Psychiatric medication management services are a variety of activities related to prescribing and administering medication, including monitoring an individual for side effects and changes as needed.
(1) An agency providing psychiatric medication management services must:
(a) Ensure that medical direction and responsibility are assigned to a:
(i) Physician who is licensed to practice under chapter
18.57 or
18.71 RCW, and is board-certified or board-eligible in psychiatry;
(ii) Psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) licensed under chapter
18.79 RCW; or
(iii) Physician assistant licensed under chapter
18.71A or
18.57A RCW working with a supervising psychiatrist.
(b) Ensure that the services are provided by a prescriber licensed by the department who is practicing within the scope of that practice;
(c) Ensure that all staff administering medications are appropriately credentialed;
(d) Have a process by which the medication prescriber informs either the individual, the legally responsible party, or both, and, as appropriate, family members, of the potential benefits and side effects of the prescribed medication(s);
(e) Must ensure that all medications maintained by the agency are safely and securely stored, including assurance that:
(i) Medications are kept in locked cabinets within a well-lit, locked and properly ventilated room;
(ii) Medications kept for individuals on medication administration or self-administration programs are clearly labeled and stored separately from medication samples kept on-site;
(iii) Medications marked "for external use only" are stored separately from oral or injectable medications;
(iv) Refrigerated food or beverages used in the administration of medications are kept separate from the refrigerated medications by the use of trays or other designated containers;
(v) Syringes and sharp objects are properly stored and disposed of;
(vi) Refrigerated medications are maintained at the required temperature; and
(vii) If the individual gives permission for disposal, outdated medications are disposed of in accordance with the regulations of the pharmacy quality assurance commission and no outdated medications are retained.
(2) An agency providing psychiatric medication management services may utilize a physician or ARNP without board eligibility in psychiatry if unable to employ or contract with a psychiatrist. In this case, the agency must ensure that:
(a) Psychiatrist consultation is provided to the physician or ARNP at least monthly; and
(b) A psychiatrist or psychiatric ARNP is accessible to the physician or ARNP for emergency consultation.
(c) Ensure that the individual's clinical record contains documentation of medication management services.