The Mass Medical Society wishes to be recorded in support of
H.3204, An Act Relative to Psychotropic Medication. This bill would allow health care facilities
to administer a scheduled
psychotropic medication without prior written informed consent in the following
instances:
- In the case of an
admission of a resident to a facility from an inpatient hospital in which
the resident had been prescribed and was receiving psychotropic
medications pursuant to a valid informed consent, or when a facility is
not able to obtain an informed consent in writing prior to or at the time
of admission to the facility; or
- In emergency situations,
as defined by the Department of Public Health; or
- In the case of residents
on hospice care who need the immediate administration of psychotropic
medication to prevent extreme distress, discomfort and /or pain.
In cases where the patient was discharged from an inpatient
hospital and in emergency situations, the facility would have to obtain verbal
informed consent prior to administration, and written informed consent as soon
as practicable, but no later than 3 consecutive calendar days, following
administration of a scheduled psychotropic medication. If written informed
consent cannot be obtained within the three-day period the dosage would have to
be reduced in a clinically appropriate manner and documented to terminate the
psychotropic medication.
H.3204 puts forth a reasonable plan to ensure that newly-admitted
or re-admitted residents to long-term care facilities do not experience
disruptions in the administration of psychotropic medications and to ensure
appropriate documentation and follow up by the admitting facility in a timely
manner.
The MMS encourages the Committee on Mental Health, Substance
Use and Recovery to report H.3204 out of committee favorably.
