked by the nurse. The certified staff ensures that the correct student receives the medication at the approved time.

Hillcrest Educational Centers utilizes an approved training plan and specified procedures for the certification of staff who will be supervising administration of medication. This plan includes:

Eligibility criteria

Testing criteria

Designated trainers

Recertification requirements

Training curriculum