ITP updates are completed at 30-day intervals based on assessment of the patient s emotional, physical, social and psychological status and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the current plan. A 5-bed Women s Wing is also available on 9B to offer specialized care of the female veteran. A member of the nursing staff serves as an individual coordinator with responsibilities for assessment, documentation, and initiating updates of the ITP as indicated. Nursing staff participates as an integral part of the team and provides unique input into the patient s treatment plan. A variety of organized therapeutic activities are utilized to improve the patient s social, emotional, and psychological functioning including structured scheduled occupational and recreational therapy activities, group therapies, medication education and other nursing activity groups including behavioral approaches and expectations, and the Activities and Responsibilities Level System.
Individual therapy is provided to appropriate patients as determined by the physician and therapist.
Medication stabilization at the lowest beneficial dosage level is given priority attention. Clozaril therapy is available for patients with lengthy stay and resistant schizophrenic symptoms that are evaluated and determined appropriate for this intervention. The Clozaril program was begun in August 1992. Standards, structure and evaluation are provided by a national program. This interdisciplinary approach is designed to facilitate the patient s interactions, participation in activities, and transfer or discharge to a less protective and restrictive environment.