SECTION 749.1611. If my agency employs or contracts with a health-care professional who prescribes psychotropic medications to a child in care, what are the requirements for evaluating whether a child should continue taking a psychotropic medication?

(a) If a child takes psychotropic medications, the prescribing health-care professional must evaluate and document in the child's medication record a description of the child's response to the medication and an assessment of its effectiveness and the appropriateness of continuing the medication on at least a quarterly basis. The written evaluation must include any reasons for discontinuing the medication.

(b) If the health-care professional decides that he can evaluate the appropriateness of continuing the medication without seeing the child, you do not have to schedule an appointment for the evaluation.

(c) The health-care professional must consider the target symptoms and treatment goals in evaluating the child's use of psychotropic medications.

(d) The health-care professional must document whether the child needs to continue taking the medication. You must document the health-care professional's decision in the child's record.

(e) If the health-care professional does not substantiate the effectiveness of a specific psychotropic medication within 90 days, the health-care professional must provide a written rationale for continuing the medication for an additional period. The continuation of the medication may not exceed an additional 90 days (for a total of 180 days) if the health-care professional does not substantiate effectiveness. A copy of the written rationale must be documented in the child's record.

Source Note: The provisions of this §749.1611 adopted to be effective January 1, 2007, 31 TexReg 7469; transferred effective March 9, 2018, as published in the Texas Register February 16, 2018, 43 TexReg 909