SECTION 415.3. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings:

(1) Accepted guidelines--The Texas Implementation of Medication Algorithms (TIMA) or an alternative guideline formally approved in writing by the TDMHMR medical director. In cases in which none are formally approved, current professionally recognized clinical guidelines or accepted standards of care are considered the accepted guidelines.

(2) Child psychiatrist--A physician who is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and holds a subspecialty certificate in child and adolescent psychiatry, or who is board eligible, i.e., has an active approved application on file in the board office, or who is currently in training in an approved residency and is supervised by a board eligible or board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist.

(3) DSM--The current edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Press.

(4) Legally authorized representative (LAR)--A person authorized by law to act on behalf of an individual with regard to a matter described in this subchapter, who may be a parent, guardian, or managing conservator of a minor, or the guardian of an adult.

(5) Local authority (LA)--The entity designated by TDMHMR to plan, facilitate, coordinate, and ensure the provision of services to individuals with mental illness or mental retardation.

(6) Medication error--Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional.

(7) Physician--A doctor of medicine or osteopathy who holds a current license or institutional permit to practice medicine in Texas.

(8) Plan of care--The written document specifying how comprehensive care of the person with mental illness or mental retardation is to be carried out (sometimes called the "multidisciplinary treatment plan" or "interdisciplinary plan of care").

(9) Polypharmacy--Concurrent use of more than one psychoactive medication having identical or very similar mechanisms of action.

(10) Prescribing professional--A physician or other health care professional who, as authorized by statute, may prescribe under the supervision of a physician.

(11) PRN--As needed (pro re nata).

(12) Psychiatric emergency--A situation in which, in the opinion of the physician, it is immediately necessary to administer medication to a patient to ameliorate the signs and symptoms of that patient's mental illness and to prevent:

(A) imminent probable death or substantial bodily harm to the patient because the patient:

(i) overtly or continually is threatening or attempting to commit suicide or serious bodily harm; or

(ii) is behaving in a manner that indicates that the patient is unable to satisfy the patient's need for nourishment, essential medical care, or self-protection; or

(B) imminent physical or emotional harm to others, because of threats, attempts, or other acts the patient makes or commits.

(13) Psychiatrist--A physician who is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or who is board eligible, i.e., has an active approved application on file in the board office, or a physician who is currently in training in such a program and is supervised by a board eligible or board certified psychiatrist.

(14) Psychoactive medication--Medication whose primary intended therapeutic effect is to treat or ameliorate the signs or symptoms of mental disorder or to modify mood, affect, perception, or behavior, consistent with THSC, Chapter 574, Subchapter G, §574.101.

(15) Service setting--A state mental health facility, state mental retardation facility, a local authority (LA) site, or a service site contracted to one of these entities.

(16) Team--The patient, patient's LAR, and with the patient's consent, the patient's family members, and the group of professionals and direct care workers responsible for the care of the patient, sometimes called the "multidisciplinary team" or "interdisciplinary team."

Source Note: The provisions of this §415.3 adopted to be effective August 31, 2004, 29 TexReg 8325