High Risk Patient Care
" I'm afraid my teen will run away."
Health
care reform has made acute care stays for children and adolescents
extremely brief. At times, families are forced to seek another
level of care, such as residential before their child is clinically
stable. Selecting a treatment center is difficult and stressful,
especially when a decision must be made in just a few days.
In response to this trend, Tampa Bay Academy has implemented
an intensive treatment approach to ensure the safety and clinical
stability of each patient.
Our philosophy on dealing with runaway behavior
The
majority of our patients have had previous hospitalizations
and prior unsuccessful attempts at treatment. The typical patient
at Tampa Bay Academy has had a history of running away from
home primarily for the following reasons: power struggles, avoidance
of healing with issues, fear of intimacy and bonding, and conflict
with authority figures. Our philosophy at Tampa Bay Academy
is to provide patients with a less restrictive setting which
allows kids to develop internal controls, and reinforces their
ability to resist temptation to run away. Running away is symbolic
for the patient, and presents Tampa Bay Academy with the opportunity
to address appropriate issues. We believe that by guiding patients
through their development of problem solving skills, upon discharge
each is better prepared to face the challenges of every day
life.
Therapeutic Interventions
Increased Staff
Our physicians may order patients to be under "Close Observations." Specific
staff members with be assigned to provide levels of observation
which may include;
- One-to-One; the patient must be within arms reach of staff
at all times,
- Constant Visual; the patient must be within eyesight of
staff at all times,
- 15 Minute Checks; staff must assess and document on the
patient every 15 minutes.
- Staff escort between buildings.
Nursing staff re-evaluates each patient on Close Observation
every 24 hours to determine the need for continuation.
Hall Lock
There are times when the treatment team feels
it is necessary to have the patients remain in their small
community and not leave their unit. Clinical staff and Educational
staff process with them until they once again build trust and
support for each other, and recommit to their treatment, allowing
them full use of the campus.
Increased Frequency of Therapeutic Sessions
Similar to acute care, patients can be seen
daily by their therapist and doctor for individual therapy.
The frequency of sessions may increase or decrease depending
upon the patient's acuity level.
Critical Case Reviews
Treatment team members meet within 24 hours
to discuss emergency treatment plans designed to prevent "high
risk" situations from occurring. Physicians at Tampa Bay Academy
are employed full time so this allows for a quicker response
time.
