Western Highlands Network
Friday E-Mail Newsletter
Number 72
10/13/2006
The Friday E-Mail is a weekly update for providers by the Services Management Department of Western Highlands Network. Please distribute to all your staff.
Back to the Basics in Adult Mental Health...
Sometimes What You See Can Be Misleading!
Due to the impending closure of NVML, many clinicians practicing in the WHN area are or will be adjusting to both a new employer and new consumers.
In turn, many consumers will be adjusting to receiving services from a new agency, at a new location, and from new clinicians. This can be especially unsettling for consumers with serious mental illnesses and can pose particular challenges as we move from Day Light Savings Time.
The following are a list of predictors noted in the literature that can be useful in assessing consumers with schizophrenia. *
1. Does your consumer have problems in thinking (disorganization, cognitive impairment), which lead to forgetting to take his or her medication every day as prescribed.
2. Does your consumer lack insight into his or her illness and the need for medication treatment?
3. Does your consumer have a history of recent relapse and rehospitalization?
4. When your consumer starts to feel better, does he or she feel that medication is no longer needed?
5. Does your consumer have ideas or beliefs that might lead to them stopping their medication, such as thinking the medication is poison?
6.
Does your consumer currently abuse drugs or alcohol or have a history
of such abuse?
A yes answer to one or more questions may indicate that your consumer may be at risk for missing or stopping medication, which could result in decompensation, hospitalization, or worse.
As clinicians absorb new consumers in their case loads, it is important to assess not only the consumer as they present, but also their level of insight, natural supports, and their ability to work with you to develop and follow a crisis plan.
Remember, when in doubt; always consult with
your supervisor and/or the treating MD, FNP, or PA.
The most important
thing is to know when you need help.
A brief reminder in these oh-so-busy times:
Please remember when completing DHHS Incident and Death Report (QM02)
forms for all your Level II and Level III incidents, all
reports come to your Home, Host LMES and only Level III incidents are
required to be sent on to DMH/DD/SAS. Use the grid on pages 5 and 6 to determine
the level of the incident you are reporting and indicate Level by marking
the correct box on page 3. Be sure to document all contacts informed
of the incident on bottom of page 3. This includes WHN as either Host
or Home LME. Folks in Raleigh will call us when they receive a form which
does not appear to have been shared with the LME.
* WHN acknowledges the work of Janssen, L.P. in compiling this information
Charlie Schoenheit
Director of Services Management
Western Highlands Network
356 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
Telephone: (828)258-3511 x2219
FAX: (828) 225-2779
E-Mail: Charlie@westernhighlands.org
Website: westernhighlands.org
