0940-01-02-.11
Authorization For Treatment Contrary To A Declaration For
Cite as Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0940-01-02-.11
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.
(1)
If a patient’s actions, statements, and/or behavior indicate that they may lack capacity to give
informed consent and the patient has provided the RMHI with a current Declaration for
Mental Health Treatment that addresses the issue requiring informed consent (e.g.,
psychotropic medication, physical treatment, release of information, or another issue detailed
in the Declaration for Mental Health Treatment), then the patient’s capacity must be assessed
in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 0940-01-06 (Capacity to Make Decisions) by:
(a)
Two (2) physicians; or
(b)
One (1) physician with expertise in psychiatry by training, education, or experience and
one (1) psychologist with health service provider designation.
(2)
If the patient’s Declaration for Mental Health Treatment does not address the issue requiring
informed consent (e.g., psychotropic medication, physical treatment, and/or release of
PROCEDURES FOR PRESCRIPTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF
CHAPTER 0940-01-02
PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS AT MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTES
information), the patient’s capacity to give informed consent shall be assessed in accordance
with Rule 0940-01-02-.08, and, if the patient is determined to lack capacity to give informed
consent, the provisions of Rule 0940-01-02-.08 shall be followed relative to psychotropic
medication, physical treatment, and/or release of information.
(3)
If the patient is determined to lack capacity to give informed consent and the patient is
hospitalized on a voluntary status, treatment shall be provided in accordance with the
Declaration for Mental Health Treatment, except in emergency situations in accordance with
Rule 0940-01-02-.07, with informed consent provided by the Declaration for Mental Health
Treatment.
(4)
If the patient is determined to lack capacity to give informed consent and the patient is
hospitalized on an involuntary status, treatment shall be provided in accordance with the
Declaration for Mental Health Treatment, except in emergency situations in accordance with
Rule 0940-01-02-.07 or except as otherwise authorized by the TRC in accordance with Rule
0940-01-02-.11, with informed consent provided by the Declaration for Mental Health
Treatment.
(5)
TRC Process
If the patient’s Treatment Team determines that treatment, including psychotropic medication,
physical treatment, and/or release of information, in a manner contrary to an involuntary
patient’s wishes as expressed in the Declaration for Mental Health Treatment is the only
viable treatment for the patient, a TRC meeting shall be requested to consider approval to
provide the treatment. The TRC shall meet within three (3) regular working days of the
request and:
(a)
Review the patient’s medical record, including the documentation relating to the patient
lacking capacity, the patient’s Declaration for Mental Health Treatment, the request for
authorization for treatment in a manner contrary to the Declaration for Mental Health
Treatment, the rationale for the request, and the treatment recommendations;
(b)
Interview the patient (unless the patient declines to participate in the TRC meeting);
(c)
Make a decision regarding whether to authorize treatment in a manner contrary to the
patient’s Declaration for Mental Health Treatment; and
(d)
Document its decision and the justification on a state-approved form in the patient’s
medical record.
(6)
The TRC may authorize treatment, including but not limited to psychotropic medications,
physical treatment, and/or release of information, in a manner contrary to the patient’s wishes
as expressed in a Declaration for Mental Health Treatment for no longer than ninety (90)
days.
(7)
The PRA shall monitor the patient and document comments and/or recommendations in the
patient’s medical record. The PRA may, if indicated, request that two (2) physicians or a
physician with expertise in psychiatry by training, education, or experience and a
psychologist with health service provider designation reassess the patient to determine
whether the patient still lacks capacity no more frequently than every two (2) weeks during
the same admission.
(8)
The authority of the Declaration for Mental Health Treatment and/or the authority of the TRC
expires if the patient gains capacity to provide informed consent. Informed consent shall be
obtained from the patient as required by Rules 0940-01-02-.04 and 0940-01-02-.06 before
further administration of psychotropic medication, provision of physical treatment, and/or
release of information.
PROCEDURES FOR PRESCRIPTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF
CHAPTER 0940-01-02
PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS AT MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTES
(9)
If the patient continues to lack capacity for thirty (30) days, the PRA shall advise the Chief
Executive Officer or designee of the need for a conservator to give informed consent for the
patient. The Chief Executive Officer or designee shall proceed under authority of T.C.A. Title
33 to obtain a limited conservator for the patient.
(a)
If conservatorship proceedings are initiated within ninety (90) days after psychotropic
medication, physical treatment, and/or release of information was authorized by the
TRC, the psychotropic medication, physical treatment, and/or release of information
may continue until a conservator is appointed or the patient no longer lacks capacity.
(b)
If conservatorship proceedings are not initiated within ninety (90) days after
psychotropic medication, physical treatment, and/or release of information was
authorized by the TRC, such psychotropic medication, physical treatment, and/or
release of information shall terminate no later than ninety (90) days after it was
authorized by the TRC. The patient may not be medicated and/or treated and
information may not be released, except in emergency situations under Rule 0940-01-
02-.07 or in accordance with the provisions of the patient’s Declaration for Mental
Health Treatment, until a conservator is appointed or the patient no longer lacks
capacity.