What is Ironwoods policy on administering prescribed medications?
For children requiring pharmacological treatment of psychiatric and mental health problems, Ironwood offers the services of a consulting psychiatrist and on-site psychiatric nurse. The psychiatrist works collaboratively with Ironwood therapists and staff in the conservative use of medication to alleviate symptoms that may otherwise hinder the child’s progress, and the psychiatric nurse oversees a monthly medication clinic and follows each child individually from week to week, to ensure that benefits are obtained with a minimum of side effects. All staff is educated regarding psychotropic medication, and both the psychiatrist and nurse are available on-call to address questions and concerns. It is Ironwood’s policy to use psychotropic medication only when less restrictive alternatives have been tried and failed or are diagnostically eliminated. All decisions regarding medication are made cautiously and with parental parent collaboration. In many cases, we are able to discontinue or redu
