PDFWAC 246-341-1124

Residential and inpatient mental health servicesRights related to antipsychotic medication.

All individuals have a right to make an informed decision regarding the use of antipsychotic medication consistent with the provisions of RCW 71.05.215 and 71.05.217. The provider must develop and maintain a written protocol for the involuntary administration of antipsychotic medications, including all of the following requirements:
(1) The clinical record must document all of the following:
(a) An attempt to obtain informed consent.
(b) The individual was asked if they wish to decline treatment during the 24-hour period prior to any court proceeding wherein the individual has the right to attend and is related to their continued treatment. The answer must be in writing and signed when possible. In the case of a child under the age of 18, the psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority must be able to explain to the court the probable effects of the medication.
(c) The reasons why any antipsychotic medication is administered over the individual's objection or lack of consent.
(2) The psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority may administer antipsychotic medications over an individual's objections or lack of consent only when:
(a) An emergency exists, provided there is a review of this decision by a second psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority within 24 hours. An emergency exists if all of the following are true:
(i) The individual presents an imminent likelihood of serious harm to self or others;
(ii) Medically acceptable alternatives to administration of antipsychotic medications are not available or are unlikely to be successful; and
(iii) In the opinion of the psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority, the individual's condition constitutes an emergency requiring that treatment be instituted before obtaining an additional concurring opinion by a second psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority.
(b) There is an additional concurring opinion by a second psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority, for treatment up to 30 days.
(c) For continued treatment beyond 30 days through the hearing on any 180-day petition filed under RCW 71.05.217, provided the facility medical director or director's medical designee reviews the decision to medicate an individual. Thereafter, antipsychotic medication may be administered involuntarily only upon order of the court. The review must occur at least every 60 days.
(3) The examining psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority must sign all 180-day petitions for antipsychotic medications filed under the authority of RCW 71.05.217.
(4) Individuals committed for 180 days who refuse or lack the capacity to consent to antipsychotic medications have the right to a court hearing under RCW 71.05.217 prior to the involuntary administration of antipsychotic medications.
(5) In an emergency, antipsychotic medications may be administered prior to the court hearing provided that an examining psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority files a petition for an antipsychotic medication order the next judicial day.
(6) All involuntary medication orders must be consistent with the provisions of RCW 71.05.217, whether ordered by a psychiatrist, physician assistant working with a supervising psychiatrist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician or physician assistant in consultation with a mental health professional with prescriptive authority or the court.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 71.24.037, 71.05.560, 71.34.380, 18.205.160, 43.70.080(5), 41.05.750, 43.70.250, 74.09.520, and chapters 71.05, 71.12, 71.24, and 71.34 RCW. WSR 22-24-091, § 246-341-1124, filed 12/6/22, effective 5/1/23. Statutory Authority: 2018 c 201 and 2018 c 291. WSR 19-09-062, § 246-341-1124, filed 4/16/19, effective 5/17/19.]