nurse role in outpatient mental health clinic

[Morgan314]

How many patients can a psychiatrist/nurse practitioner see in an hour? In our rural outpatient mental health clinic, the MD/NP are being asked to see patients for 15 minute appts for returning patients, and 1 hour for an initial evaluation. 4 patients/hour. Many of these patients have poor reading and communication skills, many are on 2-6 medications so time is spent reviewing meds, writing prescriptions, gathering samples or meds supplied for them through the indigent med program, and since psych meds cause weight gain and physical issues, time is needed to check vs & weight, and provide education. Is 15 minutes a realistic amount of time to see a psychiatric patient? Also, what would the RN in this setting be expected to do when she is already handling calls for refills, managing the Patients Assistance Program, holding group education sessions, and attending to constant interruptions from other calls and situations requiring her attention? Also, any advice for time management and keeping up with documentation while multitasking and not being able to carry out & document one task because of having too many things going on at once?

[elkpark]

In my experience in a few different states, 15 minutes for med management appointments is pretty standard. I know one psychiatrist in private practice who schedules people every 10 minutes!!

I'm not saying I think that's a good idea, just that it is the unfortunate reality at this point in time.

[Guest717236]

Hi Morgan,

Wow, quite a busy clinic! I am interested to know how, in the

time frame you describe above, the Doctor handles

one or more emergency situations.

If a scheduled client presents psychotic, that "lets see them

every 15 minutes" plan is history. If your office does not have

a plan you need one fast. Patients can go off their medication,

or present with a major life change that now they are feeling

unsafe. It was not unusual in our practice to have more than

one crisis situation in a scheduled day.

Perhaps a staff meeting to evaluate if your practice has grown

enough to add a secretary to answer phone etc, or another

nurse if funds available........

I worked on 2 crisis intervention teams in 2 different busy cities.

If you would still like suggestions for time mgmt, please feel free to pm me.:balloons: